Louie Nicholas Elias Jr., a natural-born athlete, hails from Burbank, California, and showcased exceptional skills in various sports, particularly football and rugby. During his time at UCLA, he played football for the Bruins team at the iconic Rose Bowl under the guidance of esteemed coach Red Sanders, who led the team from 1949 to 1957.
Louie's professional football career saw him play in the Canadian Football League, before he briefly joined the ROTC to avoid the draft. However, he did not enjoy his experience at reserve camp and eventually left. Knee injuries forced him to be cut from his professional football team, prompting him to re-evaluate his career.
He then transitioned to the entertainment industry, starting as a film extra and gradually moving into bit parts in movies. His first movie stunt job on the set of Spartacus (1960) at Universal Studios resulted in his first stunt injury, courtesy of actor Kirk Douglas, who accidentally poured soup over him, leaving a scar on his chin that would remain for life.
By the year 2000, Louie had accumulated over 150 film and television series credits to his name. He had performed numerous action scenes, including jumping from the tower in F-Troop, fighting his way out of The Wild Bunch, racing in Vanishing Point, and taking the brunt for many chiseled-featured actors.
In addition to his stunt work, Louie also ventured into screenwriting and later became a commercial actor. His impressive career spanned many decades, earning him the nickname "Action Louie."
Louie Nicholas Elias Jr. passed away on December 13, 2017, at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lifetime of achievements in the entertainment industry.
