Tommy Lane (actor)

Tommy Lane (December 17, 1937[1] – November 29, 2021[2]) was an American actor and stunt performer known for his appearances on television and in films of the 1970s, including Shaft (1971), Shamus (1973) and Live and Let Die (1973). In Shaft and Live and Let Die, he wore a tweed jacket. He also performed stunts in several movies.

Biography[edit]

He was born as Tommy Lee Jones in 1937.[3]

Career[edit]

His career started when he appeared in several episodes of NBC series Flipper in mid-1960s.

He was best remembered by roles in Shaft and Live and Let Die. In Shaft he played a gangster named Leroy, employed by Harlem crime boss Bumpy, who attacks the title character, only to be defeated and thrown through a window.

His Live and Let Die role as Adam earned the character 90th place in a group of 104 James Bond villains as rated by Esquire.[4][5]

He played a guy known as 44 in Ossie Davis’ Cotton Comes to Harlem[6] and also appeared in such films as Ganja & Hess, Shamus with Burt Reynolds and Eureka (1983).[7] On TV, he appeared in 1980s series Simon & Simon.

Music[edit]

Lane also had a career as a jazz musician in the 1980s. He played trumpet and flugelhorn at New York City's Blue Note.[3]

Death[edit]

He died on November 29, 2021[8] at after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. His survivors include wife Raquel Bastias-Lane, seven children and a stepson and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Etienne, Vanessa (December 1, 2021). "Actor Tommy Lane, Who Starred in Live and Let Die and Shaft, Dead at 83". People.
  2. ^ Saperstein, Pat (November 30, 2021). "Tommy Lane, Actor and Stuntman in 'Live and Let Die,' 'Shaft,' Dies at 83". Variety. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Towers, Andrea (December 1, 2021). "Tommy Lane, Shaft and Live and Let Die actor, dies at 83". Entertainment Weekly.
  4. ^ Hall, Jacob (May 24, 2017). "All 104 James Bond Villains, Ranked". Esquire. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  5. ^ Moore, Sam (November 30, 2021). "Tommy Lane death: James Bond actor dies aged 83". The Independent.
  6. ^ a b Barnes, Mike (November 30, 2021). "Tommy Lane, 'Shaft' Actor and Stuntman, Dies at 83". The Hollywood Reporter.
  7. ^ Grobar, Matt (November 30, 2021). "Tommy Lane Dies: 'Shaft' And 'Live And Let Die' Actor, Stuntman Was 83". Deadline Hollywood.
  8. ^ Meara, Paul (November 30, 2021). "'Shaft', 'Live And Let Die' Actor Tommy Lane Dies At 83". BET.com.

External links[edit]

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