Born in Goose Creek, TX; educated at Kansas State College (theater) and Oklahoma State University (theater). Fresh-faced former drummer who first appeared on TV in "The High Chapparal" in 1970 and gave a winning film performance as the title character of THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (1978). Later in character roles, often as a heavy. Other notable credits among his prolific screen appearances include THE LAST AMERICAN HERO (1973), THUNDERBOLT & LIGHTFOOT (1974), THE GUMBALL RALLY (1976), BARBAROSA (1982), THE BEAR (1984), LET'S GET HARRY (1986), LETHAL WEAPON (1987), PREDATOR (1990), UNDER SEIGE (1992), THE FIRM (1993), FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (1998), SLAP SHOT 2: BEAKING THE ICE (2002), QUIGLEY, SCORTCHED and SHADOWLANDS (all 2003), EL PADRINO, SHADE OF PALE, MOTOCROSS KIDS, FALLACY, LATIN DRAGON, GHOST ROCK and BORDER BLUES (all 2004), THE HAND JOB, THE HARD EASY, NO RULES, SOULED OUT, CHASING GHOSTS, BUCKAROO: THE MOVIE and THE GINGERDEAD MAN (all 2005), HALLETTSVILLE, DESCANSOS, KURTLAR VADISI - IRAK / VALLEY OF THE WOLVES: IRAQ, SHUT UP AND SHOOT! and SOFT TARGET (all 2006), BLIZHNIY BOY: THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER, SUCCUBUS: HELL BENT, LADY SAMURAI, BEYOND THE RING, NITE TALES: THE MOVIE, DOWN AND DISTANCE and CRYING 4 U (all 2007), and THE ADVENTURES OF UMBWEKI (2008).  Nominated for Actor 1978: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY 1 nomination