William Mauldin Bo Hopkins was an American actor who appeared in over forty films and many television shows between 1969 and 1979, including work alongside popular stars such as Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, and Steve McQueen, to name just a few. Hopkins was born on December 28, 1941 in the small town of Vidalia, Louisiana. He was the son of a construction worker and grew up with dreams of being an entertainer. Remembering Bo Hopkins Biography A Legend of the Silver Screen
Table of Contents
Wiki Biography and more
Bo Hopkins was an American actor. He was perhaps best known for playing important supporting roles in a number of major studio films between 1969 and 1979, and appeared in many other television shows and TV movies. Remembering Bo Hopkins Biography A Legend of the Silver Screen
Bio
William Mauldin Bo Hopkins, Jr. was an American actor. He was perhaps best known for playing important supporting roles in a number of major studio films between 1969 and 1979, and appeared in many other television shows and TV movies. Hopkins was born on May 16, 1939 in Dallas, Texas to William Mauldin Hopkins Sr., a carpenter who worked as a film extra during his younger years and later became a successful real estate developer; and Ruth Eloise (née Smith), an aspiring actress who gave up her career aspirations to marry her husband. He graduated from North Dallas High School where he starred on both their football team as well as their baseball team; he also won awards for track. Remembering Bo Hopkins Biography A Legend of the Silver Screen
Family
Hopkin’s father, Blythewood Bill Buck Hopkins, was a struggling actor in Hollywood who worked as a bartender at Largo. His mother, Dorothy Helton, was an actress from California who left her career to marry Buck. Bo grew up on and off screen with his parents, playing bit parts in many of his father’s films as a child.
Relationship
Actor William Bo Hopkins (August 29, 1938–November 11, 1997) was an American actor. He was perhaps best known for playing important supporting roles in a number of major studio films between 1969 and 1979, and appeared in many other television shows and TV movies. The youngest son in a show business family, he was born in Birmingham, Alabama but raised by his grandparents after his parents’ divorce when he was two years old.
Physical info
160 cm/5’3 , Brown hair and blue eyes. His stature earned him roles as a scrawny, wiry sidekick in many westerns and action films. He was often cast as a henchman to villains such as Lawrence Tierney and Mad Dog Tannen.
Career
Bo Hopkins was born on February 17, 1939 in Abilene, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Angelo State University. After serving two years in Germany as an Army Ranger, he entered college at Sam Houston State University and graduated with a degree in drama and speech. Following graduation, he returned to Europe where he toured with various theatrical companies until returning to Hollywood where he resumed his career as an actor.
Awards
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Shaft’s Big Score, 1972, The Golden Globe Award for New Star of The Year-Male for his role in The Outlaw Josey Wales, 1976, First recipient of that award. He has also received two People’s Choice Awards and one Blockbuster Entertainment Award for his performances on television and film.
Net worth
Bo Hopkins is an American legend and a part of film history. Just how rich is he? Sources estimate that his net worth is over $20 million, accumulated from years in front and behind the camera, plus being one of Hollywood’s biggest heartthrobs.
The Early Years
Despite his first name, Bo was born as William Mauldin Hopkins in Tarboro, North Carolina. The actor’s father abandoned him at an early age and he never knew his mother very well. By his own account he was raised by a loving aunt who encouraged him to pursue a career on stage.
A Few Film Credits
This Is My Body (1969), The Great Bank Robbery (1969), Rio Lobo (1970), Candy (1968), Stand Up and Be Counted (1972) , Welcome Home, Soldier Boys (1972) & Angel in My Pocket (1973). He’s probably best known for his roles in Walking Tall, Walking Tall Part 2 and Walking Tall: The Final Chapter. I bet you didn’t know he was on Little House on The Prairie.
Final Years
Beginning in 1977, his career faltered and he appeared only occasionally in both film and television. His last screen appearance was as Junior Johnson in a 1980 episode of NBC’s Little House on the Prairie. He made guest appearances on other shows such as Death Valley Days, The High Chaparral, Gunsmoke, McCloud and Dynasty. He died in 1986 at age 53 at a hospital in Fort Myers, Florida from heart failure while battling cancer.
Bo Hopkins Is Gone But Not Forgotten
Many will remember Bo Hopkins as a talented actor who starred in such films as The Getaway, Family Plot, and Logan’s Run. However, many don’t know that he had also become a force in Hollywood with his insights on acting.
Q. & A.
An Interview with William Mauldin Bo Hopkins from John Brennan: Bo, you were one of my favorite actors growing up. I want to say thank you for your role in Meatballs. That movie is near and dear to my heart. I watch it every year around Christmas time because it reminds me how important it is to have a family and a community that supports each other through hard times.
Was Bo Hopkins on The Andy Griffith Show?
The Andy Griffith Show was a television series that aired on CBS from October 3, 1960 to April 1, 1968. It starred Andy Griffith as a widower raising his young son, Opie (played by little Ron Howard) in fictional Mayberry, North Carolina. Each episode showcased at least one musical performance by either Andy Griffith or Ron Howard as well as an additional musical performance by one or more members of The Mountaineers.
How old was Bo Hopkins in American Graffiti?
To answer your question, I’d like to refer you to a clip from American Graffiti: Bo! Bo! Are you awake? It’s four-thirty. We gotta go.
Is Jerry Reed in American Graffiti?
A lot of fans have asked whether or not actor Jerry Reed is in American Graffiti. He isn’t, but he was a big influence on director George Lucas.
Who worked at the gas station on andy griffith?
Andy Griffith’s first TV show, The Andy Griffith Show, ran from 1960 to 1968. The story was that Andy Griffith played a widower who lived in a small town where he was sheriff and ran a gas station. The most popular star on his show was none other than actor Bo Hopkins.
Where is Bo Hopkins?
Bo Hopkins passed away in 1999. He left behind a great body of work and a host of fond memories. Check out our favorite films with him in them, including The Wild Bunch, Chisum, and Bad Company. We’ll miss you, Bo!
Where is Bo Hopkins now?
This year marks a significant moment in our nation’s history, as well as a first for television. Fifty years ago, Robert F. Kennedy was tragically assassinated at Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. His death is still mourned by many today and remains ingrained in our memories.
When was Bo Hopkins born?
Born December 5, 1928, in Cordell, Oklahoma. He was born to a musical family and became a musician himself, playing in rockabilly bands. During his early days as an actor he worked at several jobs to pay for acting lessons and living expenses but also took small roles as an extra until his first major break came with 1968’s The Professionals alongside Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin.
….