Jan-Michael Vincent, a virile and handsome youthful star of the 1970s and 1980s, initially demonstrated early potential for superstardom by portraying rebellious young men bucking the system in films such as The Tribe (1970),White Line Fever (1975),and Baby Blue Marine (1976). He also showcased his versatility by playing men of action on either side of the law in productions like The Mechanic (1972),Vigilante Force (1976),and The Winds of War (1983).
Born in July 1944 in Denver, Colorado, Vincent's all-American looks caught the attention of a talent scout while he was finishing his National Guard stint. He made his screen debut in The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk (1967),followed by appearances in Journey to Shiloh (1968) and the Hanna-Barbera kids TV show The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (1968) in the "Danger Island" segment.
Throughout the 1970s, Vincent remained extremely busy, sharing the spotlight with notable stars such as John Wayne, Rock Hudson, Charles Bronson, Slim Pickens, and Robert Mitchum in high-profile productions.
In 1984, Vincent landed the role of Stringfellow Hawke in the helicopter action series Airwolf (1984),co-starring Ernest Borgnine. The show concluded after three seasons, and subsequently, he primarily appeared in low-budget, B-grade action and sci-fi films, including Alienator (1990),The Deadly Avenger (1992),Deadly Heroes (1993),and Lethal Orbit (1996).
His last film was the lackluster gang movie White Boy (2002),and ongoing health issues and personal problems seemed to preclude his return to the screen.
Jan-Michael Vincent will be most remembered by film enthusiasts for his iconic roles, including his portrayal of a smirking, apprentice hit man to Charles Bronson in The Mechanic (1972),his feisty performance as "Matt" in the exceptional surf movie Big Wednesday (1978) alongside Gary Busey and William Katt, or his rebellious character Carol Jo Hummer battling corruption in White Line Fever (1975).
