Luke Askew was a renowned character actor, known for his tall and rangy physique, often accompanied by long, unkempt hair, which added to his intense on-screen presence. He made a lasting impression playing a wide range of mean and formidable villains in both film and television productions over the course of his four-decade-long career.
Born on March 26, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, Askew was of English and Scandinavian descent. His interest in acting began to take shape during his high school years, and he later attended the University of Georgia, Mercer University, and the Walter F. George School of Law. However, he took a break from his academic pursuits to serve in the U.S. Air Force, where he worked in strategic air command intelligence during his college years.
Following his military service, Askew worked as a radio deejay and television announcer before transitioning to a career in acting. He started by performing in Off-Broadway stage productions in New York City, where he lived in Greenwich Village during the early 1960s and supplemented his income by working as a furniture mover. Askew eventually made the move to Los Angeles in 1966 and made his film debut in 1967 with the movie "Harry Sundown".
Askew's most iconic role is perhaps that of the stranger on the highway in the 1969 counterculture classic "Easy Rider". He also appeared in a number of other notable films, including "Cool Hand Luke", "Angel Unchained", "Rolling Thunder", "The Beast Within", and "Traveller". Additionally, he had a significant presence in Westerns, starring in the spaghetti Western "Night of the Serpent" and giving a standout performance as Luke in the gritty "The Culpepper Cattle Co.".
Askew's television credits include appearances in numerous popular series, such as "The High Chaparral", "Mission: Impossible", "Cannon", "Quincy, M.E.", "The Six Million Dollar Man", "Fantasy Island", "T.J. Hooker", "The Fall Guy", "Airwolf", "Murder, She Wrote", "Walker, Texas Ranger", "Everwood", and "Cold Case". He also had a recurring role as the polygamist Hollis Greene on the acclaimed cable TV series "Big Love".
Luke Askew passed away at the age of 80 on March 29, 2012, at his home in Portland, Oregon. He was survived by his wife and his son, Christopher, a painter and tattoo artist.
