Whatever happened to William J. Quinn ("Bear" from "Thelma Moves Out")?

[EccentricGenius]

In season five's "Thelma Moves Out," Thelma moves in with three roommates after an argument with her older brothers, J.J. and Michael. Thelma's new roommates were Karen Clay, a classmate in her dance class; an eccentric nerd named Alvin, who had a penchant for strange animals (such a tarantula named "Thor" and a frog in the refrigerator); and an oversized hulk nicknamed "The Bear."

Actor William J. Quinn played "Bear" in "Thelma Moves Out," and I thought he delivered the most memorable performance of the episode. Perhaps his shining moment in "Thelma Moves Out" occured when "Bear" interrupted Thelma's studying while dancing to the Commodores's "Won't You Come Dance With Me." Too bad he didn't become a recurring character in subsequent episodes; he could've been a comedic foil for Thelma, or even joined J.J.'s clique "The Awesome Foursome" (it would've been renamed "The Jivesome Fivesome" had "Bear" joined, or he could've replaced one of the members).

Quinn co-starred with Clint Eastwood the following year in "Every Which Way But Loose," playing the role of Kincaid. After that, he just disappeared from Hollywood, never to be seen or heard from again.

My question is this: Whatever happened to William J. Quinn? Surely he would've had a career as a recurring actor in film and television, playing heavies and other unsavory characters. And I get the feeling Quinn used to play professional football...I wonder if that's true, because he certainly had the physique for it. Maybe he was a professional bodybuilder at one point, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno.

Drop me a line...I'd love to hear from you! Enjoy your evening, everyone!

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by EccentricGenius

In season five's "Thelma Moves Out," Thelma moves in with three roommates after an argument with her older brothers, J.J. and Michael. Thelma's new roommates were Karen Clay, a classmate in her dance class; an eccentric nerd named Alvin, who had a penchant for strange animals (such a tarantula named "Thor" and a frog in the refrigerator); and an oversized hulk nicknamed "The Bear."

Actor William J. Quinn played "Bear" in "Thelma Moves Out," and I thought he delivered the most memorable performance of the episode. Perhaps his shining moment in "Thelma Moves Out" occured when "Bear" interrupted Thelma's studying while dancing to the Commodores's "Won't You Come Dance With Me." Too bad he didn't become a recurring character in subsequent episodes; he could've been a comedic foil for Thelma, or even joined J.J.'s clique "The Awesome Foursome" (it would've been renamed "The Jivesome Fivesome" had "Bear" joined, or he could've replaced one of the members).

Quinn co-starred with Clint Eastwood the following year in "Every Which Way But Loose," playing the role of Kincaid. After that, he just disappeared from Hollywood, never to be seen or heard from again.

My question is this: Whatever happened to William J. Quinn? Surely he would've had a career as a recurring actor in film and television, playing heavies and other unsavory characters. And I get the feeling Quinn used to play professional football...I wonder if that's true, because he certainly had the physique for it. Maybe he was a professional bodybuilder at one point, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno.

Drop me a line...I'd love to hear from you! Enjoy your evening, everyone!

If you are talking about the fat guy who was dancing with the radio then I can see why he was no longer in Hollywood

[EccentricGenius]

Yep. That's the guy.