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Actor Lou Perryman, Texan to his bones, dies
Lou Perryman, drawling character actor best known for his roles in Eagle Pennell’s landmark Texas indie features “The Whole Shootin’ Match” (1978) and “Last Night at the Alamo” (1983), was killed this week in a suspected homicide. His body, fatally wounded by an axe, was found Thursday in his Austin home. He was 67.
Perryman and Pennell, who died in 2002, were great friends, striking out in the scrappy dust-bowl of DIY filmmaking in the 1970s.
“(Eagle) did it on the sweat of his brow,” Perryman told me during an interview when Pennell died. “He hustled. We made it up as we went. He brought the best out of people, and that’s the heart of independent film.”
Perryman never made it big, but he enjoyed a run of bit parts in Hollywood fare, including “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2, “”Boys Don’t Cry,” “Poltergeist,” “The Blues Brothers” and television’s “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Perryman in ‘Whole Shootin’ Match’
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By Lorelei
October 10, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this
I just now came across this bit of disturbing information. Lou and I worked together in the movie Trespasses. He was an interesting and engaging man and he deserved better. Play on Lou, see ya on the other side!
By H.E Sharp
April 5, 2009 10:29 PM | Link to this
Oh what a way to go. This is horrible news, I hate to see it. Requiescat en pace Lou Perryman. Sorry your untimely end had to be in this manner.
By Don of the Dead
April 4, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this
I just chatted with Lou via MySpace the other day about attending our Horror Convention Crypticon here in MN. Lou is well loved in the horror community, and we fans are shocked and saddened at the loss of thie friendly, lovable man.
You will be missed Lou!
By goodolboy
April 4, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
Lou was a friend of every film maker who ever struggled to make something decent, and exceedingly kind to those who took the time to appreciate his work with Eagle. Sadly, it looks like this crazy person’s family had even tried to get him into a mental health facility before, but guess what? No insurance, no help. It could be that this senseless, tragic crime was merely his ticket back into an institution, any institution that could contain him.
Now’s the time for your tears.
By Saddened
April 4, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
Lou’s kindness and willingness to be there is what I remember from my one significant interaction with him. When our beloved Rottweiller Alfie died in my arms, my then-husband Bob called Lou to ask for help in transporting the body to his property in Bastrop for burial. Alfie was a big dog, 120 pounds, and Lou was a big man. He helped in a big way and without questions. When we thanked him, he just said he understood about a man and his dog. I am so saddened to learn of his death. Vaya con Dios, Lou.
By Jeannie Cleveland
April 4, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
Lou had a big heart and an intriguing mind. He fought his demons to the ground. Camping in Colorado, hiking around here, listening to fine music - those are my best memories of Lou.
By artly
April 4, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
Lou was a swell fellow and a natural actor. He will be missed by all that knew him and those that enjoyed the movies he used to entertain us….artly.
By artly
April 4, 2009 7:10 AM | Link to this
Lou was a wonderful man and I am having trouble even thinking about the fact that he is gone.
By lance J. Reha
April 3, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this
RIP Big Lou, you’ll be missed but will live forever on celluloid!