One Tin Soldier Rides Away...

[SixGun]

I just found out that Tom Laughlin passed away this December 2013.  He was 82 years old and died of complications from pneumonia.  Growing up in the 70's, The Legend of Billy Jack was a big hit.  Rest in Peace 

Here is the famous fight scene.  He is one bad mofo in this role.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFk5QkH36P0

[fal308]

Saw his obit in a paper last month. He basically did everything on the Billy Jack films. They were an independent production. According to the article there was a fourth film that was written but never filmed.
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/12/15/billy-jack-creator-actor-writer-director-tom-laughlin-dead-at-age-82/

[SixGun]

He basically did everything on the Billy Jack films.

You know, after I posted, I spent quite a bit of time reading about the guy.  I ran across an interview with the younger bad guy in Billy Jack.  This guy was pretty bitter about how he didn't get co-star billing and how he never became famous from the film.  Went on to say that Tom Laughlin didn't even do the famous fight scene but instead his martial arts instructor did it as a stunt double.  I didn't include the link because it didn't paint a pretty picture of Tom Laughlin and the poor guy is dead already so why piss on his grave.  However, a stunt double for an action star, what a novel idea.  He is not the first to use one, if true, and definately won't be the last.  A memorable movie to say the least about an unpopular topic in the day (1968).