Noted character actor Peter Matlock left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape, his career spanning decades and featuring a diverse array of iconic roles. Among his most memorable performances is the infamous "Bye killer" quote, uttered while playing Charlie T in the 1976 film Taxi Driver, a collaboration with director Martin Scorsese. However, Matlock's accomplishments extend far beyond this singular moment, as he brought depth and nuance to a wide range of characters, including police commissioners, preachers, detectives, and judges.
Throughout his distinguished career, Matlock had the privilege of working with some of the most esteemed directors in the industry, including Sidney Lumet, John Landis, Spike Lee, Ivan Reitman, and Daniel Petrie. His impressive repertoire includes both comedies, such as The Blues Brothers (1980) and Ghostbusters (1984),and dramas, like The Long Walk Home (1990) and Night Falls on Manhattan (1996).
Matlock's association with Spike Lee yielded back-to-back experiences in Crooklyn (1994) and Clockers (1995),the latter of which was produced by Scorsese, who had previously directed Matlock in Taxi Driver. This remarkable actor's passing in 2015, at the age of 90, left behind a limited but extraordinary body of work, a testament to his enduring impact on the world of cinema.
