Cliff Emmich, ‘Payday’ and ‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’ Actor, Dies at 85
thewrap.comCharacter actor Cliff Emmich, who played major roles in “Payday” and “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” has died, his agent confirmed.
He was 85.Emmich’s rep and friend for over 50 years, Steve Stevens, tells TheWrap that the celebrity died Monday in Los Angeles following a long battle with lung cancer.“He was a very special man and an underrated actor,” Stevens said. “He loved being a member in good standing of Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA and so very proud of his chosen profession.
He loved being a cowboy and could ride a horse with the best of them. I’m sure Cliff would be embarrassed with all the attention he is now getting.”Emmich’s best-known roles were that of Chicago, the driver who drove the Cadillac sedan to transport honky tonk singer Maury Dann (Rip Torn), in “Payday” (1973) and as the Western Union security guard who found dress-wearing Jeff Bridges’ character attractive in Michael Cimino’s “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” (1974).He also had a role in “Halloween II” (1981) as a security guard — one that doesn’t survive Michael Myers’ hammer.
His guest appearance in Season 5 of NBC’s “Little House on the Prairie” as a shy, overweight man of middle age whose daughter is embarrassed by him was molded to Emmich.
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