Veteran Actor G.D. Spradlin dies; played Senator Pat Geary in Godfather II

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-g-d-spradlin-20110726,0,3973610.story?track=rss&dlvrit=53008

G.D. Spradlin dies at 90; veteran character actor

Gervase Duan "G.D." Spradlin, a character actor best known for playing authority figures in television and films, including "The Godfather: Part II" and "Apocalypse Now," has died. He was 90.

Spradlin died of natural causes at his cattle ranch in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, said his grandson, Justin Demko.

A former oil company lawyer and millionaire independent oil producer who didn't begin acting until he was in his 40s, the tall and lean Oklahoma native played his share of doctors, ministers, judges, military officers and historical figures during his more than 30-year acting career.

He portrayed President Johnson in the 1985 TV mini-series "Robert Kennedy & His Times" and President Jackson in the 1986 TV movie "Houston: The Legend of Texas."

He also played an admiral in the 1988 TV mini-series "War and Remembrance" and was a pro football coach in the 1979 film "North Dallas Forty" and a college basketball coach in the 1977 film "One on One."

His breakthrough movie role as a character actor was as corrupt Nevada Sen. Pat Geary in director Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather: Part II" in 1974.
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I recognize the picture

He didn't have too much screen time in GF2, but his performance was one of the highlights of the movie.

Posse Comitatus, sir.

Sheriff Buelton: Did you call me a pussy communist?

...he was your "go to" guy. I hope after reading the bio above that it's not indicative of why he played so many of those characters.

In the parlance of Woody Guthrie, I also hope Mr. Spradlin "had his business fixed right." RIP.

He portrayed the general as a serious, learned, articulate officer. He could have easily gone for the caricature that would become popular in the 80's; the posturing, chest-thumping, tough-talking cartoon general, like the one in "War Games."

I always enjoy his quiet, thoughtful rumination to Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) in that soft, pleasant accent.

"Because there's a conflict in every man's heart, between the good and the evil..."

RIP, G.D. Spradlin...

So much more realistic. How an officer that senior would act.

Contrast Jack Nicholson in Few Good Men - totally unbelievable.

Anything that I ever saw him in, probably many made-for-TV movies, I knew at once that he was up to no good. I guess that means he was a very good actor. He will certainly be missed... :scared:

that was very good...