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Mike Henry
1937-
Updated 4/29/2008 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born in January 1937 in Los Angeles, Mike Henry began his professional career as a football player, not an actor. He first played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and later for the Los Angeles Rams. It was during his stint with the Rams that Henry began dabbling in acting, first making brief appearances in television shows such as Cheyenne with Clint Walker. His first film role came in 1963, with an appearance in Spencer's Mountain. His next part in a film didn't come until 1965, when he was signed by Sy Weintraub to replace Jock Mahoney as Tarzan. Henry's first Tarzan film was released by American International, while his second and third were released by Paramount.
LEFT: Mike Henry in his parents' Pittsburgh home in the mid 1960s. RIGHT: Early 1960s photo of Henry during his stint with the Los Angeles Rams
the films of mike henry
Henry made three Tarzan films, all shot back-to-back between 1965 and 1966: Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (released 1966), Tarzan and the Great River (released 1967), and Tarzan and the Jungle Boy (released 1968). Although Henry was to star in the Tarzan TV series (the role eventually went to Ron Ely), after completing the grueling filming schedule in 1966 he called it quits and sued Weintraub for endangering his health and welfare during location shooting in Mexico and Brazil.
Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966)
Mike Henry's first and best Tarzan film, Tarzan and the Valley of Gold was shot principally in Mexico City, Mexico. Prominently featured is gorgeous actress Nancy Kovack, who chalked up dozens of film and TV credits during her Hollywood career.
From AIP's Tarzan and the Valley of Gold. LEFT: Mike Henry tends to Nancy Kovack in a scene from the film. RIGHT: Henry as Tarzan
Screen captures from Tarzan and the Valley of Gold
Tarzan and the Great River (1967)
The production of Tarzan and the Great River proved to be difficult. While on location in Brazil, a chimp bit Mike Henry on his jaw line, which took twenty stitches to sew up. In addition, Henry became fevered from the bite, delaying filming for nearly two weeks.
From Paramount's Tarzan and the Great River, with Jan Murray, Manuel Padilla Jr., and Diana Millay
More stills from Tarzan and the Great River
Tarzan and the Jungle Boy (1968)
Screen captures from Mike Henry's final entry in the Tarzan series, Tarzan and the Jungle Boy, filmed in Brazil. Steve Bond was chosen for the role of Boy; Bond later went on to make other films after he grew up, and he posed for Playgirl magazine in 1982
Inside O.U.T. (1971)
With Farrah Fawcett in Inside O.U.T., a pilot for a proposed comedy starring Bill Daily
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
With Jackie Gleason in Smokey and the Bandit
mike henry today
Henry's acting career continued to be successful after he left the Tarzan series; he appeared in the 1973 hit Soylent Green with Charlton Heston, and he acted in the entire Smokey and the Bandit series films as Junior, Jackie Gleason's inept son who is spurned by Sally Field on their wedding day. Henry also served as producer and production assistant for several films in the 1970s and 1980s. Henry is now retired from acting.
The Bob Newhart Show: The Complete Third Season [DVD](1974) DVD
All 24 episodes from the third season--including "Big Brother Is Watching," "Ship of Shrinks," "Life Is a Hamburger," "The Way We Weren't," and "The Ceiling Hits Bob"--are featured in a three-disc set. 10 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; featurette; audio commentary on selected episodes.
M*A*S*H: Season Six [DVD](1977) DVD
All 24 episodes from the sixth season--including "Fade Out, Fade In" (welcoming David Ogden Stiers as Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester), "Fallen Idol," the two-part "Comrades in Arms," "Your Hit Parade," and "Temporary Duty"--are featured in a three-disc set. 10 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono: Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Spencer's Mountain [DVD](1963) DVD
Compassionate drama based on a novel by "Waltons" creator Earl Hamner, Jr. that also served as the basis for that series. Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara are the heads of a struggling Wyoming family who must choose between building a new house and sending their oldest son to college. Donald Crisp, James MacArthur, Mimsy Farmer and Wally Cox also star. 118 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
More Dead Than Alive [DVD](1968) DVD
Released from prison after 18 years, murderer Cain becomes determined to start a new life and never touch a gun again. Unable to find any other work, he is forced to take a job as a sharpshooter for a travelling sideshow. But when a group of his old enemies resurface, Cain risks everything to make peace with his troubled past. Clint Walker, Vincent Price, Anne Francis, and Mike Henry star. 101 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish.
The Green Berets [DVD](1968) DVD
First major Hollywood production to deal with war in Vietnam. John Wayne leads the Special Forces troops against the deadly and determined enemy. Flame throwers, helicopter crashes, jungle tortures and strafing. 135 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English, French, Spanish; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; filmographies; production notes; scene access; theatrical trailers; documentary.
Rio Lobo [DVD](1970) DVD
Ex-Union officer John Wayne teams up with two former Confederate soldiers to track down a stolen gold shipment and find themselves in the middle of a town's battle with a crooked sheriff. Jennifer O'Neill, Victor French, Jack Elam and Jorge Rivero co-star in this rousing Western tale that was director Howard Hawks' last film. 103 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.
The John Wayne Collection, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Three-disc set includes "El Dorado," "True Grit" (Special Collector's Edition) and "Rio Lobo."
Skyjacked [DVD](1972) DVD
Intense, high-flying drama with Charlton Heston as a pilot on a commercial flight hijacked to Moscow by mysterious passenger James Brolin. At the same time, the plane's crew must take care of a pregnant woman who goes into labor while Heston deals with his relationship with ex-girlfriend and stewardess Yvette Mimieux. With Claude Akins, Jeanne Crain and Susan Dey. 101 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish, French.
Soylent Green [DVD](1973) DVD
In the year 2022, New York--and the world--is a mess, thanks to overpopulation, pollution and modern-day savagery. The government has a secret that will cure all of society's ills, and Charlton Heston is out to get it! Chuck Connors, Leigh Taylor-Young, Edward G. Robinson. 100 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, Japanese, French.
The Longest Yard [DVD](1974) DVD
Ex-pro quarterback Burt Reynolds, sent to a Florida prison for car theft, is coerced by conniving warden Eddie Albert into organizing an all-con football team to play against the guards' semi-pro squad. The result is a violent and hilarious contest you won't forget. With James Hampton, Michael Conrad. 121 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1; audio commentary by Reynolds; featurettes.
Mean Johnny Barrows [DVD](1974) DVD
He's lean, he's tough, he's mean. Fred Williamson is a macho hero, quick with a gun and Hell with his fists. And when he goes up against the Mob, it's anyone's game! Roddy McDowall, Stuart Whitman, Elliott Gould co-star. 83 min.
Adios Amigo [DVD](1975) DVD
Bumbling cowboys Richard Pryor and Fred Williamson pull off one aborted "sting" after another in this whacked-out western spoof that was also written and directed by Williamson. With James Brown, Thalmus Rasulala. 76 min.
Adios Amigo(1975) VHS
Bumbling cowboys Richard Pryor and Fred Williamson pull off one aborted "sting" after another in this whacked-out western spoof that was also written and directed by Williamson. With James Brown, Thalmus Rasulala. 86 min.
Sheba, Baby [DVD](1975) DVD
Chicago investigator Sheba Shayne returns to her old Kentucky home to help Dad defend his legitimate loan business from mob sharks. Gun-dueling with a .44 Magnum or donning a wet suit to ambush a crimelord's yacht, Pam Grier as Sheba shows why she's queen of the action stars. 90 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Smokey And The Bandit Pursuit Pack [DVD] DVD
The first film from Hollywood's fastest series stars Burt Reynolds as a scalawag delivering a shipment of contraband beer and Jackie Gleason as the sheriff obsessed with his capture. "Smokey and the Bandit" (1977) also stars Sally Field, Jerry Reed. Then, Burt puts the pedal to the metal again in "Smokey and the Bandit II" (1980), this time transporting a live elephant while dodging relentless lawman Gleason. Field, Reed, Dom DeLuise also star. Finally, Gleason is hot on the trail of that sly outlaw again, this time played by Reed, in "Smokey and the Bandit III" (1983). 4 3/4 hrs. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish.
Smokey And The Bandit (Special Edition) [DVD](1977) DVD
The first film from Hollywood's fastest series stars Burt Reynolds as the Trans Am-driving Bandit, who teams with truck-driving pal Jerry Reed to race from Georgia to Texas for a shipment of contraband beer and back in 18 hours. Sally Field is the runaway bride the duo picks up along the way, and Jackie Gleason is sheriff Buford T. Justice. 96 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; "making of" documentary; CB language glossary.
Smokey And The Bandit II [DVD](1980) DVD
Burt Reynolds puts the pedal to the metal as the Bandit once more. This time he's got to deliver a live elephant to the Republican Convention in Dallas, while trying to dodge the relentless Smokey (Jackie Gleason) and win back girlfriend Sally Field. With Jerry Reed, Dom DeLuise, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick. 96 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French; theatrical trailer.
Outrageous Fortune [DVD](1987) DVD
Uproarious ``buddyette'' comedy stars Shelley Long and Bette Midler as two struggling actresses involved with the same man. When he skips town under shady circumstances, they team to track him down. George Carlin, Peter Coyote co-star. 100 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Surround, French; trailer.
filmography
Outrageous Fortune (1987)
Smokey and the Bandit III (1983) with Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed
Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) with Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason
Smokey and the Bandit (1977) with Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason
Mean Johnny Barrows (1976) with Fred Williamson, Stuart Whitman, and Roddy McDowell
Adiós Amigo (1975) with Fred Williamson, Thalmus Rasulala, and Richard Pryor
The Longest Yard (1974) with Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, Richard Kiel, and Anitra Ford
Soylent Green (1973) with Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Chuck Connors, and Whit Bissell
Skyjacked (1972) with Charlton Heston and Yvette Mimieux
Michael O'Hara the Fourth (1972) with Dan Dailey
Inside O.U.T. (1971) with Farrah Fawcett, Bill Daily, and Herb Vigran
Rio Lobo (1970) with John Wayne and Jorge Rivero
More Dead Than Alive (1969) with Clint Walker, Vincent Price, and Anne Francis
Number One (1969) with Charlton Heston, Bruce Dern, and Bobby Troup
Tarzan and the Jungle Boy (1968) with Steve Bond
The Green Berets (1968) with John Wayne, Aldo Ray, Jim Hutton, David Janssen, and Jason Evers
Tarzan and the Great River (1967) with Jan Murray
Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966) with Manuel Padilla, Jr. and Nancy Kovack
Spencer's Mountain (1963) with Whit Bissell, Wally Cox, Henry Fonda, and James MacArthur
as producer
Abby (1974)
The Zebra Killer (1974)
television
"M*A*S*H, episode The "M*A*S*H Olympics, originally aired November 22, 1977
The Bob Newhart Show, episode Bob Hits the Ceiling, originally aired April 1974
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This page premiered April 15, 1999.
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