Tommy Lane, Shaft and Live and Let Die actor, dies at 83
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Tommy Lane, an actor and stuntman best known for his roles in the popular 80s films Shaft and Live and Let Die, died Monday following a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was 83.
His daughter, Kamala Lane, confirmed the news on Twitter writing "My Father was one cool cat. No wonder he chased the lights of the stage and screen. I'm sure he's showing off in Heaven now. His rest is well-earned."
My Father was one cool cat. No wonder he chased the lights of the stage and screen. I’m sure he’s showing off in Heaven now. His rest is well-earned. ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/8HFLqM5dmR
— Kamala Lane (@by_kamala) November 30, 2021
Lane, who was born as Tommy Lee Jones in 1937, was a fixture in several films in the 70s and 80s, including Cotton Comes to Harlem, Shamus, and Eureka, along with his big breakouts Shaft and Live and Let Die. In Shaft, he played the character of Leroy, who gets thrown out a window in the titular character's Times Square office.
Danjaq/Eon/Ua/Kobal/Shutterstock Tommy Lane in "Live and Let Die."
In Live and Let Die, he made a lasting impression as Adam, a henchman who chased Roger Moore's James Bond in a speedboat. The official James Bond Twitter account also paid homage to Lane, writing "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."
Tommy Lane, who played the stylish henchman Adam in LIVE AND LET DIE (1973), has died aged 83. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. https://t.co/rZGlN4jkV7 pic.twitter.com/zgRj00suMd
— James Bond (@007) December 1, 2021
Lane also had television appearances in the shows Flipper, Shamus (with Burt Reynolds), and Simon & Simon. He also had a career as a jazz musician in the 80s, regularly playing the trumpet and flugelhorn at New York City's Blue Note.
Lane is survived by his wife, Raquel Bastias-Lane, as well as seven children, a stepson, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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