Tom Laughlin (actor)
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Tom Laughlin (born August 10, 1931) is an American actor and director. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Laughlin is best known for his series of Billy Jack films.
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[edit] Background
Laughlin began his on-screen acting career in the 1955 feature film Climax! From there he went on to appear in numerous feature films including: These Wilder Years, Tea and Sympathy and South Pacific. He also appeared in several episodes of various television series throughout the late 1950s and 1960s.
In 1967 he wrote (as E. James Lloyd), directed (as T. C. Frank) and starred in the film The Born Losers. This was the first film in which the character of Billy Jack appeared. He followed this up with the sequel, Billy Jack, which was very successful, and The Trial of Billy Jack, which was also successful. But the 1977 version of the franchise, Billy Jack Goes to Washington, was a failure, and proved to be Laughlin's last film as a director. He is currently seeking funding for a fifth film, entitled Billy Jack's Moral Revolution.
Prior to the financial failure of Billy Jack Goes to Washington he also wrote, directed and starred in, alongside Superfly (film) star Ron O'Neal, the 1975 feature film The Master Gunfighter. This was a cult film success; it was set in the old west and the lead characters fought their battle with a combination of pistols and samurai swords.
Laughlin has continued acting, appearing in features as The Big Sleep and The Legend of the Lone Ranger.
[edit] Politics
In recent years, Laughlin has turned his attention to politics, an arena that has always interested him. In 1992 he sought the Democratic Party nomination for President, and appeared on the primary ballots in New Hampshire and Louisiana. He campaigned on a platform of a tax cut for "ordinary Americans," term limits, an overhaul of public education, and universal health care. Despite being excluded from debates by party officials who did not consider him a serious candidate, he received 3,251 votes, or about 2%, in the New Hampshire primary. He ran for president again in 2004, this time as a Republican. Campaigning as an opponent of the Iraq war, he received 154 votes (0.23%). He has also expressed interest in running for Governor of California.
Laughlin has been an outspoken critic of the Iraq War, and his website presents several writings on why it is turning out to be worse than the Vietnam War, in addition to pieces on what he calls "realistic exit strategies." He also devotes several pages of the Billy Jack website to reasons that justify an impeachment of George W. Bush, and has also repeatedly stated the need for a viable, mainstream 3rd political party.
[edit] Health
In 2001 the public learned Laughlin was suffering from cancer of the tongue (web site). His website says it is in remission (web site). He has written The Psychology of Cancer, a book about faith, attitude and such factors that may have an alternative effect on the progression of cancer. (web site)
