Samuel John Bottoms (October 17, 1955 – December 16, 2008) was an American actor and producer.
Early life
Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara, California, the third son of James "Bud" Bottoms (a sculptor and art teacher) and Betty (Chapman), both of whom outlived him. He was the brother of actors Timothy Bottoms (born 1951), Joseph Bottoms (born 1954) and Ben Bottoms (born 1960).
Career
When Bottoms was 16 years old, he was on the set of The Last Picture Show, in which his older brother Timothy starred, when the director Peter Bogdanovich decided to give him a screen test. He ended up in the movie as the character of Billy, who has no spoken lines but plays a pivotal role in the drama. Five years later, Bottoms appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Bottoms may be best remembered for his role as surfer Lance B. Johnson, a Navy Gunner's Mate stationed on a river boat in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. Bottoms acquired hookworm during the chaotic production in the Philippines, and the parasite "wrecked his liver".
Death
At age 53, Bottoms died of glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumor, on December 16, 2008. He was cremated and his ashes given to his widow.
Filmography
Film
The Last Picture Show (1971) as Billy
Class of '44 (1973) as Marty
Zandy's Bride (1974) as Mel Allan
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) as Jamie
Apocalypse Now (1979) as Lance B. Johnson
Up from the Depths (1979) as Greg Oliver
Bronco Billy (1980) as Leonard James
Gringo mojado (1984) as Murray Lewis Jr. Prime Risk (1985) as Bill Yeoman Hunter's Blood (1986) as David Rand Gardens of Stone (1987) as Lt. Webber After School (1988) as Father Michael McCarren Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) as Himself Dolly Dearest (1991) as Elliot Wade Ragin' Cajun (1991) as Legs North of Chiang Mai (1992) as Michael Sugar Hill (1993) as Oliver Thompson The Trust (1993) as James Baker Project Shadowchaser III (1995) as Kody Snide and Prejudice (1997) as Therapist Schaub Joseph's Gift (1998) as Robert Keller The Unsaid (2001) as Joseph Caffey Shadow Fury (2001) as Mitchell Madsen Looking Through Lillian (2002) as Gene True Files (2002) as Alex Lomax Seabiscuit (2003) as Mr. Blodget Havoc (2005) as Lt. Maris Shopgirl (2005) as Dan Buttersfield Winter Passing (2005) as Brian SherryBaby (2006) as Bob Swanson Sr. Finishing the Game (2007) as Martey Kurtainbaum (final film role)
Television
Doc Elliot (1974) as Gary Basquin
Savages (1974) as Ben Campbell
Lucas Tanner (1974) as Ron Gibbons
Cage Without a Key (1975) as Buddy Goleta
Marcus Welby, M.D. (1976) as Ed
Greatest Heroes of the Bible (1978) as Joseph
The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978) East of Eden (1981) as Cal Trask Desperate Lives (1982) as Ken Baynes Return to Eden (1983) No Earthly Reason (1984) as Coley Island Sons (1987) as Sam Faraday The Witching of Ben Wagner (1987) as Mr. George 'Dad' Wagner Murder, She Wrote (1989–1991) as Joe Hellinger / Sgt. Joe Rice 21 Jump Street (1990) as Robert Johnson Zooman (1995) as Policeman The X Files (1995) as Michael Kryder My Neighbor's Daughter (1998) as Dennis Cromwell Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (1997) as Camera Man NYPD Blue (2004) as David Lewis
Producer
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991)