Biography of William Popwell:
William Popwell was a talented American actor who made a significant impact in the television and film industries. Born with a lean and handsome build, he effortlessly landed guest roles in numerous popular US TV shows, including Mannix, McCloud, Emergency!, and Magnum, P.I. However, his most notable performances were in the cult classic films Cleopatra Jones and its sequel, Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold, where he played the character "Matthew Johnson".
Popwell's career took a notable turn when he co-starred alongside the legendary Clint Eastwood in five films. His first appearance alongside Eastwood was in Coogan's Bluff, where he played the role of "Wonderful Digby". The next four occasions saw him featured in the highly successful "Dirty Harry" film series. In Dirty Harry, he played a wounded bank robber who received Eastwood's iconic "Do you feel lucky, punk?" speech. He later appeared as a sadistic pimp who was executed by a vigilante motorcycle cop in Magnum Force and as a "Black Power" activist named "Big Ed" Mustapha in The Enforcer.
Popwell's final appearance alongside Eastwood was in Sudden Impact, where he played a fellow detective. Despite his success, Popwell's life was cut short when he passed away on April 9, 1999, due to complications arising from major surgery.
