Friday, April 27, 2012

Tim McIntire

Tim McIntire died of heart failure at the young age of forty-one brought on by years of alcohol and drug abuse. Maybe his wild past is the reason why he never received the recognition he deserved because he was about as underrated as they come.

Just watching him in his numerous roles, both leading and supporting, makes me wonder why his acting talents never lead him to Hollywood royalty.


From The Sterile Cuckoo  to The Choirboys, and The Gumball Rally  to Fast-Walking, Tim McIntire had a presence that was hard to ignore, often upstaging the bigger name actors he played along side. Even his voice-over work is memorable as is evident in the sci-fi cult classic, A Boy and His Dog, where he supplied the voice of the shrewd dog, Blood.

However, if you want to see this wonderful actor at his absolute best, look no further than American Hot Wax, where he played the infamous 1950's rock-n-roll disc jockey, Alan Freed, and you will see for yourself why Tim McIntire is Not Really Famous...but should be.

36 comments:

  1. Did he sing The Ballad of Jeremiah Johnson from the movie?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes he did Sing the soundtrack to Jeremiah Johnson.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tim McIntire (1944-1986)—the son of great character actors John McIntire (1907-1991) and multi-Emmy nominee Jeanette Nolan (1911-1998)—should have been nominated for the 1978 best-actor Oscar for "American Hot Wax." Jon Voight won that year for "Coming Home." Nominations also went to Warren Beatty ("Heaven Can Wait"), Gary Busey ("The Buddy Holly Story"), Robert De Niro ("The Deer Hunter"), and Laurence Olivier ("The Boys from Brazil"). Busey's nomination was the breakthrough but Olivier should have been replaced by McIntire.

    McIntire was a scene-stealing character actor. He was a marvel in the landmark ABC miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man" (1976). And he may have finally attained stardom had it not been for his early death (at age 41).

    Aside from McIntire, his mother Jeanette Nolan also had a connection to Robert Redford: While McIntire did the music for Sydney Pollack's "Jeremiah Johnson (1972), Nolan had her last screen role in Redford-directed "The Horse Whisperer."

    McIntire came from strong lineage. With significant time having passed, one who appreciates the art of acting would have to seek them out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I worked for Tim McIntire for 8 years and saw him the day before he died. He was wonderfully spoken. A great singer and straight out of the Funzone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes he was a fun loving and kind hearted person. I met him while working at the Topanga Corral where he sometimes played live his LA Blues Band. He'd usually say hi to me with a hug and a gentle beard bristle cheek rub on his way to dressing room. He gave me nice leather jacket with a beaded eagle design across back. Very polite and interesting talented man he was.

      Delete
  5. He's rumored to have been the son of Orson Welles. And he does have a striking resemblance to Welles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I knew Tim since he was 10 and I was 5. His Mom, Jeanette Nolan, was like a second Mom after my own mother, actress Nora Marlowe, died. I can assure you Tim’s father was John McIntire. I was with Jen when a very insensitive party guest, at a friend’s home, asked if Orson Welles was Tim’s father. Jen was appalled and deeply hurt. I worked for Tim, as a personal assistant, and quit about 10 months before his death. I also had the great joy to accompany Jen to Montana where she played Robert Redford’s mother in “The Horse Whisperer.” I was like a second daughter to Jen and can reiterate, without question, that John McIntire was his father. But I do agree that Tim’s untimely death was the only thing stopping him from becoming a major star. He was incredibly talented and was deeply loved by his family.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for setting the record straight. I couldn't place the name Nora Marlowe, so I looked her up. After seeing her credits, I remember her from The Twilight Zone, The Waltons, and North by Northwest. Such talented people you grew up with. Thanks for the comment.

      Delete
  6. WHAT! Go watch "old charlie" Bonanza and you can see Tim next to his Dad John. No question they look alike.

    ReplyDelete
  7. great actor as his whole family was my favourite role was when he portrayed george jones he sounded just like him but i wonder if tammy dramatized that some I have been a music and movie buff for tears

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tracey McCallion CampbellSeptember 13, 2017 at 5:38 AM

      Tim had an incredible voice, but for some odd reason, in this movie, they had Tim lip sync to some other actor singing George Jones songs. It made NO sense! My parents, both actors, were best friends with Tim's parents John and Jen. I knew Tim since I was 7 and he was 14 and he knew how to play many instruments. He was my first guitar teacher when I was 10. While many know of his collaboration with actor/composer John Rubenstein on "Jeremiah Johnson", Tim and John had a group with Amy Philbin (Regis' daughter) for quite a while. In the last year of his life, I helped Tim as a personal assistant. He had known me for years but never knew I was "such an incredible assistant." He told me "You need to go work for huge stars like Robert Redford." Knowing that he did "Jeremiah Johnson" and "Brubaker" with RR, I was quite pleased with Tim's high praise. Sadly, I said, Mr. Redford must have 5 assistants and, alas, I don't think I will ever meet him. "You never know", Tim said. So, it was rather incredible for me that, 11 years after his death, I accompanied his mother, Jeanette Nolan, (as HER personal assistant) to their beloved Montana when she played Robert Redford's mother in "The Horse Whisperer". I had the "difficult" job of looking at Robert Redford each day for six weeks! Best job I ever had. I sometimes think perhaps Tim had a hand in all that. I could write reams about Tim's amazing talents! I agree he should have been a MAJOR star. The best thing I EVER heard in my life (from ANY actor) was a cassette of Tim as a radio announcer for a baseball team. Not only did Tim portray the announcer, but 5 or 6 members of the team, also being interviewed by Tim. Each player had a totally different, unique voice, accent, style and cadence. He continued for about 1/2 hour -- all ad lib and delightfully entertaining. It really was a masterpiece. I think only 2 or 3 people, besides his family, ever heard it. I still am so angry that his hard fought sobriety was ruined by the low life hangers-on I saw come to his house for money and what they could get from him. Sadly, Tim's struggles were just too hard for him. His heart gave out. But, like his parents, my parents and all the amazing actors that have passed on - thank God their talents have been captured on film and preserved for eternity. I apologize for the length of this reply, but I loved Tim dearly and felt he deserved more than a few sentences. I hope you agree!

      Delete
    2. Thanks Tracey - I do agree. He deserves an entire film festival dedicated to his work.Tim McIntire is probably one of my ten favorites of all the actors profiled here. Thank you so much for your personal comments. Feel free to share more and often.

      Delete
  8. The Heart of a Lady from Jeremiah Johnson makes me cry every time.

    Looks likes she will stay with you
    Maybe she will love you true
    First time that you ever knew

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just stumbled on your blog. I had no idea Tim McIntire was the son of John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan. Makes sense though, the name, looks and acting ability. Tim was one of those actors I always liked.

    ReplyDelete
  10. did he play in The Virginian "sins of the father"?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes he did as John Wesley Hardin

      Delete
  11. Loved him in Gumball Rally, had no idea he performed the Jeremiah Johnson tracts

    ReplyDelete
  12. I met Tim when his LA Blues Band played at the Topanga Corral Nightclub where I operated food concessions. He was a very nice person, he gave me a very nice leather jacket the last time I saw him. He is sadly missed by many.

    ReplyDelete
  13. American Hot Wax is so amazing, Tim captures the essence of Alan Freed and his talent makes us want to see more of his work. Thanks for the information.

    ReplyDelete
  14. https://youtu.be/Ial6QaXF5V0

    ReplyDelete
  15. Saw him in Brubaker I believe and for some reason his presence on the screen was outsized for the part and impressed me then and now. Though he would become a star. Sorry to hear his life was so short.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Saw a clip of Tim McIntire in "Fast Walking", starring the equally legendary James Woods, and felt that anyone who could eclipse the insanely beyond talented Woods (which McIntire absolutely freakin' did) was fully deserving of eternal reverence!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Always a fan of the McIntires and find it odd that this talented dynasty never found its well deserved recognition. Was Tim married? Not much info on his personal life. What a talented man.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Tim is wonderful in a 1966 episode of THE FUGITIVE entitled "Ill Wind" where he co-stars with his mom & dad as part of a group of itinerant workers who take in Richard Kimble (David Janssen) and conspire to thwart the efforts of Lt. Gerard (Barry Morse) to arrest him. Tim sings a tune that is the leitmotif for the entire episode, which gets repeated several times as the action plays out. One of the best FUGITIVE episodes in large part thanks to Tim and his equally talented parents...seek it out!

    ReplyDelete
  19. If I recall correctly, Tim McIntire's father, John McIntire, played the wagonmaster Chris Hale on "Wagon Train". Don't know if he ever did any episodes himself but what I DO know is that his mother, Jeanette Nolan, appeared on "Gunsmoke" and was also in Robert Redford's "The Horse Whisperer".

    ReplyDelete
  20. One of the greatest character actors in history, and also such a fine song writer and singer. His performance in "Brubaker" was worth an oscar nomination (if not the oscar itself) and, one of my all time favorite movies is Jeremiah Johnson, and I always think of him when I hear that beautiful ballad that he sang. RIP 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

    ReplyDelete
  21. Tracey McCalluon CampbellMay 31, 2023 at 7:00 AM

    I don’t know if there is a limit to the number of posts one is allowed. But, because I knew Tim for decades as a personal friend and then as his assistant, I will add my 3rd post - I hope no one minds!

    I just want to say how wonderful it is to continue to see such great comments about his amazing talents as an actor, singer, composer and songwriter posted by his admiring fans. Some people were asking if Tim was married. Not sure if I saw a reference to this on the site: but Tim and his first wife, Kelly Jean Peters played the original Meathead and Gloria on the first pilot of “All in the Family”. Not sure why they were replaced, but if he hadn’t been, we all would have missed his AMAZING body of work and truly memorable performances, both as an actor and singer in addition to all of his other musical contributions, as well. He and Kelly divorced and he was still married to Margaret O’Neill, a designer, at the time of his death. Tim did not have any children.

    So thank you to everyone who honors Tim, and his memory, by posting your kind words of admiration. Those of us who loved him for many decades are so happy his talent is not forgotten.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tracey, you can post here as much as you like. I love hearing from those who actually knew the people I profile here. I remember seeing the All in the Family pilot with Tim many years ago. I believe at the time the show was titled, And Justice for All. I thought him and his wife were very good, actually more edgy than Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers. Maybe that's why they were replaced. Anyway, thank you for your past posts as well as your future ones.
      Mike

      Delete
    2. Tracey McCallion CampbellJune 5, 2023 at 8:21 AM

      Mike - just wanted to thank you for starting this website to highlight the talents of so many actors who were not given the status they deserved.

      Since my Mom was a regular on The Walton’s (Tim’s Mom appeared as a guest star once) I have been writing on a Waltons blog and I know it is not easy to devote time and effort to this type of website. I applaud you Mike on your consistent dedication!

      Obviously, I have been only sharing my experiences with Tim, but having both my parents as successful character actors (James McCallion and Nora Marlowe) I was lucky enough to grow up with an amazing group of family friends who probably made up 50% of working actors! Jack Lemmon, Art Carney, Bob Newhart were some of the biggest stars who could be found at our home for a weekend party - to James Gregory, Ben Wright, Jack Mullaney and Karl Swenson to name a few of the familiar character actors who we saw so often at our home.

      One episode of “Big Valley” co-starred Tim as the son of Karl Swenson and both my parents as a married couple on the train where Audra was stricken with appendicitis. My parents felt it was such a hoot to have so many friends on this episode. They dubbed it : “Old Home Week!”

      My parents had no scenes with Barbara Stanwyck, but just recently, my TIVO recorded an episode of “Wagon Train” starring Tim’s Dad John as the Wagon Master with guest star, Barbara Stanwyck as the head of a group of only women who joined the wagon train. I was totally surprised to see my Mom as Barbara’s best friend and wagon mate! I had NEVER seen that show and didn’t even know my Mom had worked with the amazing Miss Stanwyck! Plus, it was unreal to see my Mom in a few scenes with John McIntire. I only saw them as close personal friends, so it was really fun to see them as acting colleagues!

      As you have illuminated - many actors who never became famous make up the backbone of every movie or television show we all enjoy. Thank you again, Mike, for paying them homage!

      Delete
    3. Thank you, Tracey. Your house growing up sounds like it was a lot of fun. I'm familiar with you mom's work on The Walton's. I looked up your dad, James McCallion, and recognized his face immediately. I'll have to check out more of their work. I don't post on this blog as much as I want to, or used to. Life, and all its curve balls, tends to distract me of late, but I always appreciate the comments from you and many of the others that visit this blog. I hope to profile more actors soon.

      Delete
  22. Thanks so much forbyiur comments. I've always been a fan of the McIntire clan and just caught another showing of Gumball Rally. Yes, Tim's talent was very underrated. I didn't know he was remarried. Also, let's give a shout out to his very talented sister, Holly.

    ReplyDelete
  23. And lest we forget, Funzone.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I drove back from New York City this weekend, and leaving town, the vibe made me think of The Gumball Rally, so I watched it last night-- Tim was a huge presence in that and as many times as I've seen it, his performance is still fresh and amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love most of the old Western series & often Google about the actors & their lives. I liked John Mcintire as Chris Hale & looked into his life. It led me to this blog about his son. I really enjoyed reading the many stories here. And I'm happy that people are still remembering as late as 2023, keeping these actors "alive".

    ReplyDelete