Sam Bottoms

Sam Bottoms
Born Samuel John Bottoms
October 17, 1955
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Died December 16, 2008 (aged 53)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Actor/Producer
Years active 19712007
Spouse(s) Laura Bickford (20022008)
Susan Arnold (1980?; divorced)

Samuel John "Sam" Bottoms (October 17, 1955 December 16, 2008) was an American actor and producer.

Personal life

Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara, California, the third son of James "Bud" Bottoms (a sculptor and art teacher) and Betty (Chapman), both of whom survive him. He was the brother of actors Timothy Bottoms (born 1951), Joseph Bottoms (born 1954) and Ben Bottoms (born 1960).[1][2] He died of glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumor, on December 16, 2008.[3]

Career

When Bottoms was 16 years old, he was on the set of The Last Picture Show, in which his older brother Timothy starred, when the director Peter Bogdanovich decided to give him a screen test. He ended up playing the character of Billy in the movie, who has no spoken lines, but contributes a pivotal role in the drama. Five years later, Bottoms appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Bottoms may be best remembered for his role as surfer Lance Johnson, a Navy Gunner's Mate stationed on a river boat in Francis Ford Coppola's 20th century opus, Apocalypse Now. According to author Peter Biskind, he acquired hookworm during the chaotic production in the Philippines, and the parasite "wrecked his liver".[4]

Television

Filmography

Producer

References

  1. Ben Bottoms at the Internet Movie Database
  2. Sam's Bottom at the Film Reference
  3. "Sam Bottoms dies at 53". Los Angeles Times. 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  4. Peter Biskind. Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, New York: Touchstone, imprint of Simon & Schuster, 1998, 1999, p. 352. ISBN 0-684-85708-1.

External links