FILM BADDIE DEAD

Billy Drago dead at 73 – Star of The Untouchables and The Hills Have Eyes dies after stroke

MOVIE star Billy Drago has died at the age of 73 following a stroke.

The actor - who mastered the role of the suave baddie - starred in gangster film The Untouchables and horror The Hills Have Eyes.

Advertisement
Billy Drago as a henchman of Al Capone in the 1987 gangster film The UntouchablesCredit: Kobal Collection - Rex Features
Drago has died at the age of 73 following a strokeCredit: Rex Features

He also featured in Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider and played the demon Barbas on TV show Charmed.

Drago was born William Eugene Burrows in Hugoton, Kansas, into a theatrical family.

His father was an actor and director while his mum was of Romany descent - and he took her maiden name for the stage.

Drago started out working as a stuntman before moving to New York to begin his acting career.

Advertisement
Drago played gangster Frank Nitti in The UntouchablesCredit: Kobal Collection - Rex Features
Drago, right, playing Frank Nitti opposite government agent Eliot Ness, played by Kevin CostnerCredit: Getty - Contributor
Billy Drago, left, alongside Richard Jaeckel and Chuck Norris in the 1990 film Delta Force 2Credit: Kobal Collection - Rex Features
Billy Drago with his actress wife Silvana Gallardo at an awards ceremony in 1988Credit: Getty - Contributor
Advertisement

He first started landing roles in the late 1970s - appearing in films like Cutter’s Way, No Other Love and Windwalker.

Drago also made a living appearing on TV in guest roles for shows like Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting, Walker Texas Ranger, Trapper John, M.D. and The X-Files.

MOST READ IN SHOWBIZ

AUTHOR OF SUBSTANCE
How legendary author Barbara Taylor Bradford made her £160m fortune
UN-BELIEVE-ABLE
Cher ‘shocked’ to find out her real name after birth certificate mix-up
APPY DATING!
Oscar winning star joins dating app after declaring 'someone needs to step up'
golden girl
Legendary TV sex symbol, 79, has barely aged 43 years after iconic show

He also appeared in the music video for the 2001 Michael Jackson song You Rock My World.

Drago's actress wife Silvana Gallardo died in 2012.

Advertisement

He is survived by son Darren E Burrows - himself an actor who starred in the TV series Northern Exposure.


Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220.

We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com