American actor and director William Martin Gulager, better known by his stage name Clu Gulager, is well-recognized for his roles in both films and television. His acting career began with bit parts in American TV series like “Have Gun, Will Travel,” one of the most popular programs in television history that aired on the CBS network. He also appeared in the TV programs “The Tall Man” and “The Rebel.” In Don Siegel’s murder drama “The Killers,” he made his big-screen debut as a hired killer. It was adapted from a short story by renowned author Ernest Hemmingway the same name. Additionally, he has acted in films like Charles Jarrott’s “The Other Side of Midnight” and John Landis’ comedy-thriller “Into the Night.” He rose to fame as the star of the gruesome movie “The Return of the Living Dead.” Both the critical and financial success of the movie. It received four nominations for Saturn Awards and has developed a cult following over time.
Early Childhood & Life
On November 16, 1928, in Holdenville in Hughes County in east central Oklahoma, the United States, Clu Gulager was born William Martin Gulager. His father, John Delancy Gulager, a lawyer by profession and a former actor, raised him. His father gave him the moniker “clu-clu” in honor of the birds that were nesting in their home when he was born.
Gulager was a cowhand on his uncle’s ranch where he grew up. When he was old enough, he spent a few years in the US Marine Corps. He started appearing in army plays during this period and eventually became interested in acting.
Prior to attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas, he attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He also apprenticed for a while with the well-known French actor and director Jean Louis Barrault.
The career of Clu Gulager
In 1958, Gulager made his acting debut in an episode of the hit TV show “Have Gun, Will Travel.” He appeared in an episode of the criminal drama series “The Lawless Years” the following year. He also appeared in episodes of “The Untouchables,” “Alfred Hitchcock,” and “Dr. Kildare” on television.
He made his big-screen debut in the 1964 movie “The Killers,” which was based on an Ernest Hemingway short tale of the same name. Ronald Reagan, an actor who later served as US President, also appeared in the movie; it was his final role before he permanently hung up his acting boots.
Gulager continued to have prominent parts in 1960–1962 television productions including “The Tall Man.” One of the key parts was Billy the Kid, which he played. Later, he had a major part in the well-known TV series “The Virginian.” From 1962 until 1971, the program aired for nine seasons. He also made an appearance in the 1969 movie “Winning,” which was about a racecar driver.
He appeared in other TV series and TV movies during the following few years, including “Kung-Fu,” a martial arts TV series, “Hit Lady,” “Police Story,” a crime drama TV series, and “Cannon,” a detective TV series. He also had a part in the drama movie “The Other Side of Midnight” from 1977. It was based on Sidney Sheldon’s book of the same name.
He proceeded to make appearances in many TV episodes and TV movies during the 1980s, including “The Fall Guy,” “Airwolf,” and “Kenny Rogers as the Gambler” (1982–1986). His leading performance in the 1985 horror comedy “The Return of the Living Dead” was among his efforts for the big screen. Over time, the movie has gained cult significance.
He appeared in the John Landis film “Into the Night” (1985) in a supporting capacity. Cameo appearances by various movie actors and directors, including Landis himself, helped make the movie famous.
He portrayed a bartender in the action-horror movie “Feast” in 2005. In the 2008 and 2009 sequels “Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds” and “Feast III: The Happy Finish,” he played the same character again. He starred as Vic, the title character, in the 2006 short film.
He was spotted in 2012 in a supporting part in John Gulager’s comedy-horror movie “Piranha 3D.” The movie didn’t do well financially. He most recently appeared in the 2015 movie “Tangerine.” His most recent performance on a large scale appeared in the 2016 drama/romance film “Blue Jay.”
Bigger Works of Clu Gulager
The Virginian, a well-liked television series, featured Clu Gulager as one of the lead characters. Nine seasons overall, from 1962 to 1971, were broadcast. The series, which was partially based on Owen Wister’s book “The Virginian: Horseman of the Plains,” was incredibly well-liked. James Drury, Dong McClure, Lee Cobb, and Charles Bickford were the other actors who portrayed the series’ other characters.
The Return of the Living Dead, an American horror movie, featured Gulager in the title role. The plot involved a warehouse owner and his pals against a horde of zombies. The movie gained notoriety for popularizing the idea of zombies consuming human brains. Don Calfa, Thom Mathews, and John Philbin also acted in the movie. The movie was financially successful, making more than three times its original investment.
Recognition & Achievements
Clu For their work in “The Virginian” in 1966, Gulager and his fellow actors received the “Bronze Wrangler Award” for “Best Fictional Drama ensemble Cast.”
Gulager directed the short film “A Day with the Boys,” which was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1969.
He received a Saturn Award nomination in 1986 for “Best Supporting Actor” for his work in the movie “Hunter’s Blood.”
Individual Life of Clu Gulager
From 1952 until her passing in 2003, Miriam Byrd-Nethery was Clu Gulager’s wife. Tom and John Gulager, their two sons, carried on their father’s legacy. John Gulager became a director while Tom Gulager became an actor.
Clu Gulager Net Worth
Clu Gulager has a net worth of $10 million and works as both an actor and a director. In November 1928, Clu Gulager was born in Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma. He appeared as Billy the Kid on the television series The Tall Man from 1960 to 1962, and he has more than 160 acting credits to his record. From 1963 to 1968, Gulager played Emmett Ryker in the TV show The Virginian.
The Last Picture Show, Winning, The Return of the Living Dead, McQ, The Killers, The Other Side of Midnight, Into the Night, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, Piranha 3DD, Tangerine, Blue Jay, and many other movies feature him as a leading man. Both the 2012 film Moments and the 1969 short A Day with the Boys were directed by Gulager.
He was nominated for a Cannes Film Festival Award in 1970 for A Day with the Boys and a Saturn Award in 1987 for Hunter’s Blood. He earned a Western Heritage Award in 1966 for The Virginian. Tom and John Gulager are also performers, and he was married to actress Miriam Byrd Nethery Gulager until her passing in 2003.