Born: December 23, 1936 – Died: June 23, 2023
Frederic Forrest, the acclaimed character actor, was born in the charming town of Waxahachie, Texas, just two days before Christmas in 1936. This Texan talent, hailing from the same hometown as director Robert Benton, harbored a deep desire to pursue acting from a young age. Despite initial nerves that led him to flee school play auditions, Frederic's passion prevailed. He ventured to Texas Christian University, where he combined his major in radio and television studies with a minor in theater arts. His journey took him from Texas to New York, where he honed his craft under renowned acting mentors and ultimately made his indelible mark in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career
Growing up in Waxahachie, Frederic Forrest's early years were marked by his unwavering determination to become an actor despite initial setbacks. He pursued his education at Texas Christian University, where he majored in radio and television studies while immersing himself in theater arts. This decision laid the foundation for his future success.
Frederic's journey to stardom began in New York, where he trained under renowned acting mentors, including his time as an observer at the prestigious Actors Studio. During this period, he supported himself as a page at NBC Studios in Rockefeller Plaza, a testament to his resilience.
His first professional break came with the Off-Broadway production of "Viet-Rock," an anti-war play featuring music, which marked his theatrical debut. Frederic's dedication led him to join avant-garde director Tom O'Horgan's stock company company at La Mama, where he appeared in notable productions such as "Futz."
However, it was his role as "Chef" in Francis Ford Coppola's iconic film "Apocalypse Now" that catapulted Frederic Forrest to stardom. His performance garnered critical acclaim, earning him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He also received recognition from the National Society of Film Critics for both "Apocalypse Now" and another hit that year.
In his personal life, Frederic Forrest was married to Marilu Henner from 1980 to 1983. Beyond acting, he was known for his distinctive Iron Cross tattoo. While his career was marked by significant achievements, he remained a somewhat enigmatic figure in Hollywood.
Frederic's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry lies in his memorable contributions to cinema, particularly in classic films like "Apocalypse Now." He carved a niche for himself as a versatile character actor, and his legacy endures as an actor who left an indelible mark on the silver screen.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | All the King's Men | Willie's Father (as Frederic F. Forrest) |
| 2003 | The Quality of Light | David |
| 2002 | Path to War (TV Movie) | General Earle G. Wheeler |
| 2002 | The House Next Door | Vernon Crank |
| 2000 | Militia | William Fain |
| 2000 | The Spreading Ground | Michael McGivern |
| 2000 | A Piece of Eden | Paulo Tredici |
| 2000 | Shadow Hours | Sean |
| 1999 | Shadow Lake (TV Movie) | Lt. Roy Harman |
| 1999 | Sweetwater (TV Movie) | Alex (present day) |
| 1998 | Implicated | Det. Luddy |
| 1998 | The First 9 1/2 Weeks | David Millman |
| 1998 | Black Thunder | Admiral Pendleton |
| 1998 | Whatever | Mr. Chaminski |
| 1998 | Point Blank | Mac Bradford |
| 1998 | Murphy Brown (TV Series) | Kenny |
| 1998 | Boogie Boy | Edsel Dundee |
| 1997 | One of Our Own | Maj. Ron Bridges |
| 1997 | The End of Violence | Ranger MacDermot |
| 1997 | The Brave | Lou Sr. |
| 1997 | Alone (TV Movie) | Carl |
| 1996 | Crash Dive (Video) | Adm. Pendelton |
| 1996 | Andersonville (TV Mini Series) | Sgt. McSpadden |
| 1996 | Double Jeopardy (TV Movie) | Jack |
| 1995 | One Night Stand | Michael Joslyn |
| 1994 | Lassie | Sam Garland |
| 1994 | Chasers | Duane, Mechanic |
| 1994 | Against the Wall (TV Movie) | Weisbad |
| 1993 | Hidden Fears | Mike |
| 1993 | Precious Victims (TV Movie) | Sheriff Frank Yocom |
| 1993 | Trauma | Dr. Judd |
| 1993 | Falling Down | Surplus Store Owner |
| 1992 | Double Obsession | Paul Harkness |
| 1992 | Rain Without Thunder | Walker Point Warden |
| 1992 | The Habitation of Dragons (TV Movie) | Leonard Tolliver |
| 1992 | Citizen Cohn (TV Movie) | Dashiell Hammett |
| 1992 | The Young Riders (TV Series) | Tommy Urbach |
| 1992 | Twin Sisters (Video) | Delvaux |
| 1990 | Die Kinder (TV Series) | Lomax |
| 1990 | The Two Jakes | Newty |
| 1989 | Music Box | Jack Burke |
| 1989 | Cat Chaser | Nolen Tyner |
| 1989 | I Know My First Name Is Steven (TV Mini Series) | Kenneth Parnell |
| 1989 | Valentino Returns | Sonny Gibbs |
| 1989 | Margaret Bourke-White (TV Movie) | Erskine Caldwell |
| 1989 | Lonesome Dove (TV Mini Series) | Blue Duck |
| 1988 | Gotham (TV Movie) | Father George |
| 1988 | Tucker: The Man and His Dream | Eddie |
| 1988 | Beryl Markham: A Shadow on the Sun (TV Movie) | Raoul Schumacher |
| 1988 | Little Girl Lost (TV Movie) | Tim Brady |
| 1987 | 21 Jump Street (TV Series) | Captain Richard Jenko |
| 1987 | Stacking | Buster McGuire |
| 1986 | Where Are the Children? | Courtney Parrish |
| 1986 | The Deliberate Stranger (TV Mini Series) | Det. Bob Keppel |
| 1986 | American Playhouse (TV Series) | Pap Finn |
| 1985 | Right to Kill? (TV Movie) | Richard Jahnke Sr. |
| 1985 | Return | Brian Stoving |
| 1985 | Quo Vadis? (TV Mini Series) | Petronius |
| 1984 | The Stone Boy | Andy Jansen |
| 1984 | Best Kept Secrets (TV Movie) | Blaise Dietz |
| 1984 | Calamity Jane (TV Movie) | Wild Bill Hickok |
| 1984 | The Parade (TV Movie) | Matt Kirby |
| 1983 | Saigon: Year of the Cat (TV Movie) | Bob Chesneau |
| 1983 | Valley Girl | Steve Richman |
| 1983 | Who Will Love My Children? (TV Movie) | Ivan Fray |
| 1982 | Hammett | Hammett |
| 1981 | One from the Heart | Hank |
| 1979 | The Rose | Dyer |
| 1979 | Survival of Dana (TV Movie) | Mr. Davis (uncredited) |
| 1979 | Apocalypse Now | EN3 Jay 'Chef' Hicks |
| 1979 | Mrs. Columbo (TV Series) | Martin |
| 1979 | Sweepstakes (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1978 | It Lives Again | Eugene Scott |
| 1978 | Ruby and Oswald (TV Movie) | Lee Harvey Oswald |
| 1976 | The Missouri Breaks | Cary |
| 1975 | The Executioner | Scott Allison |
| 1975 | Promise Him Anything (TV Movie) | Paul Hunter |
| 1974 | The Dion Brothers | Russell (Rut) Dion |
| 1974 | Larry (TV Movie) | Larry Herman |
| 1974 | The Conversation | Mark |
| 1973 | The Don Is Dead | Tony Fargo |
| 1972 | When the Legends Die | Tom Black Bull |
| 1969 | Futz | Sugford (as Fred Forrest) |
| 1969 | N.Y.P.D. (TV Series) | Hank |
| 1968 | The Filthy Five | Johnny Longo (as Matt Garth) |
| 1967 | Dark Shadows (TV Series) | Blue Whale customer (uncredited) |
| 1966 | Viet Rock | Unknown |
General:
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
