Actor Jan-Michael Vincent (1945-2019) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-08-2019, 12:12 PM

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Jan-Michael Vincent, best known for playing the lead role in the 1980s CBS series “Airwolf,” died on Feb. 10 after suffering cardiac arrest, according to a death certificate obtained by several outlets. His death, first reported by TMZ, has only now come to light. He was 73.

His image as a baby-faced blonde heartthrob was at odds with his history of violence and substance abuse. The troubled 1970s TV star had a long string of arrests and charges relating to domestic violence, drug possession, and alcohol abuse.

Vincent’s acting career began in 1967, when he was spotted by a talent scout just after finishing a stint in the California Army National Guard. His first film was the Robert Conrad movie “The Bandits.”

Born in Denver, he was signed to Universal Studios in the late ’60s by casting agent Dick Clayton, and in 1969, he appeared in the John Wayne and Rock Hudson Civil War pic “The Undefeated.”

Vincent’s film career took off in the 1970s, during which time he appeared opposite Robert Mitchum in “Going Home” (1971), played Charles Bronson’s hit-man protege in the iconic Michael Winner film “The Mechanic” (1972), and starred in the Gene Hackman Western “Bite the Bullet” (1975) about a marathon, 700-mile horse race.

His other movie roles included “Buster and Billie,” TV movie “The Tribe,” surf movie “Big Wednesday,” “Hooper,” and “Damnation Alley.”

In 1984, Vincent was cast as the daring pilot Stringfellow “String” Hawke, who flew the titular “Airwolf” helicopter and led its crew on daring espionage missions.

During his three-season stint on “Airwolf,” Vincent became one of the highest-paid actors in American television, earning a reported $200,000 per episode. Vincent started seeking help for drug and alcohol problems while he was still on the show.

In 2000, Vincent was forced to pay over $350,000 as part of a default judgment made against him, after he physically assaulted a former girlfriend, causing her to miscarry their child. He was sentenced to 60 days in prison that same year for violating his probation for prior alcohol-related arrests by appearing drunk in public and assaulting his fiancée.

After “Airwolf,” he was only able to secure small parts through the 1990s, including in “Nash Bridges” and Vincent Gallo’s “Buffalo ’66.” His last credit came in 2002, and in 2012 he had his lower leg amputated after an illness.

He was married at least twice and had a daughter with his first wife.

Torgo · 03-08-2019, 12:25 PM

Loved him in Hooper. Also the Disney film The World's Greatest Athlete, the post-apocalyptic flick Damnation Alley, the horror film Shadow Of The Hawk. And the underrated Baby Blue Marine.

MA · 03-08-2019, 12:32 PM

Rest in peace.

dakert · 03-08-2019, 01:27 PM

RIP Jan Michael Vincent. I liked your movie Tribes

Steve_uk · 03-08-2019, 01:48 PM

I will remember him as Byron Henry in Herman Wouk's 1983 Winds of War in his typical military role. Such a shame his personal life was a mess as he struggled abortively with his demons with seemingly no-one to turn to for solace, death now in this state almost coming as a release. He always made acting look so simple like his co-star Robert Mitchum, putting the likes of Tom Cruise in the shade.

I hope this tribute meets with his approval. https://youtu.be/fGvIGAbHW2A

dee2364 · 03-08-2019, 01:54 PM

Very strange that it was only reported now.

Anyway, I'm very shocked in spite of how bad a condition he's been all these years. For some reason, I thought he'd become "that guy" (the trooper who beats the odds and ironically outlives his peers). What a strange, tragic career and life he had.

Bonniegirl · 03-08-2019, 03:20 PM

Very sad !! OMG so many celebrities dying lately!!

My Sister and I thought he was so cute in the 70's when he first became famous and we saw him in TV movies!

May he RIP

AB · 03-08-2019, 06:32 PM

Rest in peace. A girl I went to school with had a big crush on him. She had a picture taped to the inside of her notebook so she could stare at him.

Heenan Fan · 03-17-2019, 06:17 PM

RIP to JMV

I liked him alongside Earnest Borgnine on Airwolf.

Penny Lane · 03-17-2019, 09:12 PM

My younger sister had a crush on him back in the day. He was a handsome thing! May he rest in peace.

03-08-2019, 12:12 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,566	Actor Jan-Michael Vincent (1945-2019) Link Jan-Michael Vincent, best known for playing the lead role in the 1980s CBS series “Airwolf,” died on Feb. 10 after suffering cardiac arrest, according to a death certificate obtained by several outlets. His death, first reported by TMZ, has only now come to light. He was 73. His image as a baby-faced blonde heartthrob was at odds with his history of violence and substance abuse. The troubled 1970s TV star had a long string of arrests and charges relating to domestic violence, drug possession, and alcohol abuse. Vincent’s acting career began in 1967, when he was spotted by a talent scout just after finishing a stint in the California Army National Guard. His first film was the Robert Conrad movie “The Bandits.” Born in Denver, he was signed to Universal Studios in the late ’60s by casting agent Dick Clayton, and in 1969, he appeared in the John Wayne and Rock Hudson Civil War pic “The Undefeated.” Vincent’s film career took off in the 1970s, during which time he appeared opposite Robert Mitchum in “Going Home” (1971), played Charles Bronson’s hit-man protege in the iconic Michael Winner film “The Mechanic” (1972), and starred in the Gene Hackman Western “Bite the Bullet” (1975) about a marathon, 700-mile horse race. His other movie roles included “Buster and Billie,” TV movie “The Tribe,” surf movie “Big Wednesday,” “Hooper,” and “Damnation Alley.” In 1984, Vincent was cast as the daring pilot Stringfellow “String” Hawke, who flew the titular “Airwolf” helicopter and led its crew on daring espionage missions. During his three-season stint on “Airwolf,” Vincent became one of the highest-paid actors in American television, earning a reported $200,000 per episode. Vincent started seeking help for drug and alcohol problems while he was still on the show. In 2000, Vincent was forced to pay over $350,000 as part of a default judgment made against him, after he physically assaulted a former girlfriend, causing her to miscarry their child. He was sentenced to 60 days in prison that same year for violating his probation for prior alcohol-related arrests by appearing drunk in public and assaulting his fiancée. After “Airwolf,” he was only able to secure small parts through the 1990s, including in “Nash Bridges” and Vincent Gallo’s “Buffalo ’66.” His last credit came in 2002, and in 2012 he had his lower leg amputated after an illness. He was married at least twice and had a daughter with his first wife.
	Last edited by Zoneboy; 03-08-2019 at 03:39 PM.

03-08-2019, 12:25 PM	#2
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,057	Loved him in Hooper. Also the Disney film The World's Greatest Athlete, the post-apocalyptic flick Damnation Alley, the horror film Shadow Of The Hawk. And the underrated Baby Blue Marine.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

03-08-2019, 12:32 PM	#3
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 130,111	Rest in peace.
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

03-08-2019, 01:54 PM	#6
dee2364 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 20, 2019 Posts: 643	Very strange that it was only reported now. Anyway, I'm very shocked in spite of how bad a condition he's been all these years. For some reason, I thought he'd become "that guy" (the trooper who beats the odds and ironically outlives his peers). What a strange, tragic career and life he had.
	Last edited by dee2364; 03-08-2019 at 04:06 PM.

03-17-2019, 09:12 PM	#10
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,524	My younger sister had a crush on him back in the day. He was a handsome thing! May he rest in peace. Attached Images
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

03-08-2019, 01:27 PM	#4
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	RIP Jan Michael Vincent. I liked your movie Tribes

03-08-2019, 01:48 PM	#5
Steve_uk Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 29, 2012 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 5,803	I will remember him as Byron Henry in Herman Wouk's 1983 Winds of War in his typical military role. Such a shame his personal life was a mess as he struggled abortively with his demons with seemingly no-one to turn to for solace, death now in this state almost coming as a release. He always made acting look so simple like his co-star Robert Mitchum, putting the likes of Tom Cruise in the shade. I hope this tribute meets with his approval. https://youtu.be/fGvIGAbHW2A

03-08-2019, 03:20 PM	#7
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 66,362	Very sad !! OMG so many celebrities dying lately!! My Sister and I thought he was so cute in the 70's when he first became famous and we saw him in TV movies! May he RIP

03-08-2019, 06:32 PM	#8
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Rest in peace. A girl I went to school with had a big crush on him. She had a picture taped to the inside of her notebook so she could stare at him.

03-17-2019, 06:17 PM	#9
Heenan Fan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 19, 2016 Posts: 6,001	RIP to JMV I liked him alongside Earnest Borgnine on Airwolf.