Charles Pelletieri, better known as Wes Bishop, was a multifaceted creative force in the film industry, often collaborating with exploitation filmmaker Lee Frost on a range of drive-in features throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Born on September 12, 1932, in Nashville, Tennessee, Bishop's early life was marked by a stint in the US army, where he served as a paratrooper and intelligence officer during the Korean War.
It was during this period that he first crossed paths with Frost, and their creative partnership would go on to yield a string of iconic films, including the tongue-in-cheek softcore horror comedy House on Bare Mountain (1962).
Their subsequent collaborations included the trailblazing Nazisploitation outing Love Camp 7 (1969),the gritty Chain Gang Women (1971),the passable biker opus Chrome and Hot Leather (1971),the hilariously campy The Thing with Two Heads (1972),the immensely fun Policewomen (1974),the gnarly blaxploitation winner The Black Gestapo (1975),and the rowdy redneck romp Dixie Dynamite (1976).
Frost frequently appeared in supporting roles in their films, often bringing a memorable presence to his characters, such as trouble-making convict Coleman in Chain Gang Women and sleazy mobster Ernest in The Black Gestapo.
In addition to his work with Frost, Bishop co-wrote the witty and inspired script for Jack Starrett's terrific Satan-worship/car-chase horror/action treat Race with the Devil (1975),produced the picture, and appeared in a minor role as a small-town deputy.
Bishop also made guest appearances on several popular TV series, including Perry Mason (1957),Combat! (1962),Bonanza (1959),and The High Chaparral (1967).
Sadly, Wes Bishop passed away at the age of 60 from a liver ailment on June 25, 1993.
