Born on December 23, 1936, in Waxahachie, Texas, he was an American actor known for his versatile roles in the 1970s and 1980s. He gained critical acclaim for his performance in "Apocalypse Now" (1979) as Chef and earned an Academy Award nomination for "The Rose" (1979). Throughout his career, he appeared in a variety of films, including "The Conversation" (1974) and "Falling Down" (1993). His nuanced performances earned him a respected place in Hollywood before his passing in 2023.