Sonny Landham - A Life Of Action And Public Service
Sonny Landham, a person whose life story certainly had its share of unexpected turns, was a well-known face in movies, particularly those that called for a strong presence. He was an American performer who showed up in motion pictures like the action-packed "48 Hrs." and the science fiction thriller "Predator." His passing, which occurred on a Thursday, the seventeenth of August in 2017, was due to congestive heart failure, a condition where his heart had trouble pumping enough blood, as reported by the Associated Press. His sister, Dawn Boehler, shared this news with the public, explaining that he passed away while at a hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. It's almost, you know, a quiet end for someone who played such loud roles on screen.
Beyond his work in front of the camera, Sonny Landham also made efforts to get involved in public life, seeking roles in government within Kentucky. He even sought positions like the state's top leader and a seat in the legislative body. These aspirations, as a matter of fact, show a different side to the person known for his tough-guy roles. His life, from his family roots in Native American traditions to his time serving in the armed forces, was quite full of experiences and moments, both when he was working in the entertainment business and when he was not.
He was, in a way, a performer with a notable physical build and a voice that carried a lot of sound and presence. Sonny Landham often took on parts that reflected his Native American heritage. His initial big chance in popular movies came with a small acting job as a police officer in a subway scene. This was in Walter Hill's film about street groups, "The Warriors," from 1979. In that scene, he ended up having his legs caught when a character, Michael Beck, threw a baseball bat at him. After that, he took on other smaller acting jobs, building up his experience in the entertainment field.
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Table of Contents
- Sonny Landham - A Biography of a Performer
- The Acting Career of Sonny Landham
- How Did Sonny Landham Get His Start in Film?
- Sonny Landham's Memorable Roles and Physical Presence
- Beyond the Big Screen - What Other Ventures Did Sonny Landham Pursue?
- The Later Years and Passing of Sonny Landham
Sonny Landham - A Biography of a Performer
Sonny Landham, a person whose life journey was quite something, was born on the eleventh day of February in 1941, in a place called Canton, Georgia. He was, you know, a descendant of two significant Native American peoples, the Cherokee and the Seminole nations. This connection to his heritage was, in a way, a part of who he was and something that often found its way into the types of characters he would portray on screen. His family, like many others during that time, faced very difficult times because of the Great Depression. This meant they had to manage their money and resources with great care, all in an effort to keep their place in the ordinary working families of the time. It was a period that shaped many lives, and his family's experience was no different, teaching them, perhaps, a lot about careful living.
Sonny Landham's Early Life and Roots
His full name was Sonny Landham III, and he was an American performer who made a mark in the world of motion pictures. The details of his early life, especially how his family managed through the challenging economic period of the Great Depression, suggest a background where resilience and practicality were important. This foundation, you know, might have contributed to the strong, grounded presence he often brought to his acting roles. He wasn't just a face on the screen; he had a background that, in some respects, was quite rich with personal history and the experiences of his people.
Personal Details and Bio Data of Sonny Landham
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sonny Landham III |
| Date of Birth | February 11, 1941 |
| Place of Birth | Canton, Georgia, United States |
| Date of Passing | August 17, 2017 |
| Age at Passing | 76 years old |
| Cause of Passing | Congestive Heart Failure |
| Place of Passing | Lexington, Kentucky, United States |
| Heritage | Cherokee and Seminole Nations |
| Children | William, Priscilla, Mo |
| Known For | Acting in "48 Hrs.," "Predator," "Lock Up" |
| Other Ventures | Ran for Governor and Senate in Kentucky |
The Acting Career of Sonny Landham
Sonny Landham's work in the performing arts spanned a range of projects, from small beginnings to more recognized roles in action films. He was a person who could take on parts that required a certain kind of physical presence and a commanding way of speaking. His path into the film business, you know, had some interesting stops along the way. Before he became known for his more mainstream appearances, he actually worked as a performer in adult films, which is a detail from the early part of his acting path. This is a fact that, apparently, is part of his story and shows the varied nature of his early career choices.
How Did Sonny Landham Get His Start in Film?
His entry into the wider world of cinema began with a small acting job as a police officer. This scene, where he portrayed a cop, was in the 1979 film "The Warriors," directed by Walter Hill. In this particular moment, his character, who was chasing someone, ended up having his legs caught by a thrown baseball bat, causing him to fall. This was, in a way, his first real brush with mainstream movie audiences, even if it was just a quick appearance. After this initial role, he continued to take on other minor parts, gradually building up his experience and presence in the industry. It was a slow but steady climb, basically, into the kind of roles he would later become more recognized for.
Sonny Landham's Memorable Roles and Physical Presence
Sonny Landham was certainly known for his ability to portray tough characters, often using his strong physical build and voice that carried a lot of sound and presence. He showed up in films like "48 Hrs." where he played the character Billy Bear, and then, of course, he was the character who followed things, named Billy Sole, in the 1987 action movie "Predator." This role in "Predator" was, you know, quite significant, and his character's end in that film is often remembered by fans. He also took on the part of 'Chink' Weber in the film "Lock Up" from 1989. These roles really highlighted his particular style and the kind of characters he was good at bringing to life on the screen.
His performances in movies like "48 Hrs." and "Predator" established him as a performer who could bring a certain intensity to the screen. The character of Billy Sole in "Predator" is, you know, particularly well-remembered, and the way that character met his end in the movie is often talked about by those who love the film. It was, in some respects, a glorious way for a character to leave the story, cementing his place in the minds of many who watched it. He was, apparently, a brawny performer who worked steadily, often taking on parts that required a strong, no-nonsense attitude.
Beyond the Big Screen - What Other Ventures Did Sonny Landham Pursue?
Beyond his work as an actor, Sonny Landham also made efforts to get involved in the world of politics. He sought a public office like the state's top leader and a seat in the legislative body in Kentucky. These were, you know, significant steps for someone known primarily for their acting. During his attempts to gain these positions, he based his efforts on being against a change to the law that supported the Kentucky family court system. He stated that his own difficult experiences with the family court had convinced him that it was more for the benefit of those who practice law rather than for the good of families or children. This was, in a way, a very personal reason for his political involvement, showing that his concerns went beyond the entertainment business.
The Later Years and Passing of Sonny Landham
The later part of Sonny Landham's life saw him continue to be a subject of public interest, both for his past work and, eventually, for the news of his passing. His death marked the end of a life that, in many ways, was quite full of varied experiences, from the bright lights of Hollywood to the earnest efforts in public service. It's important to remember that, you know, even tough-guy actors face the natural course of life and its end.
When Did Sonny Landham Pass Away and What Was the Cause?
Sonny Landham, the performer who was perhaps best known for his part in the film "Predator," passed away on a Thursday, the seventeenth of August, in 2017. The reason for his passing was congestive heart failure, a medical condition where his heart had trouble pumping enough blood to meet his body's needs. This information was shared by the Associated Press, and his sister, Dawn Boehler, confirmed that he passed away while at a hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. It was, you know, a quiet end for a person who had played such loud and memorable parts on the big screen.
He was 76 years old when he passed. His sister, Dawn Boehler, was the one who told the Associated Press about his passing, explaining that it happened in a medical facility in Lexington, Kentucky. He left behind his children, William, Priscilla, and Mo, who are his direct family members. The question of how this performer, who had so much experience, met his end, was answered by the news that his passing was due to a condition affecting his heart. His role and the way his character met a glorious end in the 1987 film "Predator" are often remembered, as are his appearances in other movies like "48 Hrs." It's a reminder that even those who seem larger than life on screen are, in fact, just people.
The news of Sonny Landham's passing was, you know, spread by his sister, Dawn Boehler, who shared the information with the Associated Press. She confirmed that he died from congestive heart failure on that Thursday, while he was receiving care at a hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. It's a sad but common reality that, eventually, everyone faces the end of their time. The performer, known for his strong presence in films like "48 Hrs." and "Predator," had reached the age of 76 when he passed away on August 17, 2017. The cause was, again, congestive heart failure.
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