R.I.P. Tom "Billy Jack" Laughlin

[Ace]

http://youtu.be/qswm7lHp7oY

 

It's reported by his family he died on Thursday at the age if 82.

 

[Tromatagon]

I grew up watching martial arts movies and considered this guy a legend. My dad loved the movies because he also studied Hapkido.

[The Comedian]

I hate to say it but right now I'm just baffled that he was older than Peter O'Toole...

 

though really I'm just shocked O'Toole was only 81 when I feel like it was drilled into me that he was ancient...

[Justin877]

I was surprised to see this today as well.  Always liked Tom Laughlin, mainly because Billy Jack was an awesome character I found on the UHF channels plus we share the same last name as well

[Nick]

I own every Billy Jack movie and I love them all, even Billy Jack goes to Washington (it's not without its merits). I was hoping he'd get to produce or at least be involved with a remake/sequel of some sort, as that was apparently in the works.

 

And I will love this song forever:

 

[caley]

The last thing I heard from Laughlin was when 'Brokeback Mountain' came out and he was bemoaning Hollywood's lack of ethics (His website was absolutely insane, with him talking about making another Billy Jack movie in which Billy would never fight but debate with senators and politicians and rambling diatribes against Hollywood and film companies).

 

I've only seen 'Billy Jack' and 'Born Losers', but I love them both.  Laughlin probably deserves more credit for being one of cinema's true rebels, but his politics will likely keep him outside the spotlight.

 

RIP

[J.T.]

I started studying the martial arts as a kid because of Billy Jack and Silver Spear from The Kid With The Golden Arm.

 

RIP Tom Laughlin.