Billy Drago
Encyclopedia
Billy Drago is an American actor known for his roles as villains in television and motion pictures.
to William and Gladys Burrows. He took his grandmother's maiden name as his stage name
to keep from being confused with another actor. After high school he worked as a stuntman
at Boot Hill
in Dodge City, Kansas
. From there he went on to the University of Kansas
. After finishing college he was a radio host for a time before joining an acting company taking him first to Canada
then on to New York City
.
Drago is the father of actor Darren E. Burrows
. His wife is actress Silvana Gallardo
.
and the Jeff Bridges
vehicle Cutter's Way
. He moved forward and appeared in guest starring roles in numerous television series; including: Hill Street Blues
, Moonlighting
, Walker Texas Ranger and Trapper John, M.D.
.
Drago is perhaps best known for the role of Al Capone
's henchman Frank Nitti
in Brian De Palma
's 1987 film The Untouchables
. Since that point he has appeared in numerous films and television
roles; his more recent television résumé
includes The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
and The X-Files
.
In 1998 he played the demon Barbas
in the WB
series Charmed
. His character was supposed to appear in only one episode, but due to popularity with fans he was brought back for six additional episodes, appearing in five of the show's eight seasons.
His ongoing film resume includes: Delta Force 2
, Tremors 4: The Legend Begins
and Pale Rider
, as a hired hitman. He also was featured in Michael Jackson
's 2001 short film/music video "You Rock My World
." Drago also played a mysterious stranger who gave a boy a special key in the Mike + The Mechanics music video for "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
" in 1985. Drago's latest movie roles were in Gregg Araki
's 2004 film Mysterious Skin
, the horror remake The Hills Have Eyes
, and a rare leading role in Takashi Miike
's Masters of Horror
episode Imprint
, which Showtime pulled from the air due to "disturbing content." The episode has been released on DVD.
Personal life
Drago was born William Eugene Burrows in Hugoton, KansasHugoton, Kansas
Hugoton is a city in and the county seat of Stevens County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,904.-History:...
to William and Gladys Burrows. He took his grandmother's maiden name as his stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
to keep from being confused with another actor. After high school he worked as a stuntman
Stuntman
A stuntman or stunt performer is someone who performs dangerous stunts.Stuntman may also refer to:*The Stunt Man, a 1980 film starring Peter O'Toole*Stuntman , a 2002 video game**Stuntman: Ignition, its sequel...
at Boot Hill
Boot Hill
Boot Hill is the name for any number of cemeteries, chiefly in the American West. During the 19th century it was a common name for the burial grounds of gunfighters, or those who "died with their boots on" ....
in Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is a city in, and the county seat of, Ford County, Kansas, United States. Named after nearby Fort Dodge, the city is famous in American culture for its history as a wild frontier town of the Old West. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,340.-History:The first settlement of...
. From there he went on to the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
. After finishing college he was a radio host for a time before joining an acting company taking him first to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
then on to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Drago is the father of actor Darren E. Burrows
Darren E. Burrows
Darren E. Burrows is an American Actor / Director.Burrows was born in Winfield, Kansas, the son of actor Billy Drago. Burrows is best known for playing Ed Chigliak in the television series Northern Exposure...
. His wife is actress Silvana Gallardo
Silvana Gallardo
Silvana Gallardo is an American actress.She has been mostly active in television. Her credits include: Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, Lou Grant, Quincy, Hill Street Blues, Cagney and Lacey, Falcon Crest, Trapper John M.D., The Golden Girls, Knots Landing, MacGyver, LA Law, Babylon 5, ER and NYPD Blue...
.
Career
Drago began his acting career in 1979. His early works were in such films as, No Other Love, WindwalkerWindwalker
Windwalker was a four-piece rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia who were active from 1990 to 1993.The band recorded one album, Rainstick and contributed songs to three compilations: a cover of Ministry's "Burning Inside" on The Mint Is A Terrible Thing To Taste ; a cover of Donovan's "The...
and the Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges
Jeffrey Leon "Jeff" Bridges is an American actor and musician. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Otis "Bad" Blake in the 2009 film Crazy Heart....
vehicle Cutter's Way
Cutter's Way
Cutter's Way is a 1981 thriller directed by Ivan Passer. The film stars Jeff Bridges, John Heard, and Lisa Eichhorn. The screenplay was by Jeffrey Alan Fiskin, based on the novel Cutter and Bone by Newton Thornburg....
. He moved forward and appeared in guest starring roles in numerous television series; including: Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues is an American serial police drama that was first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes on primetime into 1987. Chronicling the lives of the staff of a single police precinct in an unnamed American city, the show received critical acclaim and its production innovations ...
, Moonlighting
Moonlighting (TV series)
Moonlighting is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 3, 1985, to May 14, 1989. The network aired a total of 66 episodes...
, Walker Texas Ranger and Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986....
.
Drago is perhaps best known for the role of Al Capone
Al Capone
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early...
's henchman Frank Nitti
Frank Nitti
Francesco Raffaele Nitto , also known as Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti, was an Italian American gangster. One of Al Capone's top henchmen, Nitti was in charge of all strong-arm and 'muscle' operations...
in Brian De Palma
Brian De Palma
Brian Russell De Palma is an American film director and writer. In a career spanning over 40 years, he is probably best known for his suspense and crime thriller films, including such box office successes as the horror film Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Scarface, The Untouchables, and Mission:...
's 1987 film The Untouchables
The Untouchables (1987 film)
The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime-drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by David Mamet. Based on the book The Untouchables, the film stars Kevin Costner as government agent Eliot Ness. It also stars Robert De Niro as gang leader Al Capone and Sean Connery as Irish-American...
. Since that point he has appeared in numerous films and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
roles; his more recent television résumé
Résumé
A résumé is a document used by individuals to present their background and skillsets. Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons but most often to secure new employment. A typical résumé contains a summary of relevant job experience and education...
includes The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., often referred to as just Brisco or Brisco County,The series is referred to as just Brisco or by Brisco County by the creator and executive producer Carlton Cuse, actors involved with the show, and by many critics. Some examples include:* Cuse, Carlton, DVD extra...
and The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
.
In 1998 he played the demon Barbas
Barbas (Charmed)
Barbas, the Demon of Fear, is a fictional character cast as a major foe from the WB Television Network television series, Charmed...
in the WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
series Charmed
Charmed
Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
. His character was supposed to appear in only one episode, but due to popularity with fans he was brought back for six additional episodes, appearing in five of the show's eight seasons.
His ongoing film resume includes: Delta Force 2
Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection
Delta Force 2 is a 1990 action film, and a sequel to the Chuck Norris film, The Delta Force , also starring Norris as Maj. Scott McCoy...
, Tremors 4: The Legend Begins
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins is a 2004 straight to video movie, that premiered January 2, 2004 on the Sci-Fi channel. It is the fourth film in the Tremors series of monster films. It is a prequel to the earlier movies.-Plot:...
and Pale Rider
Pale Rider
Pale Rider is a 1985 American western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in the lead role. This movie has plot similarities to the classic Western Shane , including in its final scene, as well as previous Eastwood films featuring his Man with No Name character and his 1973...
, as a hired hitman. He also was featured in Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's 2001 short film/music video "You Rock My World
You Rock My World
"You Rock My World" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson from his tenth, and final, studio album Invincible . The song was released as the lead single from the album in August 2001 by Epic Records. The lyrics pertain to being in love and trying to gain a woman's affection...
." Drago also played a mysterious stranger who gave a boy a special key in the Mike + The Mechanics music video for "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
"Silent Running " is a pop rock song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, it was the first track from their 1985 self-titled debut album...
" in 1985. Drago's latest movie roles were in Gregg Araki
Gregg Araki
Gregg Araki is an American independent filmmaker. He is involved in New Queer Cinema.-Early life:Araki was born in Los Angeles but grew up in Santa Barbara, California...
's 2004 film Mysterious Skin
Mysterious Skin
Mysterious Skin is a 2004 drama film directed by American filmmaker Gregg Araki, who also wrote the screenplay based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Scott Heim...
, the horror remake The Hills Have Eyes
The Hills Have Eyes (2006 film)
The Hills Have Eyes is a 2006 horror film and remake of Wes Craven's 1977 film The Hills Have Eyes. Written by filmmaking partners Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur of the French horror film Haute Tension, and directed by Aja, the film follows a family who becomes the target of a group of...
, and a rare leading role in Takashi Miike
Takashi Miike
is a highly prolific and controversial Japanese filmmaker. He has directed over seventy theatrical, video, and television productions since his debut in 1991. In the years 2001 and 2002 alone, Miike is credited with directing fifteen productions...
's Masters of Horror
Masters of Horror
Masters of Horror is an informal social group of international film writers and directors specializing in horror movies and an American television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network.- Origin :...
episode Imprint
Imprint (Masters of Horror episode)
Imprint is the thirteenth episode of the first season of Masters of Horror. Directed by Takashi Miike, the episode was scheduled to premiere on January 27, 2006 but was shelved by Showtime over concerns about its extremely graphic and disturbing content...
, which Showtime pulled from the air due to "disturbing content." The episode has been released on DVD.
Filmography
- No Other Love (1979)
- WindwalkerWindwalker (1980 film)Windwalker is a 1981 western adventure film, based on a novel by Blaine M. Yorgason, starring Trevor Howard and Nick Ramus. It was shot in various outdoor locations in Utah. To maintain authenticity to the story, the film's dialogue is subtitled in English with Cheyenne and Crow languages spoken...
(1980) - Cutter's WayCutter's WayCutter's Way is a 1981 thriller directed by Ivan Passer. The film stars Jeff Bridges, John Heard, and Lisa Eichhorn. The screenplay was by Jeffrey Alan Fiskin, based on the novel Cutter and Bone by Newton Thornburg....
(1981) - Johnny Belinda (1982)
- Invasion U.S.A.Invasion U.S.A. (1985 film)Invasion U.S.A. is a 1985 action film made by Cannon Films and starring Chuck Norris. It was directed by Joseph Zito. Both Chuck Norris and his brother, Aaron, were involved in the writing. It was made in Fort Pierce, Florida. Miami landmarks, such as Dadeland Mall and Miracle Mile, can also be...
(1985) - Pale RiderPale RiderPale Rider is a 1985 American western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in the lead role. This movie has plot similarities to the classic Western Shane , including in its final scene, as well as previous Eastwood films featuring his Man with No Name character and his 1973...
(1985) - VampVamp (film)-Plot:Two college students, Keith and AJ, want to hire a stripper for their college initiation party, so they go to a dark, seedy part of town to look for a good candidate. They visit a nightclub in a barren, desolate, no-mans land section where the police rarely patrol...
(1986) - North and South, Book II (1986) (TV mini-series)
- Hunter's Blood (1986)
- Banzai RunnerBanzai RunnerBanzai Runner is a 1987 American action film starring Dean Stockwell, John Shepherd, Charles Dierkop, Rick Fitts, Dawn Schneider and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1987) - In Self Defense (1987)
- The Untouchables (1987)
- Hero and the TerrorHero and the TerrorHero and the Terror was a 1988 action film starring martial arts star Chuck Norris, directed by William Tannen. Produced by Menahem Golan, written by Michael Blodgett, and was distributed by Cannon Films. The film stars Norris as Danny O'Brien as a cop trying to stop a serial killer, Simon Moon...
(1988) - FreewayFreeway (1988 film)-Plot summary:Sarah 'Sunny' Harper becomes a witness to the work of a spree killer, shooting people on the freeway. First protected by a former cop named Frank Quinn, she later joins him trying to find the killer....
(1988) - Prime Suspect (1989)
- True Blood (1989)
- China White (1989)
- Delta Force 2: The Colombian ConnectionDelta Force 2: The Colombian ConnectionDelta Force 2 is a 1990 action film, and a sequel to the Chuck Norris film, The Delta Force , also starring Norris as Maj. Scott McCoy...
(1990) - Diplomatic Immunity (1991)
- Martial Law 2: Undercover (1991)
- GuncrazyGuncrazyGuncrazy is a 1992 American crime/drama/thriller film starring Drew Barrymore. It was directed by Tamra Davis and written by Matthew Bright. It is a loose remake of the 1950 film noir of the same name.- Plot :...
(1992) - Secret Games (1992)
- Death Ring (1992)
- The Outfit (1993)
- Cyborg 2Cyborg 2Cyborg 2, released in some countries as Glass Shadow, is a 1993 science fiction action film directed by Michael Schroeder. It is an unrelated sequel to the 1989 film Cyborg, although footage from the original is used in a dream sequence...
(1993) - The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., often referred to as just Brisco or Brisco County,The series is referred to as just Brisco or by Brisco County by the creator and executive producer Carlton Cuse, actors involved with the show, and by many critics. Some examples include:* Cuse, Carlton, DVD extra...
(1993–1994) (TV) - Deadly HeroesDeadly HeroesDeadly Heroes is a direct to video 1993 action film starring Michael Paré, Jan-Michael Vincent and Billy Drago. Directed by Menahem Golan, Deadly Heroes is notable for being one of the last films released under Golan's 21st Century Film Corporation banner. The company went bankrupt shortly thereafter...
(1993) - Never Say Die (1994)
- Lunarcop (1994)
- The Takeover (1995)
- Mirror, Mirror III: The Voyeur (1995)
- Phoenix (1995)
- Mad Dog TimeMad Dog TimeMad Dog Time is a 1996 ensemble cast crime film written and directed by Larry Bishop, released through United Artists...
(1996) - Sci-FightersSci-fightersSci-Fighters is a 1996 action film starring Roddy Piper. It was directed by Peter Svatek.-Plot summary:The film takes place in the city of Boston, in the year 2009. Detective Cameron Grayson is on the trail of Adrian Dunn , his ex-partner and his wife's murderer. Dunn has escaped from prison on the...
(1996) - A Doll in the Dark (1997)
- Blood Money (1997)
- Convict 762 (1997)
- Assault on Devil's Island (1997)
- Lima: Breaking the Silence (1998)
- Soccer Dog: The MovieSoccer Dog: The MovieSoccer Dog: The Movie is a 1999 film that follows a dog who has an uncanny ability to play soccer.-Plot:The movie begins with a now grown-up Alden telling the story of his childhood in an orphanage, and how his parents set him on the steps of the Pelton Orphan home. He says that 'soccer was the...
(1999) - Mirror, Mirror IV: Reflection (2000)
- The X-FilesThe X-FilesThe X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
– 1 episode, Theef (2000) - Very Mean Men (2000)
- Death Game (2001)
- The CircuitThe Circuit (2002 film)«The Circuit» - is a 2002 arena-fighting film starring Olivier Gruner -Plot:Years ago, Dirk Longstreet walked away from The Circuit, the merciless underground fight club with no rules, where money changes hands as men are killed. But now gangsters have got his brother, and only one more journey...
(2002) - Tremors 4: The Legend BeginsTremors 4: The Legend BeginsTremors 4: The Legend Begins is a 2004 straight to video movie, that premiered January 2, 2004 on the Sci-Fi channel. It is the fourth film in the Tremors series of monster films. It is a prequel to the earlier movies.-Plot:...
(2004) - Fort Doom (2004)
- Mysterious SkinMysterious SkinMysterious Skin is a 2004 drama film directed by American filmmaker Gregg Araki, who also wrote the screenplay based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Scott Heim...
(2004) - Demon HunterDemon Hunter (film)Demon Hunter is a 2005 action/horror film written by Mitch Gould and directed by Scott Ziehl which follows the half human/half demon Jake Greyman who works for the church as the last resort when exorcism fails...
(2005) - Blood Relic (2005)
- Seven Mummies (2006)
- The Hills Have EyesThe Hills Have Eyes (2006 film)The Hills Have Eyes is a 2006 horror film and remake of Wes Craven's 1977 film The Hills Have Eyes. Written by filmmaking partners Alexandre Aja and Grégory Levasseur of the French horror film Haute Tension, and directed by Aja, the film follows a family who becomes the target of a group of...
(2006) - CharmedCharmedCharmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
(1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005) (TV) - Masters of HorrorMasters of HorrorMasters of Horror is an informal social group of international film writers and directors specializing in horror movies and an American television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network.- Origin :...
– ImprintImprint (Masters of Horror episode)Imprint is the thirteenth episode of the first season of Masters of Horror. Directed by Takashi Miike, the episode was scheduled to premiere on January 27, 2006 but was shelved by Showtime over concerns about its extremely graphic and disturbing content...
(2006) (TV) - Lime Salted LoveLime Salted LoveLime Salted Love is a 2006 independent film starring and produced by Kristanna Loken. It is based upon a story by Danielle Agnello and Joe Hall....
(2006) - Moving McAllisterMoving McAllisterMoving McAllister is a 2007 American comedy film starring Mila Kunis, Jon Heder, Rutger Hauer, and Billy Drago. The film was shot largely in Utah and St Johns County, Florida and was produced by Camera 40 Productions...
(2007) - El MuertoEl Muerto (film)El Muerto is a live-action independent film adaptation of the comic book series, El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie created by Javier Hernandez...
(2007) - Revamped (2007)
- SupernaturalSupernatural (TV series)Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they...
(2008) (TV) (1 episode) - CopperheadCopperhead (film)-Plot:The film, set just after the U.S. Civil War, begins with an outlaw named Wild Bill riding onto an apparent battlefield; he finds an elderly Mexican who, asked what happened, replies "La Serpienta Del Diablo." Bill then walks to a carriage, a woman falls out, a copperhead slithers out, and...
(2008) - Dark Moon RisingDark Moon RisingDark Moon Rising is a horror film made in 2009 directed by Dana Mennie who also co-wrote the movie with Ian Cook. The film is about a small town girl Amy, played by Ginny Weirick who falls for wanderer Chris DiVeccio...
(2009) - Ghost Town (2009)
- Downstream (2010)
- Night of the Templar (2010)
- Hunter "War Zone"
- The Lords of Salem (2012)