James Whitworth was a larger-than-life figure, boasting a rugged face, thick dark curly hair, a furry mustache, and a deep, growly voice. His robust build and intimidating demeanor made him a force to be reckoned with on screen, as he often portrayed brutish, nasty, and despicable bad guys in 1970's drive-in exploitation pictures.
Born on February 19, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Whitworth's filmography is filled with memorable roles. He played a vicious biker in "The Black Angels" (1970),a mean prison guard in the pleasingly sleazy "Sweet Sugar" (1973),one of the scuzzy low-life criminal inhabitants of "Terminal Island" (1973),and a hulking telephone repairman who's severely clobbered by a trio of desperate kidnappers in the terrific "The Candy Snatchers" (1973).
Whitworth's most iconic role, however, is that of Papa Jupiter, the ferocious father of the deranged desert-dwelling cannibal family in Wes Craven's outstanding "The Hills Have Eyes" (1977). His performance earned him enduring popularity, showcasing his ability to bring a sense of wild abandon to his roles.
In a rare change-of-pace, Whitworth also starred as the tough and valiant take-charge hero of the hugely enjoyable low-budget science fiction outing "Planet of Dinosaurs" (1978). Besides his film credits, Whitworth made guest appearances on popular TV shows such as "Mission: Impossible," "The Rockford Files," "Fantasy Island," "Emergency!," "Quincy M.E.," and "B.J. and the Bear."
Whitworth's acting career came to a sudden halt in the early 1980s. He passed away on December 15, 1991, due to lung cancer. Despite his passing, Whitworth's legacy lives on, remembered as a larger-than-life figure who left an indelible mark on the world of exploitation cinema.
