Kentotis Alvin Foree, better known as Ken Foree, was born on February 29, 1948, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a large, likable, and muscular actor. He attended Loyola University in Chicago and later studied acting at Michael Shulman's Performing Gallery in New York City.
Before his big break, Foree began his career in off-Broadway theater and worked as an assistant manager at a restaurant in Greenwich Village to make ends meet. His film debut came in 1976 with The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings.
Since then, Foree has amassed a diverse array of strong and commanding characters, both on and off the law, in both film and television. He has given impressive performances in various roles, including tough SWAT team officer Peter Washington in George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978),and rugged survivalist Benny in Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990).
Foree has also portrayed hard-nosed police officers in several films, such as The Dentist (1996),Sleepstalker (1995),True Blood (1989),and Terror Squad (1987). He made a memorable cameo as a stern televangelist in the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, directed by Zack Snyder.
More recently, Foree has appeared in The Devil's Rejects (2005) as super pimp Charlie Altamont, and in the remake of Halloween (2007) as rough-n-tumble truck driver Big Joe Grizzley. He has also shown a softer side as Roger Rockmore on the popular Nickelodeon TV series Kenan & Kel (1996),and has made guest appearances on various TV shows, including Due South (1994),The X-Files (1993),Babylon 5 (1993),and General Hospital (1963).
In addition to his acting career, Foree enjoys surfing, boxing, weightlifting, and watching basketball. He is also a history buff and enjoys traveling. Ken Foree currently resides in Los Angeles.
