Actor James Parks attends AMC’s “The SON” premiere at ArcLight Hollywood on April 3, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Getty)
Kill Bill and From Dusk till Dawn actor Michael Parks has died at age 77. The news was shared on Instagram Wednesday afternoon by Kevin Smith, who worked with Parks on recent projects like Red State and Tusk.
Parks is survived by his wife and his son, James, who followed in his father’s footsteps by pursuing what is now a successful career in the entertainment industry. James will also be playing a role in the upcoming film Red State.
Read on to learn more about 48-year-old James Parks.
1. He Starred Alongside His Father in ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’
Like his father, James has worked with many famous film directors like Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, and David Lynch.
In Tarantino’s cult-classic film From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money, Parks played Texas Ranger Edgar McGraw. The character’s father, Earl McGraw, was played by his real-life father.
Though the fictional father-son duo of Earl and Edgar McGraw was killed off From Dusk Till Dawn, it has returned in several other films by Rodriguez and Tarantino, like Kill Bill: Volume 1 and several Grindhouse projects. The characters usually serve as a form of comic relief, and in the Grindhouse films, Earl has a daughter named Dakota who is introduced and plays a large role in Robert Rodriguez’s zombie film, Planet Terror.
2. He Played Mack Rattray on ‘True Blood’
Actor James Parks attends the 19th Annual Hollywood Film Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 1, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Getty)
James played the role of Mack Rattray on True Blood. He appeared in four episodes: “If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin’?”, “The First Taste”, “Strange Love”, and the original pilot.
Mack, a drug dealer specializing in Vampire Blood, made his debut in “Strange Love” and met his demise in “The First Date”. His last appearance occurred in a flashback at the end of season 3.
True Blood lasted four years and was comprised of 7 seasons. For the first five seasons, it received critical acclaim, but when showrunner Alan Ball was replaced, its ratings started to dip. Over the four years it was on air, the HBO series garnered a handful of awards– Anna Paquin, who played the lead, earned a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, and was nominated for a Saturn Award.
3. He Played O.B. Jackson in the Oscar-Nominated Film ‘The Hateful Eight’
In 2015, he booked the role of stagecoach driver O.B. Jackson in Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight. In an interview with ScreenSlam, James spoke about what it was like scoring the role, describing it as “an exceptional moment.”
He also reveals that it wasn’t until The Hateful Eight that he really got know Tarantino well and begin to fully understand his process. “I wish I could say that I really knew him… but the parts that I played were sort of smaller and self-contained and didn’t take as much work. It wasn’t until this film that I got to really be around him all the time.”
He also says that both Kurt Russell and Samuel L. Jackson were a joy to work with and complete professionals on set. “Both men are total professionals,” he explains. “And also kind. And that’s really rare– you know, the talent, the level of work. It makes you bring your game. You’re not just showing up to work with anyone– and they’re ready. They’re ready to go.”
Faces from #DeathProof
Michael Parks/Earl McGraw, James Parks/Edgar McGraw, Marley Shelton/Dr.Dakota Block http://t.co/Ok9COpKyWh
4. He Has a Recurring Role in AMC’s ‘the Son’
(Back Row Standing, L-R) Actors Henry Garrett, James Parks, Shane Graham, Tatanka Means, Zahn McClarnon, Sean Stone, Pierce Brosnan, Jacob Lofland, Jess Weixler, Elizabeth Frances, Sydney Lucas, Paola Nunez, (front row kneeling), David Wilson Barnes and Carlos Bardem attend AMC’s “The SON” premiere at ArcLight Hollywood on April 3, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Getty)
On AMC’s The Son, James plays the recurring role of Niles Gilbert.
According to the character’s bio on AMC’s website, Niles is a “down-on-his-luck bar owner” whose also a passionate member of the Law & Order league, which eventually turns into the Ku Klux Klan. Some view him as a dangerous racist who should be avoided, while others consider him a friend, whose interests align with their own.
The Son, which can best be described as a western drama, premiered on April 8, 2017, and was developed by Meyer, Brian McGreevy, and Lee Shipman. It stars Pierce Brosnan as Eli McCullough, a cattle baron who befriends Niles over the course of the series.
5. He Is a Writer for Film and Movie Events for Television
Actor James Parks (R) and guest attend the world premiere of “The Hateful Eight” presented by The Weinstein Company at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on December 7, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Getty)
According to his IMDB bio, James began his training in classical acting, focusing on Shakespearean theater. Apart from acting, he writes for film and movie events for television.
He made his on-screen debut in 1990 in the Gerald McRaney TV movie Blind Vengeance. Since then, he’s booked over 60 roles in television and film series. He is repped by GVA Talent Agency and David Styne.