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Fred Williamson

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For the Consul-General of Kashgar, see Frederick Williamson.

Fred Williamson
Williamson in 2010
Born
Frederick Robert Williamson

(1938-03-05) March 5, 1938 (age 86)[1][2][3]
Gary, Indiana, U.S.[1]
Other names
  • The Hammer
  • Black Caesar
EducationFriedrich Froebel High School[4]
Alma materNorthwestern University
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film director
  • producer
Years active1968–present
Spouses
Ginette Lavonda
​
​
(m. 1960; div. 1967)​
[5]
Linda Williamson
​
(m. 1988)​
[5]
Children3[6] or 6[4]
American football career
No. 24
Position:Defensive back
Personal information
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
College:Northwestern
Undrafted:1960
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:36
Player stats at PFR

Frederick Robert Williamson (born March 5, 1938),[1][2] nicknamed "the Hammer", is an American actor, filmmaker, and former professional football defensive back who played mainly in the American Football League (AFL) during the 1960's.[7][8] He was a top sports star during the decade, and become a leading man in blaxploitation and action films beginning in the 1970's.[2]

WIlliamson played in college at Northwestern University, and played in the National Football League (NFL) with the Pittsburgh Steelers for one season. In the AFL, Williamson played with the Oakland Raiders for four seasons, becoming a three-time AFL All-Star (1961, '62, '63). He then played three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where was a one-time AFL Champion ('66). During his football career, he earned the nickname "the Hammer" for his aggressive playing style, which incorporated martial arts techniques.[9]

After retiring from football in 1968, Williamson made a string of a guest and supporting roles on television and in films. He played his first leading role in the blaxploitation Western The Legend of Nigger Charley (1972), which he reprised in two sequels. He stared as Tommy Gibbs in the 1973 crime drama film Black Caesar and its sequel Hell Up in Harlem.[2] Williamson also had roles in other 1970s blaxploitation films such as Hammer (1972), That Man Bolt (1973)[2] and Three the Hard Way (1974). Later in the decade, he worked extensively in Italian cinema, and also began to direct and produce his own films.

Early life and education

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Born in Gary, Indiana,[2] Williamson was the only child born to Frank, a welder[1] and Lydia Williamson. Williamson attended Froebel High School in Gary, where he ran track and played football. He graduated in 1956.[4] After high school, Williamson left Gary to attend Northwestern University[9] on a track and field scholarship,[4] earning a degree in architecture.[10]

An avid martial artist, Williamson holds black belts in Kenpō, Shotokan karate and taekwondo.

Professional football career

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After playing college football for Northwestern[9] in the late 1950s, Williamson was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers.[11] When during training camp he was switched to their defense, his attitude over the switch prompted him to play his position with too much aggression, and the coach of the 49ers asked him to quit "hammering" his players. Thus, "The Hammer"[9] quickly stuck and became his nickname.

Williamson was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers and played one year for the Steelers in the National Football League in 1960.[1][2] Next, he moved to the new American Football League. Williamson played four seasons for the AFL's Oakland Raiders, making the AFL All-Star team in 1961, 1962, and 1963. He also played three seasons for the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs.[1] During his period of playing for the Chiefs, Williamson became one of football's first self-promoters, nurturing the nickname "The Hammer" because he used his forearm to deliver karate-style blows to the heads of opposing players, especially wide receivers. Before Super Bowl I, Williamson garnered national headlines by boasting that he would knock the Green Bay Packers starting receivers, Carroll Dale and Boyd Dowler, out of the game. He stated "Two hammers to Dowler, one to Dale should be enough".[12]

His prediction turned out to be an ironic one because "they (Green Bay) broke the hammer" as Williamson himself was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter on the way to a 35–10 defeat. Williamson's head met the knee of the Packers' running back Donny Anderson. Williamson later suffered a broken arm from his own teammate when Chiefs linebacker Sherrill Headrick fell on him.[13] Williamson finished his eight-season pro football career in 1967 with a history of many hard tackles, passes knocked away, and 36 pass interceptions in 104 games. Williamson returned his interceptions for 479 yards and two touchdowns. After signing with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League during the 1968 season, but not having played in a league game, Williamson retired.

Acting career

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Williamson at the Festival de Cine de Sitges, October 2008.

Williamson became an actor much in the mold of star running back Jim Brown. He acted alongside Brown in films such as Three the Hard Way (1974), Take a Hard Ride (1975), One Down, Two to Go (1982),[2] which also featured Jim Kelly.[14][15][16] Other films with Brown were Original Gangstas (1996) and On the Edge (2002).[2] Williamson also guest starred with Brown in various television roles. In October 1973, Williamson posed nude for Playgirl magazine, preempting Brown's appearance in 1974. Williamson's early television roles included a role in the original Star Trek episode "The Cloud Minders" (1969), in which he played Anka. He also played Diahann Carroll's love interest in the sitcom Julia.[2] In an interview for the DVD of Bronx Warriors, Williamson stated that his role in Julia was created for him when he convinced the producers that the Black community was upset that Julia had a different boyfriend every week.

Williamson's early film work included roles in M*A*S*H (1970) and Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970). He portrayed an escaped slave who flees westward in The Legend of Nigger Charley (1972). He played the role of an African-American gangster in the film Black Caesar (1973) and its subsequent sequel, Hell Up in Harlem (also 1973).[2] Williamson also starred in the 1975 western film Boss Nigger, in which he played the title role. After this he appeared as an actor in several films, most of which are considered to be of the "blaxploitation" genre. Williamson starred alongside Peter Boyle and Eli Wallach in the movie Crazy Joe (1974).

Williamson co-starred in the short-lived series Half Nelson (1985). During the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s, Williamson frequently appeared on television as a spokesman for King Cobra malt liquor ("Don't let the smooth taste fool you."), as did fellow actor/martial artist Martin Kove. In 1994, Williamson, along with many other black actors from the 'Blaxploitation' movie era (namely Antonio Fargas, Pam Grier, Rudy Ray Moore, and Ron O'Neal) made a cameo appearance on Snoop Doggy Dogg's music video "Doggy Dogg World", where he appears as himself using his pro-football nickname "The Hammer". Williamson co-starred with George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino in From Dusk till Dawn (1996), directed by Robert Rodriguez. He was in the cast of the original The Inglorious Bastards (1978), which would later inspire Tarantino's 2009 film of similar name.

Williamson has continued his career as an actor and director into the 21st Century, appearing in the reboot film Starsky & Hutch (2004) derived from the 1970s television series.

Monday Night Football

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In 1974, Williamson was hired by the ABC television network to serve as a color commentator on Monday Night Football, replacing Don Meredith, who had left to pursue an acting and broadcasting career at rival network NBC. Williamson was used on a few pre-season broadcasts, but was quickly declared unsuitable by ABC.[17] He was relieved of his duties at the beginning of the regular season, becoming the first MNF personality not to endure for an entire season. He was replaced by the fellow former player (and fellow Gary, Indiana, native) Alex Karras.

Working with clique of actors

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Williamson has co-starred in a number of films with Bo Svenson. They include, The Inglorious Bastards (1978),[18] Deadly Impact (1984),[19] Delta Force Commando (1987),[20] The Kill Reflex (1989),[21] Three Days to a Kill (1991),[22] and Steele's Law (1991)[23]

Directing and producing

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Since the 1970s, Williamson has had another career as a director and producer. His first film as producer was Boss Nigger (1975), in which he also starred. His second film as producer was with Mean Johnny Barrows (1976), a predecessor of the Rambo films which similarly featured a violent Vietnam Vet plot (though the novel First Blood on which the film First Blood was based was written in 1972). He has since directed over 20 features. In the middle of the 1970s, Williamson relocated to Rome, Italy and formed his own company Po' Boy Productions, which started to produce actioners including Adios Amigo (1976) and Death Journey (1976), both of which starred and were directed by Williamson. Although his most recent efforts as director and producer have mainly been direct-to-video, Williamson remains an active film maker.

Personal life

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Williamson has been married twice. His first marriage was to Ginette Lavonda from 1960 until 1967.[5] Williamson has been married to Linda Williamson since 1988.[5] Williamson has at least three children[6] but some sources state he has at least six.[4] Since 1997, Williamson has had a home in Palm Springs, California.[24]

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1970 M*A*S*H Dr. Oliver 'Spearchucker' Jones
Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon Beach Boy
1972 The Legend of Nigger Charley Nigger Charley
Hammer B.J. Hammer
1973 Black Caesar Tommy Gibbs
The Soul of Nigger Charley Charley
Hell Up in Harlem Tommy Gibbs
That Man Bolt Jefferson Bolt
1974 Crazy Joe Willy
Three Tough Guys Joe Snake
Black Eye Shep Stone
Three the Hard Way Jagger Daniels
1975 Boss Nigger Boss Nigger
Bucktown Duke Johnson
Take a Hard Ride Tyree
Mean Johnny Barrows Johnny Barrows Also director
The New Spartans Lincoln Jefferson Washington IV
1976 Adios Amigo Big Ben Also director
Death Journey Jesse Crowder Also director
No Way Back Also director
Blind Rage
Joshua Joshua
1977 Mr. Mean Mr. Mean Also director
1978 The Inglorious Bastards Pvt. Fred Canfield
1980 Fist of Fear, Touch of Death Himself
1981 Fear In The City John Dikson
1982 Vigilante Nick
1990: The Bronx Warriors The Ogre
One Down, Two to Go Cal Also director
The New Barbarians Nadir
1983 The Last Fight Jesse Crowder Also director
The Big Score Detective Frank Hooks Also director
Warrior of the Lost World Henchman
1984 Warriors of the Year 2072 Abdul
Deadly Impact Lou
1985 White Fire Noah Barclay
1986 Foxtrap Thomas Fox Also director
The Messenger Jake Sebastian Turner Also director
1987 Black Cobra Det. Robert Malone
Inglorious Bastards 2: Hell's Heroes Feather
1988 Delta Force Commando Capt. Samuel Beck
Taxi Killer
Deadly Intent Curt Slate
1989 Black Cobra 2 Det. Robert Malone
1990 The Kill Reflex Soda Cracker Also director
Delta Force Commando II: Priority Red One Captain Sam Back
Black Cobra 3 Det. Robert Malone
1991 Black Cobra 4
Steele's Law Lt. John Steele Also director
1992 Three Days to a Kill Cal Also director
State Of Mind Loomis
Deceptions Brady
1993 South Beach Mack Derringer Also director
1995 Silent Hunter Sheriff Mantee Also director
1996 From Dusk till Dawn Frost
Original Gangstas John Bookman
1997 Night Vision as Dakota 'Dak' Smith
Pitch Himself Documentary
1998 Ride Casper's Dream Dad
Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror Sheriff Skaggs
Whatever It Takes Paulie Salano
2000 Active Stealth Capt. Reynolds
Submerged Captain Masters
Down 'n Dirty Dakota Smith Also director
The Independent Himself
2001 Deadly Rhapsody Jake
Shadow Fury Sam
The Rage Within Dakota Smith
2002 On the Edge Also director
2004 Starsky & Hutch Captain Doby
If Love Hadn't Left Me Lonely Willie Brownlee Davis Also director
2005 Transformed The Hammer
2006 Spaced Out The Hammer
Crooked Jack Paxton
2007 Vegas Vampires Fred Pittman Also director
Fighting Words Gabriel
Revamped Captain Michaels
2010 Shoot the Hero! The General
Street Poet Gabriel
Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption Moses
2012 The Voices from Beyond Agent Farley
Last Ounce of Courage Warren Hammerschmidt
Dropping Evil Commander Death Blood
2013 .357 Hammer
2014 Billy Trigger Pops
2015 Atomic Eden Stoker
2017 Check Point Chester
A Chance in the World Charlie
2018 Unkillable Master Lee
Jackson Bolt Tommy
A Stone Cold Christmas Mark Kurt
2019 Bodyguard Wars
VFW Abe Hawkins
2021 Devil's Triangle Pluto

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1968 Ironside Det. Sgt. La Peer TV series
1969 The Outsider Randall
Star Trek: The Original Series Anka TV series; Season 3, Episode 21, "The Cloud Minders"
The Bold Ones: The Protectors Arnold Bartell/Officer Williams TV series
1969–71 Julia Steve Bruce/Dave Boyd
1972–74 Soul Train Guest TV series
1973–76 Police Story Sergeant Bunny Green/Snake McKay TV series
1974 The Rookies Johnny Barrows TV series
1978 Wheels Leonard Wingate TV miniseries
1979 Supertrain Al Roberts TV series
CHiPs Ty
Fantasy Island Jackson Malone
1981 Lou Grant Crusher Carter TV series
1985 Half Nelson Chester Long TV series
The Equalizer Lt. Mason Warren
1988 Amen Barnet Thompson TV series
1994 Renegade Jean Luc Leveaux TV series
1996 Arliss Fred Williamson TV series
1997–98 Fast Track Lowell Carter TV series
1998 Blackjack Tim Hastings TV movie
Psi Factor Fred Milton Di genova/Fred Milton Di Genova TV series
2000 The Jamie Foxx Show Himself TV series
2001 Carmen: A Hip Hopera Lou TV movie
2002 Sexual Preadator Alert Host TV series
2005 Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide Coach Stax TV series
2007–08 Hello Paradise TV series
2009 Knight Rider DEA Director
Pushing Daisies Roland 'Rollie' Stingwell
2012–15 Comedy Bang! Bang! Chief/Dale's Boss TV series
2014–16 Real Husbands of Hollywood Jet Black TV series
2017 Being Mary Jane Frank Pearl TV series

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Louis Paul (2002). Tales from the Cult Film Trenches: Interviews with 36 Actors from Horror. McFarland. ISBN 9780786484027. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Melvin Donalson (2010). Black Directors in Hollywood. UOT. ISBN 9780292782242. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  3. ^ Vincent LoBrutto. TV in the USA: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas [3 volumes]. ISBN 9781440829734. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Indiana Football Hall of Fame". Indiana Football. 1996. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d Harold D. Edmunds (2015). The Hammer: An American Hero. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 9781524515034. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "At Home, Fred's A Nice, Nice Guy". Google Books. EBONY Magazine/Johnson Publishing Company. January 1975. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  7. ^ Roger Ebert (May 17, 1983). "Fred Williamson: "I Like the Life."". The Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
  8. ^ "Fred Williamson". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2007. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007.
  9. ^ a b c d "FRED "THE HAMMER" WILLIAMSON – THE MAN WITH A PLAN". Chicago, NFLAlumni. November 5, 2016. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  10. ^ "Fred Williamson: "I like the life." | Interviews | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. December 14, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  11. ^ "Recent standouts among top 100 undrafted free agents". NFL.com.
  12. ^ "100 Greatest Super Bowl Moments". go.com.
  13. ^ Mickey Herskowitz, "Winning the Big I", The Super Bowl: Celebrating a Quarter-Century of America's Greatest Game. Simon and Schuster, 1990. ISBN 0-671-72798-2.
  14. ^ British Film Institute - 10 great blaxploitation movies From Shaft to Super Fly, these 1970s crime movies put blackness front and centre. Can ya dig it?
  15. ^ Rotten Tomatoes - TAKE A HARD RIDE, CAST & CREW
  16. ^ Film Affinity - One Down, Two to Go, Cast
  17. ^ "A History of Monday Night Football". Bleacher Report.
  18. ^ TimeOut, Friday 10 February 2023 - The 50 best World War II movies, 40. The Inglorious Bastards (1978) Written by Phil de Semlyen, Tom Huddleston
  19. ^ ' '80s Action Movies on the Cheap, Daniel R. Budnik, 2017 - ISBN (print) 978-07864-9741-6 - Page 63 Deadly Impact
  20. ^ TV Guide - Delta Force Commando
  21. ^ BFI - The Kill Reflex (1989) Film details
  22. ^ BFI - Three Days to a Kill (1991), Film Details
  23. ^ BFI - Steele's Law (1991), Film details
  24. ^ Blair, Iain (January 3, 2008). "Desert home companions: a wide range of industry pros, from stars to stuntmen, have put down roots in P.S.". Daily Variety: V Plus: Palm Springs International Film Festival. Reed Business Information, Inc.
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