RIP Powers Boothe (June 1, 1948 – May 14, 2017).
I have been following the career of Mr. Boothe ever since I saw the film “Southern Comfort” back in 1981, just before I began acting. He was always one of my favorite actors. Some of his films and television shows I love are “Red Dawn,” “Tombstone,” “Extreme Prejudice,” “Hatfields & McCoys,” “Sudden Death ,” “Men of Honor,” and “The Avengers.”
One time I was working at the Sony Studios lot on a Saturday doing re-shoots for a film I worked on, and was in the men’s room at a urinal, and Powers came in and used the urinal next to me. I kept my eyes focused on the wall in front of me. When I went to wash my hands, the paper towel dispenser was empty.
So I went into a stall and pulled out TP to dry my hands, and I heard Powers yanking on the empty dispenser. I grabbed a handful of TP and gave it to him, he said, “thanks man.”
When we both left the men’s room, I said to him, “hey Mr. Boothe, you have been a huge inspiration to me in my acting career.” He responded, “everyone who I inspire, is an inspiration back to me.”
I said, “I didn’t want to say anything in the bathroom, you know how that goes.”
And then he looked me in the eye with that super-serious Powers Boothe glare and said, “probably a good decision.” After a pause, we both burst out in laughter and went in separate directions back to our respective sound stages. That was awesome.
My condolences go out to his wife Pam and their two children, Parisse and Preston.
A private service will be held in Boothe’s home state of Texas, with a memorial celebration under consideration as well.
Donations can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors the nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.