Biography
Tim McIntire was a highly talented, versatile, and often underappreciated actor, composer, singer-songwriter, and musician who consistently delivered strong, impressive, and charismatic performances in both film and television. Born on July 19, 1944, he was the son of character actor John McIntire and actress Jeanette Nolan, and the brother of actress Holly McIntire. Tim began acting in plays during high school, supporting his early theatrical pursuits by working at gas stations and men's stores. With his handsome, husky appearance and a deep, rich, commanding voice of exceptional quality, McIntire made his film debut as James Stewart's son in Shenandoah (1965).
He shone in a rare leading role as the passionate 1950s rock-and-roll DJ Alan Freed in the entertaining American Hot Wax (1978). Other notable film roles included a lively college student in The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), a participant in an illegal cross-country car race in the comedic The Gumball Rally (1976), a wild cop in The Choirboys (1977), a cunning con artist in the offbeat prison drama Fast-Walking (1982), and a rugged mountain man in Sacred Ground (1983).
McIntire also lent his distinctively dry, growly, and sardonic voice to the character of Blood, the cruel and clever dog in the cult post-apocalyptic sci-fi film A Boy and His Dog (1975). He composed the film's score and performed the catchy closing theme song. Additionally, he composed scores for The Killer Inside Me (1976), Win, Place or Steal (1974), Kid Blue (1973), and Jeremiah Johnson (1972), beautifully singing the folk ballad featured during the latter’s end credits.
His television guest appearances spanned numerous popular series such as Harry O (1973), Soap (1977) (as the voice of the Devil), Kung Fu (1972), The F.B.I. (1965), Circle of Fear (1972), The New Perry Mason (1973), Bonanza (1959), All in the Family (1971), The Fugitive (1963), Gunsmoke (1955), Lassie (1954), Ben Casey (1961), and Wagon Train (1957). Beyond acting, McIntire was a prolific studio session musician and provided voice-overs for many TV commercials.
Sadly, Tim McIntire struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism, which led to his premature death from heart failure at the age of 41 on April 15, 1986.
