Don Stroud Filmography: Roles You Probably Missed
- 01. Don Stroud Career Filmography: The Complete Guide to 100+ Films
- 02. Early Career Breakthrough: The Twist That Changed His Path
- 03. Complete Don Stroud Filmography by Decade
- 04. 1960s Filmography: The Foundation Years
- 05. 1970s Filmography: The Golden Decade
- 06. Key Film Roles Table: Don Stroud's Most Notable Performances
- 07. 1980s Filmography
- 08. 1990s Filmography
- 09. 2000s-2010s Filmography
- 10. Television Career Highlights
- 11. Genre Specialization and Acting Style
- 12. Frequently Asked Questions About Don Stroud
- 13. Career Statistics and Achievements
Don Stroud Career Filmography: The Complete Guide to 100+ Films
Don Stroud is an American actor born on September 1, 1943, in Honolulu, Hawaii, who has appeared in **more than 100 movies** and **over 175 television shows** across five decades of acting. His filmography spans from his 1967 debut in The Ballad of Josie to his acclaimed role as Sheriff Bill Sharp in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained (2012), making him one of Hollywood's most prolific character actors. Stroud is particularly known for playing **villains and tough guys** in films like Bloody Mama (1970), The Amityville Horror (1979), and Licence to Kill (1989).
Early Career Breakthrough: The Twist That Changed His Path
A **chance meeting with a producer** jump-started Don Stroud's acting career when he was just 23 years old, leading to a contract with Universal Pictures. This pivotal moment transformed him from a young man with martial arts skills and a background in speedboat racing into a professional actor with major film opportunities. Soon after signing, Stroud landed **good roles in major films** such as Games (1967) alongside Simone Signoret and James Caan, Coogan's Bluff (1968) with Clint Eastwood, and Bloody Mama (1970) with Shelley Winters.
His first starring roles came in American International Pictures (AIP) productions, including the crime drama Explosion (1969) and the biker film Angel Unchained (1970). These early **starring roles in B-movies** established Stroud as a versatile actor capable of handling action, drama, and horror genres.
Complete Don Stroud Filmography by Decade
1960s Filmography: The Foundation Years
- The Ballad of Josie (1967) - Bratsch
- Banning (1967) - Man at Golf Course (uncredited)
- Games (1967) - Norman
- Madigan (1968) - Hughie
- Journey to Shiloh (1968) - 'Todo' McLean
- What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968) - Barney
- Coogan's Bluff (1968) - James Ringerman
- Explosion (1969) - Richie Kovacs
1970s Filmography: The Golden Decade
- ...tick...tick...tick... (1970) - 'Bengy' Springer
- Bloody Mama (1970) - Herman Barker
- Angel Unchained (1970) - Angel
- Von Richthofen and Brown (1971) - Roy Brown
- Joe Kidd (1972) - Lamarr
- Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973) - Kirk
- Scalawag (1973) - Velvet
- Live A Little, Steal A Lot (1975) - Jack Murphy
- Taxi Driver (1976) - Policeman (uncredited)
- Death Weekend (1976) - Lep
- The Killer Inside Me (1976) - Elmer
- Hollywood Man (1976) - Barney
- Sudden Death (1977) - Dominic Aldo
- The Choirboys (1977) - Sam Lyles
- The Buddy Holly Story (1978) - Jesse Charles
- Search and Destroy (1979) - Buddy Grant
- The Amityville Horror (1979) - Father Bolen
Key Film Roles Table: Don Stroud's Most Notable Performances
| Year | Film Title | Role | Genre | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Bloody Mama | Herman Barker | Crime/Drama | Top billing over young Robert De Niro |
| 1976 | Death Weekend | Lep | Horror/Thriller | Starred opposite Brenda Vaccaro |
| 1979 | The Amityville Horror | Father Bolen | Horror | Iconic horror film |
| 1989 | Licence to Kill | Colonel Heller | Action/James Bond | James Bond franchise |
| 1997 | Perdita Durango | Santos | Crime/Action | -directed by Amy Heckerling |
| 2012 | Django Unchained | Sheriff Bill Sharp/Willard Peck | Western | Quentin Tarantino film |
1980s Filmography
The 1980s saw Stroud continuing his **villainous character work** in films like Sweet Sixteen (1983) as Billy Franklin, Armed and Dangerous (1986) as Sergeant Rizzo, Two to Tango (1988) as James Conrad, and the James Bond film Licence to Kill (1989) as Colonel Heller. During this period, he also appeared in television shows including Gidget's Summer Reunion and Murder Me, Murder You.
1990s Filmography
The 1990s featured Stroud in numerous **B-movie action films** including Twisted Justice (1990), Down the Drain (1990), Cartel (1990) as Tony King, Mob Boss (1990), The King of the Kickboxers (1990), Prime Target (1991), and the Roller Blade Seven trilogy. Notable later 1990s roles include Carnosaur 2 (1995), Soldier Boyz (1995), Little Bigfoot (1997), Wild America (1997) as Stango, and Perdita Durango (1997) as Santos.
2000s-2010s Filmography
Stroud's later career included Sutures (2009) as Voightman, his acclaimed role in Django Unchained (2012) as Sheriff Bill Sharp/Willard Peck, and Glen Now and Then (2017) as Glen (Short). His **late-career Tarantino role** brought renewed attention to his extensive body of work.
Television Career Highlights
Don Stroud guest-starred on **popular TV programs** in the early 1970s including Adam-12, McMillan & Wife, and Cannon while maintaining his film career. He became known as a **charismatic criminal** on police procedurals like Charlie's Angels, The Streets of San Francisco, and Cannon. In 2011, he appeared in Hawaii Five-0, his **last television role** before focusing on film work.
Genre Specialization and Acting Style
Stroud built his reputation playing **villains and tough guys** after director Don Siegel cast him in Madigan and later Coogan's Bluff opposite Clint Eastwood. His **martial arts fighting skills** appeared in movies like Sudden Death (1977) and Search and Destroy (1979), while his **speedboat chase scene** experience featured in Murph the Surf (1975) where he played real-life jewel thief Jack Murphy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Don Stroud
Career Statistics and Achievements
Over his **55-year acting career** (1967-2017), Don Stroud maintained remarkable productivity with an average of **2-3 film or TV appearances per year**. His filmography includes **17 horror films**, **23 Westerns**, **31 crime dramas**, and **19 action films**, demonstrating his versatility across genres. Stroud's **consistent villain work** made him one of Hollywood's most recognizable character actors, particularly in B-movies and television.
"I've done over 100 films and over 200 television shows," Stroud stated in interviews, reflecting on his extensive body of work.
Don Stroud remains married to Teri Sullivan since July 27, 1994, after previous marriages to Linda Hayes and Sally Ann Stroud. His legacy as a **prolific character actor** continues through his extensive filmography available on platforms like Apple TV, IMDB, and Rotten Tomatoes.
Everything you need to know about Don Stroud Filmography Roles You Probably Missed
How many movies has Don Stroud been in?
Don Stroud has appeared in **more than 100 movies** and **over 175 television shows** throughout his career, with some sources citing over 200 television appearances.
What is Don Stroud's most famous role?
Stroud is best known for **three major roles**: Herman Barker in Bloody Mama (1970) where he got top billing over young Robert De Niro, Father Bolen in The Amityville Horror (1979), and Colonel Heller in the James Bond film Licence to Kill (1989).
When was Don Stroud born and where?
Donald Lee "Don" Stroud was born on **September 1, 1943, in Honolulu, Hawaii**. He is the son of comedian and vaudevillian Clarence Stroud (of the Stroud Twins) and singer Ann Livermore.
Did Don Stroud work with Clint Eastwood?
Yes, Stroud appeared **opposite Clint Eastwood twice**: first in Coogan's Bluff (1968) where he played James Ringerman as Eastwood's antagonist, and later in Joe Kidd (1972) where he played Lamarr.
What was Don Stroud's breakthrough role?
His breakthrough came through a **chance meeting with a producer** at age 23 that led to a Universal Pictures contract, followed by roles in Games (1967), Coogan's Bluff (1968), and Bloody Mama (1970).
Did Don Stroud appear in Quentin Tarantino films?
Yes, Stroud played **Sheriff Bill Sharp/Willard Peck** in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained (2012), which became one of his most recognized late-career roles.