In Remembrance: Nicholas Worth

     Nicholas Worth, the imposing character actor who had a three-and-a-half decade career playing cinematic heavies, has passed away on May 7, 2007 in Van Nuys, CA. He was 69.

     Born September 4, 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri, Worth became interested in acting at age eight after his great aunt took him to see The Three Musketeers. After earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, he served as a paratrooper in the Vietnam War for three years. Following his discharge in 1965, Worth relocated to Los Angeles and studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse.

     Worth made his big screen acting debut in the 1968 Billy Graham inspirational movie For Pete’s Sake. His next role was in the blaxploitation horror film Scream, Blacula, Scream (1973), which he followed with appearances in Black Fist (1975), Coma (1978) and The Glove (1979).

     Being cast in the role of a strangler terrorizing Los Angeles in the 1980 thriller Don’t Answer The Phone! proved to be Worth’s breakthrough role, paving the way for strong supporting roles in such films as Swamp Thing (1982),City Heat (1984), Action Jackson (1988), Darkman (1990) and Barb Wire (1996). He also spoofed in his tough guy image in roles in the comedies Armed And Dangerous (1986), The Naked Gun (1988) and High School High (1996).

     Worth also made several television appearances over the course of his career including the series Cannon, Emergency!, Baretta, WKRP In Cincinnati, The Rockford Files, Fantasy Island, Knight Rider and Moonlighting.