Clu Gulager, who was a beloved character that appeared in small roles in many highly successful films, has died. He was just past his 94th birthday.Th birthday.
Gulager’s passing was announced by Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, where he made frequent appearances and his films were paid tribute. “Clu Gulager, 1928 – 2022. A beautiful life filled with family, friends, and films, Clu will always have a seat in our front row. We send our love to John, Tom, Diane, and to all the lives he touched.”
There has not been an official cause of death.
Television legend, he first appeared on various series in the late 50s. He starred in Billy the Kid in “The Tall Man”From 1959 to 1962, he starred in 75 episodes. In 1963 – 1968, he starred in 102 episodes of “The Virginian”After having appeared on the show twice previously in guest-starring parts, Emmet Ryker was cast as Emmet. Gulager’s first movie was also his lone performance as a villain in Don Siegel’s 1964 film noir classic “The Killers.”
Since then, he alternated between films and television shows. Gulager appeared on most of the major television series (everything from 1970s to 1990s). “Bonanza”To “Murder, She Wrote”A two-part scary episode of “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color”So called “The Mystery in Dracula’s Castle”). He also made an impression on film, even though he only had a few roles. “The Last Picture Show”And “The Other Side of Midnight.” In the 1980s he had a resurgence as a horror movie staple, including a wonderful supporting turn in Dan O’Bannon’s “Return of the Living Dead,”Along with memorable turns “Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge,” “The Hidden” and 1987’s mutant-cat-running-rampant-on-a-luxury-yacht classic “Uninvited.”
In 2005, Gulager starred in his son John’s debut feature, the gross-out monster movie “Feast.”The making of the movie was captured during season three of reality series “Project Greenlight.” (Truly, a perfect synthesis of the actor’s two worlds!). He went on to star in his son’s two “Feast” sequels, as well as his John’s sequel to Alexandre Aja’s “Piranha 3D,”Of course. “Piranha 3DD.”His final movie role was as the bookstore proprietor who sold Sharon Tate, played by Margot Robbie, a copy Thomas Hardy’s novel. “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” (A decade after Tate’s tragic murder, Roman Polanski would adapt the novel into “Tess,”It was nominated in six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Gulager was remembered for his bright personality, his love for movies and his ability transform the smallest part into something greater than life. He will be missed.
