G.D. Spradlin, Prolific Character Actor, Dies at 90

G.D. was a top notch character that usually played the heavy oh so well.

New York Times

G. D. Spradlin, whose experience as a corporate lawyer, independent oilman and rancher influenced his nuanced portrayals of authority figures in more than 70 films and television shows, including “The Godfather: Part II” and “Apocalypse Now,” died on Sunday at his cattle ranch in San Luis Obispo, Calif. He was 90.

His grandson Justin Demko confirmed the death.
Over a 30-year career, Mr. Spradlin became one of Hollywood’s most prolific character actors, using his dignified bearing to portray forceful characters like presidents, senators, preachers, doctors, military officers, athletic coaches, a sheriff, a police chief, a chief executive and a newspaper editor.

In “The Godfather: Part II” (1974) he played Pat Geary, the corrupt United States senator who defies the Mafia boss Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, telling Corleone he intends to “squeeze” him. As punishment, Geary later wakes up to find himself drenched in a dead prostitute’s blood.

Five years later, in “Apocalypse Now,” Mr. Spradlin played the Army general who sends Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) into the jungle to find and kill Marlon Brando’s Colonel Kurtz.

More here

Here G.D. plays the head coach in North Dallas Forty

A Time to Kill, a father’s justice, suspense thriller

This 1996 film directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, Samuel L. Jackson, Ashley Judd, Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, and the always terrific Kevin Spacey tells the story the of a father out for revenge for the rape and attempted murder of his young daughter.

This film isn’t shown much on regular TV and I think it doesn’t meet PC standards. Nonetheless, it’s a very compelling movie that’s well worth the watch.

12 Angry Men, in the wake of Casey Anthony trial, well worth getting DVD

This 1957 film directed by the great Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, E.G. Marshal and Jack Klugman has been one of my favorite films for years.

However, in the wake of the Casey Anthony trial, this movie should take on a renewed significance and needs to be watched.

Like Anthony, a young man is on trial for the murder and faces the electric chair if convicted of the crime. But, unlike Anthony, this case dealt with witnesses as well as circumstantial evidence.

What happens next in the jury room is the utmost in drama performed by an ensemble cast of finest actors in the business. A cross section of society is reduced to 12 men each carrying their own agendas and prejudices, but still having the responsibility to come together to determine a man’s fate.

Go get it.

You won’t be disappointed and maybe afterwards you may look at Casey Anthony a little differently.

1776, a fun musical and teaches more history than the schools

I remember seeing this film on a class trip in 1972. I’ve made it my business to see it every July 4 ever since.




In this scene Thomas Jefferson had to remove language abolishing slavery otherwise the South would kill the Declaration of Independence.