L.Q. Jones

Biography

L.Q. Jones, born on August 19, 1927, and passing on July 9, 2022, was a distinguished American character actor and director, celebrated for his contributions to the films helmed by Sam Peckinpah.

Hailing from Beaumont, Texas, Jones was the child of Jessie Paralee (née Stephens) and Justus Ellis McQueen Sr., who worked for the railroad. After his service in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946, he enrolled at Lamar Junior College (now Lamar University) and later pursued law studies at the University of Texas at Austin between 1950 and 1951. His early endeavors included stand-up comedy, a stint in professional baseball and football, and even ranching in Nicaragua. Ultimately, he ventured into acting after reconnecting with a former college friend, Fess Parker, who had already found success in Hollywood by 1954. A practicing Methodist and registered Republican, he carried his values into his work.

Jones made his cinematic debut in 1955 with "Battle Cry," where he was credited as Justus McQueen. However, he adopted the character name "L.Q. Jones" as his professional alias. That same year, he appeared as "Smitty Smith" in three episodes of the western series "Cheyenne," which marked a significant milestone as the first hour-long western on network television.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Jones featured in numerous films, becoming a prominent member of Peckinpah's ensemble, with notable roles in "Ride the High Country" (1962), "The Wild Bunch" (1969), and more. He frequently collaborated with his close friend Strother Martin, with their most notable pairing in "The Wild Bunch" as the bounty hunter "T.C." Additionally, Jones had recurring roles in several western television series, including "Gunsmoke," "Laramie," and "The Virginian."