Trey Wilson

American actor (1948–1989) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Donald Yearnsley "Trey" Wilson III (January 21, 1948 – January 16, 1989) was an American character actor known for playing rural, authoritarian-type characters, most notably in comedies such as Raising Arizona and Bull Durham.[1][2][3]

Born
Donald Yearnsley Wilson III

(1948-01-21)January 21, 1948
Houston, Texas, U.S.
DiedJanuary 16, 1989(1989-01-16) (aged 40)
Resting placeForest Park Cemetery, Houston, Texas, U.S.
Quick facts Born, Died ...
Trey Wilson
Born
Donald Yearnsley Wilson III

(1948-01-21)January 21, 1948
Houston, Texas, U.S.
DiedJanuary 16, 1989(1989-01-16) (aged 40)
Resting placeForest Park Cemetery, Houston, Texas, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Houston
OccupationActor
Years active1976–1989
Spouses
Cynthia June Brinson
(m. 1969; div. 1974)
(m. 1975)
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Career

During his career, Wilson appeared in numerous stage productions and 30 films or television shows, including guest roles on Spenser: For Hire and The Equalizer. On stage, he co-starred in the ragtime-era musical Tintypes on Broadway, appeared in The Front Page at Lincoln Center and on Broadway, and appeared with Sandy Duncan in Peter Pan. He also appeared in Pat Benatar's music video "Love Is a Battlefield", as the father who throws her out of the house.

His most memorable roles in film were in Raising Arizona, as unpainted furniture store owner Nathan Arizona, and Bull Durham, as Joe Riggins, manager of the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team.[2][1] The end credits of The Silence of the Lambs and Miss Firecracker dedicate the films to him.

Personal life and death

Born in Houston, Texas, to Donald Yearnsley Wilson and Irene Louise Wilson, he attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire and then majored in English and theater at the University of Houston.[1] It was there that Wilson met Judy Blye, a well-known New York soap opera casting agent, and they were married on August 25, 1975. He was a cousin of former Texas Republican State Senator Kim Brimer.[2]

Wilson died at the age of 40 from a cerebral hemorrhage in New York City on January 16, 1989,[3][4] and was buried at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston five days later, on what would have been his 41st birthday.[2]

Released after his death, Wilson's final film was Great Balls of Fire!, the biopic of Jerry Lee Lewis, where he played American record producer Sam Phillips.[1][4] He had been cast in the Coen brothers' film Miller's Crossing at the time of his death,[3] and was replaced by Albert Finney.[2]

Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...
Trey Wilson film credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1976Drive-InGifford[5]
1977Three WarriorsChuck
1978Vampire HookersTerry Wayne[6]
1978The Lord of the RingsVoice[5]
1979Three-Way WeekendHoward Creep
1984Places in the HeartTexas Voice #3Voice
1984A Soldier's StoryColonel Nivens
1985The ProtectorTruck Driver
1985MarieFBI Agent
1986F/XLt. Murdoch
1987Raising ArizonaNathan Arizona, Sr.[5][7]
1987End of the LineSheriff Maxie Howell
1987The House on Carroll StreetLieutenant Sloan[8]
1988Bull DurhamJim "Skip" Riggins[9][10]
1988Married to the MobRegional Director Franklin
1988TwinsBeetroot McKinley
1989Miss FirecrackerBenjamin Drapper
1989Great Balls of Fire!Sam Phillips
1989Welcome HomeColonel Barnes
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Television

More information Year, Title ...
ACTOR television credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1985 Robert Kennedy and His Times Jimmy Hoffa 3 episodes
1986–1987 Spenser: For Hire Jack Weller / Terry Vogel 2 episodes
1987 The Equalizer Peter Marstand Episode: "A Place to Stay"
1990 Law & Order Defense Attorney Eddie Cosmatos Episode: "Everybody's Favorite Bagman"
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References

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