Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Defensive Linemen in Hollywood: Jack Youngblood

Jack Youngblood's Hollywood career was short, though it could have been much longer had he landed the role in Lonesome Dove he was up for. But, he lost out to major Hollywood stars, so he likely doesn't feel too bad about it. In the 1990s, he was slated to play Buffalo Bill Cody in a small independent film that never got made.

However, he was a co-star in two made-for-TV films, C.A.T. Squad:  Stalking Danger and C.A.T. Squad:  Python Wolf.  He played John Sommers, the best weapons and munitions man in the business, meaning the U.S. Secret Service. The films were directed by William Friedkin of The Exorcist fame. For his work, Youngblood was nominated for an Emmy as best Supporting Actor for his work in Python Wolf.

 Stills from Stalking Danger:

   


Python Wolf:



Clips from the film:

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Monday, February 2, 2015

Defensive Lineman and Hollywood: Howie Long

Howie Long spent 13 seasons as a Radier, 12 of them in Los Angeles. He got a couple of bit roles in films while he was still playing football. In 1984 he played a groom in In 'n Out and a few years later, on the The Highwayman (TV Series), he played a clone called "Mac".

This "Mac" would twitch his eyes really fast:

After his playing career Long starred in several shows, two of the very high profile: 1996's Broken Arrow and 1998's Firestorm  which Long was the leading man.




Firestorm:
 

Next up for Long was playing a black-hat Cowboy in Dollar for the Dead, at TV movie that featured Emilio Estevez. 

 


 Long did some voice-over work after that for a couple of cartoons and in 3000 Miles to Graceland, but one interesting role only remains in the Director's cut of That Thing You Do in which Long plays Tom Hank's boyfriend. It's a small role, but served as the reveal that Hank's character "Mr. White" was gay. It's q good scene and we highly recommend that you buy the diector's cut in that there are several good scenes worth seeing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

In 2001 Long played "Jack" in 3000 Miles to Graceland
Trailer for 3000 Miles to Graceland