Tom Laughlin of ‘Billy Jack’ fame dies

 

Alan Duke

CNN

LOS ANGELES (CNN) — Tom Laughlin, the actor who wrote and starred in the “Billy Jack” films of the 1970s, died Thursday, his family confirmed Sunday. He was 82.

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Laughlin’s Billy Jack character was a heroic Native American ex-Army Green Beret who used his karate skills to fight racism and oppression.

The second of the series — titled “Billy Jack” — was a low-budget independent film that became a box-office blockbuster in 1971. Laughlin’s vigilante character defends a counterculture “Freedom School” from townspeople who harass and discriminate against the Native American students.

The film was criticized by those who saw its central theme as a message that violence was an answer to injustice.

Laughlin resorted to renting theaters himself to show the film after Hollywood studios refused to distribute it.

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The Billy Jack character first appeared in “The Born Losers” in 1967, fighting a motorcycle gang. Laughlin co-wrote and directed the film.

Laughlin later attempted a political career, putting his name on presidential primary ballots in 1992, 2004 and 2008.

Laughlin’s acting career began with TV and film roles in the 1950s, including a “lover boy” role in Sandra Dee’s 1959 beach movie “Gidget.”

His wife of 60 years, Delores Taylor, also acted in his “Billy Jack” films.

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Laughlin died near his Thousand Oaks, California, home Thursday, his family said.

He is survived by his wife, three children and five grandchildren.