(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Anthony James, the gaunt, rail-thin character actor who memorably appeared in villainous roles on the small and big screens, died this week at the age of 77, published reports say.
James succumbed to cancer on Tuesday, according to an online obituary cited by
The Hollywood Reporter. Anthony James Who Starred in Unforgiven and In the Heat of the Night Dies at 77 https://t.co/3Gjyq9FQu9
— People (@people)
May 28, 2020 The publication noted that James’ career as an instantly recognizable supporting actor was bookended by “In the Heat of the Night” (1967) and “Unforgiven” (1992), both of which won the Oscar for Best Picture.
In the latter film, he is Skinny Dubois, the owner of a saloon and brothel who falls afoul of Clint Eastwood’s retired assassin, William Munny, and meets a violent end. In the raw and racially charged murder mystery “In the Heat of the Night,” James played a bigoted diner cook.
RIP Anthony James pic.twitter.com/0wRuyb1FM2
— CinemaScope 35 (@Cinemascope35)
May 28, 2020 His crowded filmography included parts on television shows such as “Gunsmoke” and “Charlie’s Angels” and films like “Return from Witch Mountain” (1978) and “Blue Thunder” (1983).
James, who also was a poet and an artist, was unmarried.
