Claude's Grandson
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Polaris01313-1 — 18 years ago(August 20, 2007 02:08 AM)
Hello, Conrad
I used to watch your grandfather on The Misadventures Of Sherriff Lobo, back in the late Seventies and early Eighties. I never missed a single episode. I thought it was a pretty cool show.
I also enjoyed his work in the films Inherit The Wind, Return Of The Magnificent Seven, The Devil's Brigade, and Battle For The Planet Of The Apes.
He was definately the hippest and the coolest when it came to playing tough and heroic characters. I certainly miss him and his work. He was truly an extraordinary man and a gentleman.
I also enjoyed his work on The Twilight Zone, too. Particularly the episode The Monsters On Maple Street. That was a classic. -
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Steve17109 — 18 years ago(November 27, 2007 01:31 PM)
Hi Conrad. I'm stationed in Iraq and I've just finished watching your grandfather in an episode of "The Big Valley." He played an Irish immigrant named Jimmy Callahan. Once I saw him onscreen a smile crossed my face. He was great. He got into a great fight with Nick Barclay (Peter Breck). He wasn't a bad guy, just a man out to help his family and friends in the story.
I also enjoyed him in the "Twilight Zone" where he was the only neighbor who didn't succumb to the alien paranoia like everyone else. I thought it was cool I had the first name as his character, "Steve."
Anyway, just wanted to say I always liked your grandfather's work. -
sbgwll — 17 years ago(June 04, 2008 11:18 PM)
Hello Conrad. I was wondering if you know of a relative of yours named Aaron. He is 26 and lives in Georgia. Not sure exactly how he is related. Anyway, he is my best friend and we often talk about Claude Akins and his work.
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bohn007 — 14 years ago(October 08, 2011 03:59 AM)
Your Granddad was one of the all-time great Character Actors,and one of my all-time favorites. 'Movin' On' was (In my opinion) his greatest achievement, but he was great in anything he did, from 'From Here To Eternity' to 'Sheriff Lobo'. I met him way back in 1975, briefly, when he came to my hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, to do PR for Kenworth, and 'Movin' On'.
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happypaws — 13 years ago(February 16, 2013 10:00 AM)
It's so nice to see all the people who appreciate your grandfather's work! I don't know how familiar you are with his roles, but there is one I've been trying to identify for a number of years.
It was a western comedy and I believe that Strother Martin was playing your grandfather's partner/friend. It could have been a TV movie or even an episode of a series (but I don't think it's the latter.)
There is one line that he had after shooting Strother Martin: with a super-sad expression he stared off and asked, "Why do I always kill the one I love?"
The way he said the line was absolutely hilarious, and I have remembered it many years and wanted to see it again. As I recall, the whole movie was quite well-written and funny.
Do you possibly have any idea? Could anyone else help me out?
Thanks,
Carolyn in Memphis -
Jeanne1 — 11 years ago(August 30, 2014 08:23 PM)
Carolyn in Memphis, the movie is The Great Bank Robbery from 1969, Claude Akins plays Slade.
He has another hilarious line when he is arrested for littering, ( had been drinking) and totally out of character for a really tough guy like Slade he sadly weeps while being put in a jail cell and in a high voice he whines "Is this going to go on my record?" And then he can't hold back his sobs. You have to see it, it is too funny! I always wondered if that line was in the script or ad lib. The dvd is available on amazon. Hope you can order it & enjoy this very funny film again
I am trying to find good dvd's of the series Movin' On. My whole family used to watch that show together & we all loved it.
Claude Akins is stand out in anything he's in, a great actor. I've read here that he was also a very kind hearted man and that makes me admire him all the more. -
kurtbrian14 — 11 years ago(September 26, 2014 10:05 AM)
I think he was one of the best actors on television, and underrated. I just wish the people in power would have given him better roles to play.
Ultimately is was the best gorilla general ever created, and the ultimate cowboy bad guy. And I liked him as a sheriff. I just think his best creative talents were never utilized. -
Brenny625 — 11 years ago(February 11, 2015 05:20 AM)
Hi Conrad!
I am just sitting here watching your grandfather's Twilight Zone episode. What a wonderful actor. I have always loved him. He looks so much like my Uncle. I watch him every chance I get and have very fond remembrances. What a wonderful actor! -
Byrdz — 10 years ago(August 26, 2015 08:27 AM)
Hiya Conrad I wonder if you ever take a peek here at these letters about your Grandfather. I hope so.
Starting when I was a kid prb68obably younger than you and I was asked "Who is your favorite actor?" .. I would reply "Claude Akins !!!" and always got that "Who the heck is that?" response. It is so GREAT now to know that he is known, loved and missed by so many many people.
Sadly, most of the people seem to know him only as either Lobo or Sonny Pruitt. They are missing so much !!! I have made a collection of films, film clips and tapings of tv episodes . I have a scrapbooks with copies of posters and shots from almost all of his films and tv shows. Wouldn't that make a great "films of " book ???
I first noticed him in "Sister Ann", an old Loretta Young Show where he had a bandage on his face the whole show and didn't know he was falling in love with a nun His VOICE was so fantastic !!! Then I found "The Caine Mutiny"'s Horrible Guglash and the quest was on.
Anyway it would be hard for me to pick a "favorite" performance by your grandfather with so many to choose from BUT if pressed I really liked the preacher in "Inherit the Wind" one of his absolute meanest characters and another meany in "Falling From Grace" when he gets smacked with the frying pan !!!!! and then there was etc etc etc !