Hey folks, Quint here with some sad news. Character actor William Hootkins died earlier this week of pancreatic cancer. I'll always remember his bit role in STAR WARS, playing Porkins (Red Six), the doomed Rebel pilot that thought he was alright before exploding. Of course his work in FLASH GORDON and BATMAN (where he was perhaps the greasiest looking dirty cop in the whole of the '80s) was good, too... But I'd say it's a toss up between STAR WARS and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK where my first memory of Hootkins comes from. He was the Army representative ("Fools. Bureaucratic fools...")that sent Indy out on his quest for the Lost Ark of the Covenant. I remember that he always kept interrupting his thin, sterner looking counterpart, getting dirty looks the whole time. He was one of those that never stood out as being a recognizable character actor to me, but now that I look back at his filmography I realize just how much he invaded my childhood. My thoughts go out to his friends, family and fans.
Died of pancreatic cancer - he was 58.
Lots of roles:
Porkins (Star Wars)
Munson (Flash Gordon)
Major Eaton (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
Harry Howler (Superman IV)
Eckhardt (Batman) - the one I'll always remember
...and countless others. Let's show him some love on the site!
