Kill Bill and Twin Peaks actor Michael Parks dies at 77

By Press Association

Published: 13:52 EDT, 10 May 2017 | Updated: 15:15 EDT, 10 May 2017

Michael Parks, pictured in 2014, has died at the age of 77

Michael Parks, pictured in 2014, has died at the age of 77

Kill Bill and Twin Peaks actor Michael Parks has died at the age of 77.

The veteran character actor died on Tuesday morning, his agent has confirmed.

His close friend, the film maker Kevin Smith, said he was the 'best actor I've ever known' in a lengthy tribute on Instagram.

In the first and second Kill Bill movies he played Texas Ranger Earl McGraw and Esteban Vihaio.

He also played French-Canadian drug runner Jean Renault in the 1990 series Twin Peaks.

Parks was born in Corona, California in April 1940 and is survived by his wife Oriana and their son, James. 

Smith, who cast Parks as a villain in horror films Red State and Tusk, said he had written the films 'for Parks'.

'I loved his acting so much. He was, hands-down, the most incredible thespian I ever had the pleasure to watch perform. And Parks brought out the absolute best in me every time he got near my set.'

He called him a 'Yoda of acting', adding his favourite memory was of Parks and Johnny Depp working together 'like a couple of duelling wizards in their shared scene in Tusk'.

In the first and second Kill Bill movies he played Texas Ranger Earl McGraw and Esteban Vihaio. He is pictured here in the second installment

In Kill Bill and Kill Bill Vol 2 he played Texas Ranger Earl McGraw and Esteban Vihaio. He is pictured here in the sec

'Parks was in Heaven that day, sharing the screen with another brilliant actor and creating an unforgettable performance. He elevated any flick or TV show he was in and elevated every director he ever acted for.

'I was so f****** blessed to have worked with this bonafide genius. But really, I was just lucky to have known him at all.'

He also played French-Canadian drug runner Jean Renault in 1990 series Twin Peaks 

He also played French-Canadian drug runner Jean Renault in 1990 series Twin Peaks 

He added: 'My heart goes out to James (Michael's son), Oriana (Michael's wife), Quentin Tarantino (Michael's biggest fan) and any movie or music lover who was ever dazzled by the talents of Michael Parks.

'Farewell, old friend. I'll see you farther along.'

His 50-year career saw him appear in more than 100 films and TV shows, beginning in 1961 in ABC sitcom The Real McCoys.

A close friend of Johnny Cash, Parks was also a singer and recorded the theme song for Long Lonesome Highway as well as three studio albums.

  

 

Comments 91

Share what you think

  View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

  View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.