Posted on 09/21/2017 12:54:43 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj
Bernie Casey: NFL star and actor dies at 78
Bernie Casey, the ex-American Football player who became the first black actor to play James Bond's CIA ally Felix Leiter, has died in Los Angeles at 78.
The actor, who played Leiter opposite Sir Sean Connery in 1983's Never Say Never Again, had other roles in Boxcar Bertha and Revenge of the Nerds.
....
Born in 1939 in West Virginia, Casey spent six seasons as a wide receiver with the San Francisco 49ers.
But he gave up the sport at 30 to focus on acting, making his film debut in 1969's Guns of the Magnificent Seven.
His other credits include The Man Who Fell to Earth, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and blaxploitation spoof I'm Gonna Git You Sucka.
To many, though, he is best known for playing Felix Leiter in "rogue Bond" Never Say Never Again, reportedly at Sir Sean's instigation.
It is said the star felt casting a black actor would help audiences remember a character who usually failed to make much of an impression. ...
Casey, who died in hospital on Tuesday after a brief illness, was also a published poet and a well-regarded painter.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Bernie Casey died on the same day as Jake LaMotta (Tuesday). Enjoyed his work, thought he did great as Felix Leiter opposite Sean Connery. RIP.
Quit the game at age 29 when NFL players were paid well but not like today. Gotta respect that. He may have been smarter than many others. Good looks don’t hurt.
My first thought of Bernie was him in Spies Like Us.
Thanks for that pic. :)
Lamda Lamda Lamda will never forget. R.I.P.
Bernie used to do a great deal of film work in the 70’s.
I hadn’t thought of him in some time.
Fred Williamson is another from that era.
He made a lot of Blaxploitation type films some I believe with Pam Grier. Williamson was notorious for his vanity.
He once said he had a goal of having a child with a girl from every different race. I don’t know if he ever ‘achieved’ his goals.
Colonel Rhumbus, from Spies Like Us. I was just telling my wife about Bernie Casey the other day. I enjoyed just about everything I saw him in.
Spender from the Martian Chronicles miniseries on NBC.
An episode of The Streets Of San Francisco or two.
RIP Bernie.
They're my theme music. Every hero's gotta have some.
Heck, he’d only need 5 women to accomplish that goal. ;-D
Oh my gosh, I never knew that was him - and I always enjoyed that stupid movie!
Forgot to ping you to the sad news.
"How much for one rib?"
Sharkey’s Machine was the first one I thought of. No idea why. I haven’t seen that movie in probably 20 years. RIP
“I don’t know if he ever ‘achieved’ his goals.”
Nobody knows. Doubtful he did . . .
Bernie was great in “Spies Like Us”.
I like that they put a sound effect on his salute.
I remembered he did that work.
When the gargoyle appears at the foot of the bed in the cheap motel.....
Like a lot of players from his day he probably made more in pension checks every year than he did while playing.
He had a great (but short) role as U.N. Jefferson, the national fraternity president of Lambda Lambda Lambda.
Loved that movie!
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