L.Q. Jones

Justus Ellis McQueen Jr., known professionally as L. Q. Jones, was an accomplished American actor and director, with his career spanning from 1955 to 2006. Born on August 19, 1927, Jones's acting journey began with the film Battle Cry in 1955, where he was credited under his birth name. The character's name in that film, L.Q. Jones, left such an impression on him that he adopted it as his stage name for all his forthcoming roles. He appeared in several notable films, including Sam Peckinpah's Ride the High Country, Major Dundee, The Wild Bunch, The Ballad of Cable Hogue, and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Later in his career, Jones gravitated towards character roles in films like The Mask of Zorro and A Prairie Home Companion. Besides films, he was also periodically featured in popular western TV series such as Cheyenne, Gunsmoke, Laramie, Wagon Train, and The Virginian.

Apart from acting, Jones had a stint as a director, most notably for the 1975 science fiction film A Boy and His Dog. In his personal life, Jones possessed diverse interests ranging from stand-up comedy to professional baseball. His journey took a dramatic turn when he drifted from ranching in Nicaragua to build an enviable career in acting, after correspondences with his former college roommate Fess Parker proved influential. On July 9, 2022, L.Q. Jones passed away from natural causes at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 94.