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When Presley was making films in the 1960s in [[Hollywood]], Red West appeared in small roles in sixteen of the star's films.<ref name="death"/> During this time, West became good friends with actor [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]] and his physical abilities got him hired on as a stuntman on Adams' [[television series]], ''[[The Rebel (TV series)|The Rebel]]''.<ref name="HRO"/> From there, West went on to do more stunt work in film as well as developing a career as an actor in a number of motion pictures and on television. He was often on screen as a henchman in the television series ''[[The Wild Wild West]]''.<ref name="Interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.elvisinfonet.com/interview_red_west.html|title=Red West Interview|publisher=ElvisInfoNet|accessdate=July 20, 2017}}</ref>
When Presley was making films in the 1960s in [[Hollywood]], Red West appeared in small roles in sixteen of the star's films.<ref name="death"/> During this time, West became good friends with actor [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]] and his physical abilities got him hired on as a stuntman on Adams' [[television series]], ''[[The Rebel (TV series)|The Rebel]]''.<ref name="HRO"/> From there, West went on to do more stunt work in film as well as developing a career as an actor in a number of motion pictures and on television. He was often on screen as a henchman in the television series ''[[The Wild Wild West]]''.<ref name="Interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.elvisinfonet.com/interview_red_west.html|title=Red West Interview|publisher=ElvisInfoNet|accessdate=July 20, 2017}}</ref>


West played Master Sergeant [[Andy Micklin]] on ''[[Baa Baa Black Sheep (TV series)|Baa Baa Black Sheep]]''. He guest starred twice on the CBS hit detective series ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]'' as different characters, as four different ones on ''[[The A-Team]]'', the ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]'' pilot episode "Knight of the Phoenix", on ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' and in the ''Twilight Zone'' episode "[[The Once and Future King (The Twilight Zone)|The Once and Future King]]". West co-starred in the 1984 film ''Hard Knox'' with [[Robert Conrad]]. In 1989 West appeared in the action film ''[[Road House (1989 film)|Road House]]'' with [[Patrick Swayze]] as Red Webster, the auto parts store owner. West continued to work in motion pictures as of early February 2013. His last role was in the 2013 film ''Safe Haven''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/safe-haven-2013|title=Safe Haven|first=Richard|last=Roeper|date=February 12, 2013|publisher=Rogerebert.com|accessdate=February 15, 2015}}</ref>
West played Master Sergeant [[Andy Micklin]] on ''[[Baa Baa Black Sheep (TV series)|Baa Baa Black Sheep]]''.<ref name="Remembers">{{cite web|url=https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/red-west-writing-for-the-king.shtml|title=Red West Remembers Writing For The King|author=Ken Sharp|date=June 24, 2017|accessdate=July 20, 2017|publisher=Elvis.com}}</ref> He guest starred twice on the CBS hit detective series ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]'' as different characters, as four different ones on ''[[The A-Team]]'', the ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]'' pilot episode "Knight of the Phoenix", on ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' and in ''[[The Twilight Zone]]'' episode "[[The Once and Future King (The Twilight Zone)|The Once and Future King]]".<ref name="Fox"/>
In 1989 West appeared in the action film ''[[Road House (1989 film)|Road House]]'' with [[Patrick Swayze]] as Red Webster, the auto parts store owner. West continued to work in motion pictures as of early February 2013. His last role was in the 2013 film ''Safe Haven''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/safe-haven-2013|title=Safe Haven|first=Richard|last=Roeper|date=February 12, 2013|publisher=Rogerebert.com|accessdate=February 15, 2015}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==

Revision as of 23:37, 20 July 2017

Red West
Born
Robert Gene West

(1936-03-08)March 8, 1936
Bolivar, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJuly 18, 2017(2017-07-18) (aged 81)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Alma materJones County Junior College
Occupation(s)Actor, stunt performer, songwriter
Years active1959–2015
Spouse
Pat Boyd
​
(m. 1961)​
Children2

Robert Gene "Red" West (March 8, 1936 – July 18, 2017) was an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter. He was known for being a close confidant and songwriter for rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. He is probably best known to American film audiences for his role as Red in Road House, alongside Patrick Swayze.

Early life

West was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Lois and Newton Thomas West.[1] West was the cousin of actor Sonny West.[2] While attending high school in Tennessee, West and Sonny met with Elvis Presley.[3]

An excellent athlete and former U.S. Marine, West played football for his high school and junior college at Jones County Junior College teams and was a boxer in the Golden Gloves championships.[4]

In 1961, West married his wife Pat Boyd.[3] Together, they had two children.[4]

West and Presley

As a songwriter

West contributed to several songs written by Elvis Presley in 1961 and 1962.[4] He received help from Elvis Presley in writing two songs in the early 1960s, which were collaborations: "You'll Be Gone" and "That's Someone You Never Forget".[5]

"That's Someone You Never Forget" was the final track on the 1962 album Pot Luck and was released as a 45 B side single in 1967 and was featured on the Artist of the Century compilation.[6] West also co-wrote "If You Think I Don't Need You" with Joey Cooper for the motion picture Viva Las Vegas.[5] He teamed up with Joey Cooper again on "I'm A Fool", which Ricky Nelson recorded.[7] "I'm A Fool" later became a hit for Dino, Desi and Billy, the partnership of Dean-Paul "Dino" Martin, Desi Arnaz Jr., and William "Billy" Hinsche.[7]

West also co wrote the song "Separate Ways" for Elvis in 1972.[8]

Elvis' Entourage and firing

In 1976, West was involved in a series of heavy-handed incidents in Las Vegas with aggressive fans that got out of hand, drawing criticism by the media.[4] More than that, West was becoming more vocal about Presley's drug problem and how he needed help. As a result, West, his cousin Sonny West, and a third bodyguard named David Hebler were fired by Elvis's father, Vernon Presley, who hated most, if not all, of the members of his son's entourage.[2]

West was fired by Presley and subsequently helped write the book Elvis: What Happened?, which was published weeks before Presley's death.[8] The book, according to West in the book, was an attempt to help Presley, but believed by some to be an attempt to retaliate and earn an income after being fired.[8]

Career in film and television

When Presley was making films in the 1960s in Hollywood, Red West appeared in small roles in sixteen of the star's films.[9] During this time, West became good friends with actor Nick Adams and his physical abilities got him hired on as a stuntman on Adams' television series, The Rebel.[4] From there, West went on to do more stunt work in film as well as developing a career as an actor in a number of motion pictures and on television. He was often on screen as a henchman in the television series The Wild Wild West.[10]

West played Master Sergeant Andy Micklin on Baa Baa Black Sheep.[11] He guest starred twice on the CBS hit detective series Magnum, P.I. as different characters, as four different ones on The A-Team, the Knight Rider pilot episode "Knight of the Phoenix", on The Fall Guy and in The Twilight Zone episode "The Once and Future King".[3]

In 1989 West appeared in the action film Road House with Patrick Swayze as Red Webster, the auto parts store owner. West continued to work in motion pictures as of early February 2013. His last role was in the 2013 film Safe Haven.[12]

Death

West died on July 18, 2017 after suffering an aortic aneurysm at Baptist Hospital. He was 81.[9] His death occurred less than two months after the death of his cousin Sonny West in May 2017.[2]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ "Red West profile". Filmreference.com. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Sonny West of Elvis' Memphis Mafia dies at 79". WMCActionNews5.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Red West, Longtime Elvis Confidant, Dies at 81". Fox News. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Red West, Songwriter and Actor Who Was Elvis Presley's Confidant, Dies At 81". The Hollywood Reporter. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Red West Dies: 'Road House' Actor, Stuntman & Songwriter Was 81". Deadline. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  6. ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds) (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 892. ISBN 1-57859-061-2. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ a b "I'm A Fool Facts". SongFacts. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "Interview with Red West". Elvis.com. May 29, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Beifuss, John (July 19, 2017). "Red West, Elvis friend and actor, is dead". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  10. ^ "Red West Interview". ElvisInfoNet. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  11. ^ Ken Sharp (June 24, 2017). "Red West Remembers Writing For The King". Elvis.com. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  12. ^ Roeper, Richard (February 12, 2013). "Safe Haven". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_West&oldid=791547132"