Sam-Bottoms-Obituary

Sam Bottoms

Obituary

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Sam Bottoms, who had small but memorable roles in the 1970s classics "Apocalypse Now" and "The Last Picture Show," has died. He was 53.

Bottoms, one of four actor-brothers, died Tuesday of brain cancer at his home in Los Angeles, wife Laura Bickford said.

In "Apocalypse Now," Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 Vietnam War epic, Bottoms played pro surfer-turned-soldier Lance B. Johnson, who takes to the waves amid bombs and bullets under the orders of the maniacal, surfing-mad Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore played by Robert Duvall.

"He was a handsome, tall young man and very sweet-natured and seemed to be right for that part," Coppola said Wednesday. "Sam was a good actor. Of course, he comes from a family that had a lot of theatrical activity."

In his 1971 film debut, a 15-year-old Bottoms starred alongside his best-known brother, Timothy, in "The Last Picture Show," playing a mute and mentally handicapped boy forced by friends to l ose his virginity to a prostitute.

Sam Bottoms said he was in Texas to visit his brother, who was the film's lead, when director Peter Bogdanovich saw him and cast him in the part.

Brothers Joseph and Ben are also actors.

Sam Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara in 1955, the third of four sons of sculptor James "Bud" Bottoms. He began acting in local theater at age 10.

After his 1970s films, Sam Bottoms went on to appear in the Clint Eastwood westerns "The Outlaw Josey Wales" and "Bronco Billy," and Coppola's 1987 Vietnam film "Gardens of Stone."

He more recently appeared in the films "Seabiscuit" and "Shopgirl."

He is survived by his three brothers, his parents and his wife.


Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press

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Not sure what to say?

He was so good in Josey Wales, perhaps the best in the movie. During the short time he was in it, he truly grabbed my attention as an actor. I'm so late in knowing that he had passed, and I am so sorry. He was a joy to watch.

So young. It breaks my heart.

a great friend, rest in peace!

RIP

LOVELY SWEET SOUL, JUST SAW ON JOSEY WALES.
,he's heart touching. BLESSING...

RIP

So sad to lose such a fine actor in the prime of his life.