Michael Parks is widely regarded as an "actor's actor" by his peers, renowned for his extraordinary range and ability to portray striking contrasts, often within the same film. He has played dual roles, such as in Tusk (2014),where he portrayed a sophisticated serial killer opposite Justin Long and a feeble rube opposite Johnny Depp.
Parks has appeared in over 100 films and television shows throughout his 50-year career. He began as a contract player in 1961, starring as the nephew of George MacMichael on the ABC sitcom The Real McCoys (1957). He went on to play Adam in John Huston's 1966 film The Bible in the Beginning... (1966),and appeared in several NBC series, including Too Many Strangers (1962) and Pressure Breakdown (1963).
From 1969 to 1970, Parks starred in the series Then Came Bronson (1969),singing the theme song "Long Lonesome Highway", which became a hit single. He recorded several albums, including "Closing The Gap" (1969),"Long Lonesome Highway" (1970),and "Blue".
Parks has played a wide range of characters throughout his career, including Philip Colby in the ABC series The Colbys (1985),Irish mob boss Tommy O'Shea in Death Wish: The Face of Death (1994),and French-Canadian drug runner Jean Renault in Twin Peaks (1990). He has also appeared in films such as Deceiver (1997),From Dusk Till Dawn (1996),and From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter (1999).
In recent years, Parks has continued to impress audiences with his versatility and range. In Red State (2011),he played the villainous Abin Cooper, delivering a chilling performance as a soft-spoken psycho. In Tusk (2014),he starred as Howard Howe, a real-life ancient mariner, earning praise for his nuanced and captivating performance.
Throughout his career, Parks has worked with notable directors and writers, including Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino, who have written roles specifically for him. His ability to bring depth and nuance to his characters has earned him a reputation as one of the most talented and respected actors of his generation.
