An American filmmaker and actor, he was born on August 19, 1927, in Beaumont, Texas. Known for his work in Westerns, he frequently collaborated with directors like Sam Peckinpah. He appeared in films such as "The Wild Bunch" and "Ride the High Country." Transitioning to directing, he is acclaimed for the 1975 sci-fi film "A Boy and His Dog," which became a cult classic. His career spanned several decades, leaving a significant mark on the Western genre and independent cinema.