Robert Tessier; 20 Years as Tough Guy in TV, Movies

Robert Tessier, whose shaved head and menacing countenance made him a forbidding presencein dozens of films and television shows, has died of cancer, a longtime friend said thisweek.

Diane Haggerty said Tessier was 56 when he died of cancer in Lowell, Mass., on Oct. 11. He had returned to Lowell, his native city, when he learned his illness was fatal, Haggerty said.

Cast throughout his 20-year career as villain or “tough guy,” Tessier broke into films in 1970 with “Cry Blood, Apache.” His last picture was this year’s “Night-wish.” In the interim he was Rude Water in the acclaimed TV series, “Centennial,” Amtrac in the film “Hooper,” Magua in “Last of the Mohicans,” another TV film, and Kevin in “The Deep,” a 1977 feature picture of underwater villainy.

His other pictures included “The Longest Yard,” “Hard Times” and such TV series as “Vegas,” “The Fall Guy,” “Charlie’s Angels” and others.

Born to an American Indian and French family, Tessier determined as a youth to become an actor. He came to Los Angeles in the 1960s after service in the Korean War where he was awarded the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.

He was befriended by Lindsay Crosby, Dennis Hopper and Dan Haggerty, all strugglingactors at that point. His first roles were in low-budget motorcycle pictures.

Divorced, Tessier is survived by two sons, three daughters, his mother and two sisters.

A memorial celebration will be held at The Outlaws, a Playa del Rey club, on Sunday.