Bo Hopkins, American Graffiti and The Wild Bunch actor, dies

Bo Hopkins, who appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows including The Wild Bunch and American Graffiti, has died at the age of 84.

Hopkins died Saturday at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, Calif., after suffering a heart attack on May 9, his wife of 33 years, Sian, told Entertainment Weekly.

A statement on his official website reads, "It is with great sadness that we announce that Bo has passed away. Bo loved hearing from his fans from around the world, and although he was unable to respond to every email over the last few years, he appreciated hearing from each and every one of you."

Jennifer Lourie/FilmMagic Bo Hopkins

Hopkins was born in Greenville, S.C., on February 2, 1938. He landed his first major film role in Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch, in which he starred opposite Ernest Borgnine and William Holden, in 1969.

Peckinpah hired Hopkins for two more villainous roles: in 1972's The Getaway opposite Steve McQueen and in 1975's The Killer Elite with James Caan.

Hopkins' role as the leader of the Pharaohs in 1973's American Graffiti also showcased how good he was at playing bad, although he also played lawmen in films such as 1976's A Small Town in Texas, 1989's The Bounty Hunter, 1995's Texas Payback, and 2001's A Crack in the Floor.

Hopkins appeared in a number of mainstay television shows in the 1970s and 1980s, including Dynasty, Charlie's Angels, Fantasy Island, Hotel, The A-Team, and Murder, She Wrote.

His final film appearance was in Ron Howard's 2020 film Hillbilly Elegy, in which he played writer J.D. Vance's grandfather.

In 2017, Hopkins received a star on the Walk of Western Stars in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Hopkins is also survived by his children, Matthew and Jane.

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