Red West
Biography
Red West, born Robert Gene West on March 8, 1936, in Memphis, Tennessee, was an American actor, film stuntman, and songwriter. The son of Lois and Newton Thomas West, he was a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. West was an excellent athlete, a former United States Marine, a Golden Gloves boxing champion, and played football for his high school and junior college teams. Active in acting and stunt work with sixty-eight known credits, he is perhaps best known to American film audiences for his role as Red in Road House, starring alongside Patrick Swayze. West passed away on July 18, 2017, at the age of eighty-one.
Career overview
Red West was an American actor, film stuntman, and songwriter born Robert Gene West on March 8, 1936, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the son of Lois and Newton Thomas West. Before beginning his career in entertainment, he served as a United States Marine and proved to be an excellent athlete, playing football for his high school and junior college teams as well as competing as a boxer in the Golden Gloves championships. During his youth in Memphis, he was also a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley.
Over the course of his career, West accumulated sixty-eight known acting credits in film and television. He is perhaps best known to American film audiences for his role as Red in the movie Road House, in which he appeared alongside Patrick Swayze. In addition to his on-screen acting performances, West contributed to productions as a film stuntman and applied his talents as a songwriter.
West passed away at the age of eighty-one on July 18, 2017. Throughout his life, he transitioned from his athletic background and military service into a diverse career in the entertainment industry, leaving behind a substantial body of work in television and film.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
73 titles- Elvis Presley: The Searcher (2018) as Self
- The Black Dove (2016) as Detective Randall Hayward
- Rectify (2013) as Taylor
- Safe Haven (2013) as Roger
- At Any Price (2012) as Cliff Whipple
- Father of Invention (2010) as Sam Bergman
- Goodbye Solo (2009) as William
- Glory Road (2006) as Ross Moore
- Forty Shades of Blue (2005) as Duigan
- A Painted House (2003) as Man Discussing Weather (uncredited)
- Above Suspicion (2000) as Officer Ward
- Cookie's Fortune (1999) as Mr. Henderson
- I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) as Paulsen
- The Rainmaker (1997) as Buddy Black
- The P.A.C.K. (1997) as Sheriff Charlie Stone
- Felony (1996) as Chief Edwards
- The Expert (1995) as Judge
- Her Hidden Truth (1995) as Leon Sykes
- Natural Born Killers (1994) as Cowboy Sheriff
- The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag (1992) as Judge
- From the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of One (1992) as Sgt. Bob Maddox
- Prey of the Chameleon (1992) as Pritchard
- Raw Nerve (1991) as Dave
- The Legend Of Grizzly Adams (1991) as Bodine
- Road House (1989) as Red Webster
- Trapper County War (1989) as George
- Once Upon a Texas Train (1988) as Bates Boley
- The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory (1987) as Cockran
- Proud Men (1987) as Cookie
- Charley Hannah (1986) as David 'OO' Buck
- Hard Knox (1984) as Thomas 'Top' Tuttle
- The A-Team (1983) as Lt. Trask
- The A-Team (1983) as Sinclair
- The A-Team (1983) as Sheriff Brooks
- The A-Team (1983) as Red Avory
- Confessions of a Married Man (1983) as Coach
- Will: G. Gordon Liddy (1982) as Kaworski
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Bull
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Billy Cockrell
- Angel City (1980) as Sud
- Coach of the Year (1980) as Superintendant Turner
- The Duke (1979)
- Concrete Cowboys (1979) as Chuck
- Battlestar Galactica (1978) as Marco
- Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976) as Sgt. Micklin
- Walking Tall Part II (1975) as Sheriff Tanner
- Framed (1975) as Mallory
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) as Owner
- Walking Tall (1973) as Sheriff Tanner
- Elvis on Tour (1972) as Self
- Live a Little, Love a Little (1968) as Newspaper Vendor (uncredited)
- Mannix (1967) as Thug (uncredited)
- Clambake (1967) as Ice Cream Vendor (uncredited)
- Spinout (1966) as Shorty's Pit Crew (uncredited)
- Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) as Rusty
- Get Smart (1965) as Balinkov (uncredited)
- The Wild Wild West (1965) as Man #1
- Tickle Me (1965) as Mabel's Boyfriend (uncredited)
- Roustabout (1964) as Carnival Worker (uncredited)
- Viva Las Vegas (1964) as Son of Lone Star State (uncredited)
- The Americanization of Emily (1964) as Soldier (uncredited)
- Arrest and Trial (1963) as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- The Lieutenant (1963) as Marine (uncredited)
- Fun in Acapulco (1963) as Poolside Guest (uncredited)
- It Happened at the World's Fair (1963) as Fred (uncredited)
- Kid Galahad (1962) as Opponent (uncredited)
- Two for the Seesaw (1962) as Party Guest
- Follow That Dream (1962) as Bank Guard (uncredited)
- Wild in the Country (1961) as Hank Tyler (uncredited)
- Flaming Star (1960) as Native American (uncredited)
- Flaming Star (1960) Stunts
- Tall Story (1960) as Basketball Player /Student (uncredited)
- Ice Palace (1960) as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Red West best known for?
Red West is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Rectify (2013), Safe Haven (2013), Glory Road (2006), I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998).
When and where was Red West born?
Red West was born on March 8, 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee. They passed away on July 18, 2017.
How many credits does Red West have?
Red West has accumulated over 73 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1960 to 2018.
What is Red West's background in cinema and television?
Red West, born Robert Gene West on March 8, 1936, in Memphis, Tennessee, was an American actor, film stuntman, and songwriter. The son of Lois and Newton Thomas West, he was a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. West was an excellent athlete, a former United States Marine, a Golden Gloves bo...
Red West by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Arrest and Trial (1963) as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) — aged about 27
- Get Smart (1965) as Balinkov (uncredited) — aged about 29
- Rectify (2013) as Taylor — aged about 77
- Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976) as Sgt. Micklin — aged about 40
- The Wild Wild West (1965) as Man #1 — aged about 29
- The A-Team (1983) as Lt. Trask — aged about 47
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