Actor LQ Jones, who appeared as “heavy” in the West, dies at 94 surrounded by family

Actor LQ Jones, who appeared in a string of Western films and television often in the “heavy” role, has died of natural causes at the age of 94.

Granddaughter Artie Dejares broke the news to diversesaying that Jones was surrounded by family at his Hollywood Hills home when he died.

Jones’ career spanned more than half a century and included a series of films by acclaimed director Sam Peckinpa, who specializes in the brave and unwavering West.

During the 1970s, Jones also directed the black comedy A Boy And His Dog, based on the novel by Harlan Ellison and starring young Don Johnson.

Jones Justus Ellis McQueen Jr. was born in 1927 in the southeastern Texas town of Beaumont and named after his father, a railroad worker.

When he was just a young boy, he lost his mother Jesse in a car accident and ended up bouncing from town to town nurturing his relationships.

‘I had a horse when I was eight or nine,’ he said, ‘and I grew up around mighty cowboys – my uncle was in confinement – so westerns were easy and fun.’ Spectrum.

College was followed by a stint in the Navy, where his roommate was Fess Parker, who himself became a Hollywood actor.

Remember When: In 1962, he embarked on what would become his five-film collaboration with Sam Peckinpah, beginning with Ride The High Country (pictured)

It was Parker who gave Jones the idea to get into acting and appear in Raoul Walsh’s film Battle Cry.

Decades later, Jones recalls: “Face encouraged me to go outside and drew a map on the back of a wash shirt showing how to get to the studio.

He made his film debut in 1955 with Battle Cry under the name Justus McQueen – but his character was called LQ Jones, which provided the inspiration for his stage name.

As his acting career progressed, he appeared repeatedly in the West, from the TV series Cheyenne in 1955 to Elvis Presley’s 1960 film Flaming Star.

Remember When: During the 1970s, Jones also directed the black comedy A Boy And His Dog, based on the novel by Harlan Ellison and starring a young Don Johnson.

During the 1950s, he worked with famous directors Mervyn LeRoy and Don Siegel on Towards the Unknown and The Annapolis Story respectively.

But in 1962, he embarked on what would become his five-film collaboration with Sam Peckinpa, beginning with Ride The High Country.

Jones went on to play supporting roles in West Peckinpah such as Major Dundee, The Wild Bunch classic, and The Battle Of Cable Hogue.

His last picture was with infamous mercurial director Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, which appeared in 1973.

Throwback: He made his film debut in 1955 with Battle Cry under the name Justus McQueen – but his character was called LQ Jones, which provided the inspiration for his stage name

A few years later, Jones said Roger Ebert He and Beckenpah were good friends “for five or six years before I stopped talking to him.”

Sam was a genius and I loved him, but it was a tough case. It was driving everyone crazy,” Jones said a few years ago.

Most people after one show give it up and can’t stand it anymore. I’ve made 13 deals with Sam so you can see where you put me,” he told the site focus blondie.

You must be crazy but I loved him because he’s so good at what he does. It will make you look good. “He can’t help it and a lot of people think it was easy for Sam, but it wasn’t easy for Sam,” Jones added.

Early years: As his acting career progressed, he appeared repeatedly in the West, including in the TV series Cheyenne, which was filmed in 1955 alongside Clint Walker (right)

He would occasionally turn his hand to orient himself, beginning with the 1964 small-town drama The Devil’s Bedroom, in which he reverted to his birth name.

His most famous directorial venture was the post-apocalyptic 1975 dark comedy A Boy And His Dog, which failed at the box office but has since become a cult classic.

Jones returned to directing only once after that in a TV episode, and has since said that taking the helm of the project “requires a lot of work.”

However, acting continued apace, including on TV with Wests such as Rawhide, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley and Wagon Train.

What a career: During the 1950s he worked with famous directors Mervyn LeRoy and Don Siegel on Towards the Unknown and The Annapolis Story (pictured) respectively

He continued to work with top-tier managers later in his life, even landing a small part at Martin Scorsese’s classic casino in the 1990s.

As the twenty-first century dawned, he acted in films such as Mel Gibson starrer The Patriot and his latest feature film, Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion in 2006.

About a decade later, I told his message in the answering machine rudely callers: “I’m in somewhere, maybe just counting my money. When I cross, if I’m not too tired, I’ll answer your call.

Swan Song: As the 21st century dawned, he acted in films such as Mel Gibson starrer The Patriot and his latest feature film A Prairie Home Companion in 2006 (pictured)

But recently, three years ago, he refused to waive his retirement, emphasizing that he would start a project if it met his criteria.

I am poor independently. I can do whatever I want to do so we keep looking and if something happens we’ll take over.

On a personal note, Jones was married to his college sweetheart Sue Lewis for over 20 years before their divorce in the 1970s.

He is now survived by one daughter, Mindy McQueen, and two sons named Steve Marshall and Randy McQueen.

Joie de vivre: But three years ago he refused to relinquish his retirement, assuring that he would start a project if it met his criteria; Pictured in 2005