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Actor Sam Bottoms Dead at 53

Appeared in Apocalypse Now , Outlaw Josey Wales

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 19, 2008 8:42 AM CST

(Newser) – Actor Sam Bottoms, who appeared in Apocalypse Now and some 30 other films, died at his LA home this week of brain cancer at age 53, the Los Angeles Times reports. Bottoms began his film career at age 15 in The Last Picture Show and was cast as surfer Lance Johnson, a sailor who travels alongside Martin Sheen in 1979's Apocalypse.

“He was a handsome, tall young man and very sweet-natured and seemed to be right for that part," Francis Ford Coppola said. "He, Larry Fishburne, and Fred Forrest were like a young family almost to me.” For his part, Bottoms said he was Coppola’s “loyal soldier. I would have done anything he asked.” One of four actor brothers, Bottoms more recently appeared in Shopgirl and Seabiscuit.

In this  2001 file photo, director Francis Ford Coppola, left, and actor Sam Bottoms appear during a photocall for their film Apocalypse Now Redux  at the Film Festival in Cannes, France.
In this 2001 file photo, director Francis Ford Coppola, left, and actor Sam Bottoms appear during a photocall for their film "Apocalypse Now Redux" at the Film Festival in Cannes, France.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Sam Bottoms, producer Laura Bickford, Lou Diamond Phillips and Timothy Bottoms at The Grauman's Chinese Theatre on November 1, 2008 in Hollywood, California.
Sam Bottoms, producer Laura Bickford, Lou Diamond Phillips and Timothy Bottoms at The Grauman's Chinese Theatre on November 1, 2008 in Hollywood, California.   (Getty Images)
Bottoms poses for a portrait during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, on January 22, 2006, in Park City, Utah.
Bottoms poses for a portrait during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, on January 22, 2006, in Park City, Utah.   (Getty Images)
In this Jan. 18, 2007, file photo, actor Sam Bottoms arrives for the premiere of Chicago 10, on the opening night of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
In this Jan. 18, 2007, file photo, actor Sam Bottoms arrives for the premiere of "Chicago 10," on the opening night of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.   (AP Photo)
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Bottoms appears in 'Apocalypse Now.'   (monkeys37)

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