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Jan-Michael Vincent
1944-
Updated 3/31/2008 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born in Denver, Colorado, in July 1944, Jan-Michael Vincent relocated to southern California with his family following the end of World War II. Upon graduation from high school, Vincent enrolled in college and served in the National Guard. With some drama training under his belt, soon after completing his college studies he was cast in The Bandits (1967), shot in Mexico and directed by Robert Conrad. Following a few more roles, Vincent's career gained momentum when he was cast in the Saturday morning series The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, appearing in the Danger Island portions of the series from 1968 through 1970. In 1969, Vincent was cast in the ABC series The Survivors as Lana Turner's son, but the series was canceled after 13 episodes. Vincent's career, however, continued going well; he acted in several made-for-television films in the early 1970s and then jumped back to the big screen with a starring role in the Charles Bronson action film The Mechanic (1972). Throughout the remainder of the 1970s, Vincent starred in numerous action flicks and took on another series, this time the popular NBC series Police Story (1973-1977).
the films of jan-michael vincent
Going Home (1971)
With Robert Mitchum in the little-seen MGM drama Going Home
The World's Greatest Athlete (1973)
From Disney's wholesome The World's Greatest Athlete. LEFT: With Tim Conway. RIGHT: With John Amos
Buster and Billie (1974)
With Pamela Sue Martin in Columbia's controversial Buster and Billie
White Line Fever (1975)
As trucker Carrol Jo Hummer with Kay Lenz as his wife Jerri Kane in Columbia's White Line Fever
Baby Blue Marine (1976)
One-sheet poster from Baby Blue Marine, a romantic drama set during World War II
Shadow of the Hawk (1976)
From the Columbia adventure Shadow of the Hawk. The right photo includes Marilyn Hassett
Vigilante Force (1976)
From the United Artists release Vigilante Force
Damnation Alley (1977)
Still from the 20th Century Fox sci-fi actioner Damnation Alley with Jackie Earle Haley and George Peppard
Big Wednesday (1978)
Stills from the Warner Bros. surf epic Big Wednesday. LEFT, CENTER A, and CENTER B: Vincent as Matt. CENTER C and RIGHT: With William Katt and Gary Busey
Hard Country (1981)
As Kyle in the independent feature Hard Country
Airwolf (1984-1986 CBS TV Series)
As Stringfellow Hawke in the CBS action-adventure series Airwolf
today
In August 1996, Jan-Michael Vincent suffered serious injuries in an auto accident, leaving the actor with a broken neck. Fortunately, Vincent escaped paralysis but was left with damaged vocal cords. He continued his career after the accident for a few years; his most recent film was the indie feature Menace (2002).
Airwolf: Season One [DVD](1984) DVD
All 11 episodes from the debut season--including "Airwolf," "Bite of the Jackal," "Echoes from the Past," "Mad Over Miami," and "To Snare a Wolf"--are collected in a two-disc set. 10 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish.
Airwolf: Season Two [DVD](1984) DVD
All 22 episodes from the second season--including "Sweet Britches," "Fallen Angel," "Once a Hero," "Prisoner of Yesterday," and "Short Walk to Freedom"--are collected in a five-disc set. 17 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH).
The Undefeated [DVD](1969) DVD
After the Civil War, former Union colonel John Wayne leads his men across the border to deliver 3,000 horses to Mexico, while ex-Confederate colonel Rock Hudson, a rival, takes a group of displaced Southern settlers to the country to make a new home for themselves. After the two groups meet and a drunken brawl breaks out, Wayne tries to save Hudson and his group when they are taken hostage a by a ruthless Mexican military man. Lee Meriwether and football stars Roman Gabriel and Merlin Olsen co-star. 119 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Sandcastles [DVD](1972) DVD
Romance and fantasy mix on an exotic beach where a down-on-her-luck musician meets and falls in love with a mysterious stranger. When the man is killed in an auto accident, he returns to Earth to makes amends for crimes he committed when he was alive. With Jan-Michael Vincent, Bonnie Bedelia, Mariette Hartley, Herschel Bernardi star. 74 min.
The Mechanic [DVD](1972) DVD
Charles Bronson stars as a steely-eyed "mechanic," an unparalleled professional assassin who takes a cold-hearted apprentice (Jan-Michael Vincent) under his wing. During an adventure-filled tutelage, the pair manage to escape one threat after another, culminating in a nail-biting climax. Co-stars Jill Ireland; directed by Michael Winner. 101 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
Bite The Bullet [DVD](1975) DVD
Rousing Western adventure about a grueling 600-mile horse race at the turn of the century. Colorful performances by Gene Hackman, Jan-Michael Vincent, Candice Bergen and Ben Johnson and non-stop action highlight this sagebrush saga. 131 min. Widescreen (Enhanced) and Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; Subtitles: English, Chinese, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai; scene access.
The World's Greatest Athlete [DVD](1976) DVD
Losing college coaches John Amos and Tim Conway find the answer to their prayers when, while on an African vacation, they discover super-athletic jungle boy Jan-Michael Vincent. Winning Disney comedy also stars Roscoe Lee Browne, Howard Cosell. 92 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; outtakes; theatrical trailer.
Hooper [DVD](1978) DVD
The unglamorous and dangerous life of Hollywood stuntmen is portrayed in this comedy from star Burt Reynolds and director Hal Needham (two former stuntmen themselves). Burt plays Sonny Hooper, the industry's premier trick driver, whose body has seen better days and who is roped into performing one last death-defying stunt by a young up-and-comer (Jan-Michael Vincent). With Sally Field, Brian Keith. 100 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English stereo; scene access.
Big Wednesday [DVD](1978) DVD
Gary Busey, Jan-Michael Vincent and William Katt star as three surfing buddies who are kings of the beach in '60s California, only to find themselves 10 years later in an adult world they don't understand. Fine, underrated surfer drama from John Milius ("Red Dawn") with great sports footage. 120 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby stereo, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish; audio commentary by Milius; theatrical trailer; more.
The Winds Of War [DVD](1983) DVD
The Emmy-winning TV mini-series, bringing to life Herman Wouk's tale of a Navy family's devotion to duty and to each other in the days shortly before America's entry into World War II, features an acclaimed cast that includes Robert Mitchum, Ali MacGraw, Jan-Michael Vincent, Victoria Tennant, John Houseman, Polly Bergen, Lisa Eilbacher, and Ralph Bellamy, reprising his screen role as FDR. 14 1/2 hrs. on six discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; "making of" documentary; featurettes.
Born In East L.A. [DVD](1987) DVD
Cheech Marin takes the solo turn, writing, directing and starring in this howler about a Hispanic American who's mistakenly nabbed by Immigration and dumped in Tijuana. With Paul Rodriguez, Daniel Stern, Kamala Lopez. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish.
Six Against The Rock [DVD](1987) DVD
It was the prison that was called unbreakable, but in May of 1946 six inmates set out to blast their way out of Alcatraz...or die trying. Exiting real-life actioner stars David Carradine, Dennis Farina, Charles Haid, David Morse, and Jan-Michael Vincent. 96 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Demonstone [DVD](1989) DVD
A TV news correspondent based in the Philippines becomes the victim of a deadly, otherworldly force that calls on her to carry out an ancient curse against the family of a corrupt government official. R. Lee Ermey, Jan-Michael Vincent star.
Raw Nerve [DVD](1991) DVD
Haunting suspenser blends "Days of Thunder" and "The Eyes of Laura Mars," as a race car driver sees images in his mind of murders before they are committed. Can he track down the killer before another victim falls? Ted Prior, Jan-Michael Vincent, Glenn Ford, Traci Lords, Randall "Tex" Cobb star. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Ice Cream Man [DVD](1995) DVD
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for the Ice Cream Man!" This diabolical shocker tells of a demented frozen goodies vendor who terrorizes a suburban neighborhood. With a recent stint in a mental hospital and the memories of his ice cream man pal's murder years earlier, there's no telling what this popsicle pusher will do next. Clint Howard, Sandahl Bergman, David Naughton star. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Body Count [DVD](1995) DVD
The count is sure to climb when lovely and lethal hit woman Brigitte Nielsen sets out to take on a squad of special forces agents in this all-out actioner. Robert Davi, Steven Bauer and Sonny Chiba also star. 93 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby stereo.
Buffalo '66 [DVD](1998) DVD
Offbeat dark comedy from writer/director/star Vincent Gallo, who plays a newly-freed ex-con out to kill the Buffalo Bills player whose gridiron miscue got Gallo in trouble with loan sharks and landed him behind bars. Along the way, however, Gallo kidnaps Christina Ricci and convinces her to pose as the "wife" he's talked about to his dysfunctional parents. Ben Gazzara, Anjelica Huston, Rosanna Arquette and Mickey Rourke also star. 110 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Escape To Grizzly Mountain [DVD](1999) DVD
A young boy on a mission to free a mistreated bear cub from captivity turns to a legendary mountain man for help. Dan Haggerty reprises his "Grizzly Mountain" role in this delightful and heartwarming family adventure. With Miko Hughes, Jan-Michael Vincent and Miles O'Keeffe. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Menace [DVD](2002) DVD
Hard-edged actioner centers on Brian, a young small-time Italian-American hood who incurs the wrath of a white supremacist group when he begins dating the ex-girlfriend of their maniacal leader. With nowhere else to go, Brian turns to two members of a black gang who are already gunning for the racist cop who killed their brother, setting the stage for a racially-charged final showdown. With Johnny Green, Alison Lohman, David Proval and Jan-Michael Vincent. AKA: "White Boy." 93 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; deleted scenes; theatrical trailer.
filmography
Menace (2002) with Allen Garfield
Escape to Grizzly Mountain (2000) with Dan Haggerty and Miles O'Keeffe
The Thundering 8th (2000) with Bo Hopkins, Ron Masak, June Lockhart, Donny Most, William Windom, and Larry Wilcox
No Rest for the Wicked (1998) with William Smith, Joe Estevez, and Timothy Bottoms
Buffalo '66 (1998) with Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, Mickey Rourke, and Rosanna Arquette
Jurassic Women (1996)
The Last Kill (1996) with Joe Estevez
Orbit (1996) with Casper Van Dien
Red Line (1996) with Chad McQueen, Michael Madsen, Dom DeLuise, Corey Feldman, and Robert Z'Dar
Ice Cream Man (1995) with Clint Howard and David Naughton
Russian Roulette - Moscow 95 (1995) with Barbara Carrera and Oliver Reed
Body Count (1995) with Brigitte Nielsen
Abducted II: The Reunion (1994) with Dan Haggerty and Debbie Rochon
Deadly Heroes (1994) with Michael Pare
Hidden Obsession (1993) with Heather Thomas
Singapore Sling (1993)
Sins of Desire (1993) with Tanya Roberts
Indecent Behavior (1993) with Shannon Tweed and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
Midnight Witness (1993) with Maxwell Caulfield
Beyond the Call of Duty (1992)
Animal Instincts (1992) with Maxwell Caulfield, John Saxon, and Mitch Gaylord
The Divine Enforcer (1991) with Jim Brown, Don Stroud, and Judy Landers
The Final Heist (1991)
Hangfire (1991) with Lyle Alzado, Kim Delaney, Lou Ferrigno, Peter Lupus, and Fred Schneider
In Gold We Trust (1991) with Sam Jones
Raw Nerve (1991) with Glenn Ford and Traci Lords
Haunting Fear (1990) with Brinke Stevens
Xtro II: The Second Encounter (1990)
Alienator (1989) with John Phillip Law, Ross Hagen, and P.J. Soles
Deadly Embrace (1989) with Michelle Bauer and Linnea Quigley
Demonstone (1989) with Peter Brown
Dirty Games (1989)
Tarzan in Manhattan (1989) with Joe Lara
Hit List (1989)
Enemy Territory (1987) with Ray Parker Jr.
Born in East L.A. (1987) with Cheech Marin and Daniel Stern
Six Against the Rock (1987) with David Carradine and Richard Dysart
Get Out of My Room (1985) with Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Cassandra Peterson, and Mary Woronov
Airwolf (1984) with Ernest Borgnine
Last Plane Out (1983) with Mary Crosby and William Windom
Hard Country (1981) with Kim Basinger and Michael Parks
Defiance (1980) with Danny Aiello, Art Carney, and Joseph Campanella
The Return (1980) with Raymond Burr, Cybill Shepherd, Neville Brand, and Susan Kiger
Big Wednesday (1978) with William Katt, Gary Busey, Barbara Hale, and Reb Brown
Hooper (1978) with Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Brian Keith, Adam West, and James Best
Damnation Alley (1977) with George Peppard, Kip Niven, Jackie Earle Haley, and Robert Donner
Vigilante Force (1976) with Kris Kristofferson, Paul Gleason, Bernadette Peters, and Victoria Principal
Shadow of the Hawk (1976) with Marilyn Hassett and Chief Dan George
Baby Blue Marine (1976) with Glynnis O'Connor, Katherine Helmond, and Dana Elcar
White Line Fever (1975) with Kay Lenz, Slim Pickens, and L.Q. Jones
Bite the Bullet (1975) with Gene Hackman, Candice Bergen, and James Coburn
Buster and Billie (1974) with Joan Goodfellow, Robert Englund, and Pamela Sue Martin
Deliver Us From Evil (1973) with Bradford Dillman, George Kennedy, and Jim Davis
The World's Greatest Athlete (1973) with Tim Conway, John Amos, Billy De Wolfe, and Nancy Walker
The Mechanic (1972) with Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Keenan Wynn, and Celeste Yarnall
Sandcastles (1972) with Bonnie Bedelia, Mariette Hartley, and Gary Crosby
The Catcher (1972) with Anthony Franciosa, Jackie DeShannon, and Anne Baxter
Going Home (1971) with Robert Mitchum, Brenda Vaccaro, and Sally Kirkland
Double Jeopardy (1970) with Burt Reynolds, Norman Fell, Chris Robinson, Susan Oliver, and Richard Anderson
Tribes (1970) with Darren McGavin and Earl Holliman
The Undefeated (1969) with Rock Hudson, John Wayne, Lee Meriwether, Bruce Cabot, and Merlin Olsen
Journey to Shiloh (1968) with James Caan, Michael Sarrazin, Don Stroud, Tisha Sterling, Paul Petersen, Harrison Ford, and Robert Pine
The Bandits (1967) with Robert Conrad
The Mystery of the Chinese Junk (1967) with Tim Matheson, Teri Garr, Richard Anderson, Edward Andrews, and James Shigeta
TELEVISION SERIES
Airwolf, 1984-1986 CBS TV series. Vincent portrayed Stringfellow Hawke
The Winds of War, 1983 ABC miniseries. Vincent portrayed Byron Henry
Police Story, 1973-1977 NBC TV series. Vincent portrayed SWAT leader Yates. Also in the cast was Scott Brady
The Survivors, 1969-1970 ABC TV series. Vincent portrayed Jeffrey Hastings
The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, 1968-1970 NBC Saturday morning children's series. Vincent portrayed Link Simmons in the Danger Island show-within-a-show segments of the series
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This page premiered July 28, 2003.
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