Tim McIntire was a remarkably fine, versatile, and underrated actor-composer-singer-songwriter-musician who consistently delivered strong, impressive, and charismatic performances in both movies and TV shows alike. Born on July 19, 1944, to character actor John McIntire and actress Jeanette Nolan, he was the brother of actress Holly McIntire. McIntire's early career in acting began while attending high school, where he worked in gas stations and men's stores to finance his theatrical pursuits.
Handsome and husky, with a deep, rich, and commanding voice of exceptionally exquisite sonority, McIntire made his film debut as James Stewart's son in Shenandoah (1965). He then went on to star as passionate pioneering '50s rock-'n'-roll disc jockey Alan Freed in the hugely enjoyable American Hot Wax (1978). McIntire's other notable movie roles included a raucous party hearty college student in The Sterile Cuckoo (1969),an illegal cross-country car race participant in the funny The Gumball Rally (1976),a wild-man cop in The Choirboys (1977),a shrewd top con in the offbeat prison drama Fast-Walking (1982),and a rugged mountain man in Sacred Ground (1983).
In addition to his film work, McIntire supplied the deliciously dry, growly, and sardonic voice of the cruel and cunning canine Blood in the terrific post-nuke sci-fi cult classic A Boy and His Dog (1975). He also composed the score for the picture and even sang the catchy ending-credits theme song. McIntire composed the scores for The Killer Inside Me (1976),Win, Place or Steal (1974),Kid Blue (1973),and Jeremiah Johnson (1972),and beautifully sang the lovely folk ballad that plays during the ending credits.
Among the TV shows McIntire did guest spots on are Harry O (1973),Soap (1977),Kung Fu (1972),The F.B.I. (1965),Circle of Fear (1972),The New Perry Mason (1973),Bonanza (1959),All in the Family (1971),The Fugitive (1963),Gunsmoke (1955),Lassie (1954),Ben Casey (1961),and Wagon Train (1957). Outside of acting, McIntire did voice-overs for numerous TV commercials and was a prolific studio session musician.
Tragically, McIntire struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism, which led to his untimely death from heart failure at the age of 41 on April 15, 1986.
