William Michael Hootkins was born on July 5, 1948, in Dallas, Texas, marking the beginning of a life that would be filled with a diverse array of creative endeavors. In the early 1970s, he made the bold decision to relocate to London, England, a city that would become his home for the next three decades.
During his time in London, Hootkins pursued his passion for acting, honing his craft at the Theatre Intime while attending Princeton University, where he developed his proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. He also trained at the renowned London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and was a member of the same theater group as the illustrious Tommy Lee Jones at St. Marks.
Hootkins' impressive physique, characterized by his bulky and heavyset build, made him a formidable presence on screen. His acting career, which began in the mid-1970s, was marked by a wide range of notable roles in films and television shows. Some of his most memorable parts include the first Rebel fighter pilot to meet a tragic demise while attacking the Death Star in "Star Wars", the bumbling assistant to scientist Topol in "Flash Gordon", and Major Eaton, a US government representative, in "Raiders of the Lost Ark".
In addition to his film work, Hootkins had a strong presence in television, making guest appearances in a variety of shows, including "Yanks Go Home", "Agony", "Play for Today", "Tales of the Unexpected", "The Life and Times of David Lloyd George", "Brett Maverick", "Cagney and Lacey", "Taxi", "Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense", "Poirot", "Chancer", "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles", "The Tomorrow People", "The West Wing", and "Absolute Power".
One of Hootkins' most notable performances was as Sir Alfred Hitchcock in Terry Johnson's hit play "Hitchcock Blonde", a role that earned him widespread acclaim. In addition to his work in film and television, Hootkins was also a prolific voice artist, recording dozens of plays for BBC Radio Drama and providing voices for iconic individuals such as Orson Welles, J. Edgar Hoover, and Winston Churchill.
Tragically, William Hootkins' life was cut short when he passed away on October 23, 2005, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Despite his untimely passing, Hootkins left behind a lasting legacy as a talented and versatile actor, voice artist, and performer.
