Barry Atwater's Last TV Appearance

From "The Rockford Files" episode "Hotel of Fear," broadcast in December 1977, this is Barry Atwater's last TV appearance. He died in May 1978, a week after his 60th birthday. Just a few years before, he had crossed over into the guest-star A-List, if only fleetingly, with prominent and well-billed roles on shows like "Kung Fu" and "Hawaii Five-O." Here he was poorly billed in a small part, but it's an interesting one-on-one scene with star James Garner, and it has a kind of star-cameo quality that befits his exit from the medium that had treated him with occasional deference over the previous 20-plus years. Now in failing health, which is heartbreakingly evident from this clip, Atwater was preparing for the end, giving away mementoes from his career to horror maven Forest Ackerman, who had invited the actor to early fan conventions; from those appearances, and articles and interviews in genre magazines like Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland," Atwater's past sci-fi and horror roles began to coalesce into an enduring legacy.

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[Quizcoot]

I love the story of Barry when he was filming the Night Stalker in Vegas in '71. On a bet, he went into one of the big casinos in full Janos Skorzeny vampire makeup. Per the bet, no one noticed him for about 45 minutes, until some girl saw him & started freaking out! A fine actor who is sorely missed. RIP, buddy.

[ShockDoctrin]

great clip, thanks

[Mxsmanic]

He doesn't look that bad in this scene, for nearly 60 years old. Good character actor.

[Crazymike1975]

Just like Rondo Hatton, Barry Atwater died very young from years of health issues.

[AxekickerDotCom]

Christ, he was even scary in the daylight.

[queengriddle]

Yeah - I noticed his left arm is immobile right through this scene too. ...But aren't his eyes as expressive as ever?

[Basinstreetfollies]

I have a serious bone to pick with todays television producers..You hardly find many actors/actresses over 45 yrs of age. Its all about a youth market. Many of the actors todays have bearly cut they're teeth. Over 30-65 should not be a curse. If youth was a requirement for true talent. Explain why t.v. pilots are being cancelled and reality t.v. is taking over?..Hmmm

[Neville6000]

Hey, it's Surak in LA!

[bigwilliearmitage]

I just watched this episode of RF and wondered who that actor is/was. How ironic that this was his last appearance on TV.

[7777Lydia]

Great clip great actor sad that he died so

young. Can you show the conplete episode of Hotel of fear. Thank You