Luke Askew

Biography

Luke Askew, born in 1932 in Macon, Georgia, is an esteemed American actor renowned for his pivotal role in the iconic 1969 film Easy Rider.

Askew began his cinematic journey with a debut in Otto Preminger's Hurry Sundown (1967), but his breakthrough came with his performance in the classic Cool Hand Luke the same year. Notably, he was among the early actors of his time to sport long hair, a style he had to conceal with a hat while filming. In 1968, he starred alongside John Wayne in The Green Berets, sporting a more conventional look with shorter hair. The following year, Askew teamed up with Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda in Easy Rider, a film that solidified his status as a cult icon in modern cinema.

Since then, Askew has maintained a steady presence in the entertainment industry, frequently appearing in various television series such as Bonanza, Mission: Impossible, The Rockford Files, The Six Million Dollar Man, T.J. Hooker, L.A. Law, MacGyver, Walker, Texas Ranger, and HBO’s Big Love. He often collaborated with actor Bill Paxton.

In addition to his acting, Askew participated in the documentary Easy Rider: Shaking the Cage (1999), featured on the Easy Rider DVD. He also showcased his musical talents at The Gaslight Cafe, where Bob Dylan once described him as a vocalist reminiscent of Bobby Blue Bland, performing songs by legendary blues artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.