Bo Hopkins was a character actor known for his performances in movies and TV shows including “American Graffiti,” “The Wild Bunch,” and “Dynasty.”
- Died: May 28, 2022 (Who else died on May 28?)
- Details of death: Died at a hospital in Van Nuys, California after suffering a heart attack at the age of 84.
- We invite you to share condolences for Bo Hopkins in our Guest Book.
Acting career
Born William Mauldin Hopkins, Hopkins adopted the stage name Bo after playing Bo Decker in an Off-Broadway production of “Bus Stop.” He began guesting on TV shows in the mid-1960s, with early appearances on shows including “The Virginian,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “The Mod Squad,” and “Hawaii Five-O.” In movies, Hopkins became a favorite of director Sam Peckinpah, who case him in three films beginning with “The Wild Bunch,” in which Hopkins played outlaw Crazy Lee. He later appeared in Peckinpah’s “The Getaway” and “The Killer Elite.” For many, Hopkins is best known for his role in “American Graffiti,” playing Pharoahs gang leader “Little Joe” Young. He went on to play moonshiner Roy Boone in “White Lightning” and CIA agent Tex in “Midnight Express,” among many movie roles. On TV, Hopkins starred in the medical drama “Doc Elliott” and played Matthew Blaisdel in the first season of “Dynasty.” He had a recurring role on “The Rockford Files” and made other TV appearances including “The A Team,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Fall Guy,” and “Matlock.” Hopkins’ most recent role was Papaw Vance in 2020’s “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Tributes to Bo Hopkins
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
