William Eugene Burrows Jr. (November 30, 1945 â€" June 24, 2019),
known professionally by his stage name Billy Drago, was an American
television and film actor. Drago's films, in which he was frequently
cast as a villain, included Clint Eastwood's western Pale Rider and
Brian De Palma's The Untouchables. He also had recurring roles in the
television series The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and
Charmed.Burrows was born in Hugoton, Kansas, the son of William
Franklin Burrows Jr., and Gladys Marie Wilcox (1917â€"1993) on
November 30, 1945. He later took his grandmother's maiden name as his
stage name to avoid being confused with another actor. Growing up, his
parents would drop him off at the movie theater often in their rural
town.After leaving high school he started out as a journalist for the
Associated Press, and later became a popular voice on radio that took
him first to Canada then to New York City. After a brief stint with a
touring theater group, he worked as a stuntman at Boot Hill in Dodge
City, Kansas. From there he went on to the University of Kansas. After
finishing college, he joined an acting company.Drago began his acting
career in 1979. His early films included No Other Love, Windwalker and
the Jeff Bridges vehicle Cutter's Way. He went on to guest star in
numerous television series, including Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting,
Walker Texas Ranger and Trapper John, M.D..
known professionally by his stage name Billy Drago, was an American
television and film actor. Drago's films, in which he was frequently
cast as a villain, included Clint Eastwood's western Pale Rider and
Brian De Palma's The Untouchables. He also had recurring roles in the
television series The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and
Charmed.Burrows was born in Hugoton, Kansas, the son of William
Franklin Burrows Jr., and Gladys Marie Wilcox (1917â€"1993) on
November 30, 1945. He later took his grandmother's maiden name as his
stage name to avoid being confused with another actor. Growing up, his
parents would drop him off at the movie theater often in their rural
town.After leaving high school he started out as a journalist for the
Associated Press, and later became a popular voice on radio that took
him first to Canada then to New York City. After a brief stint with a
touring theater group, he worked as a stuntman at Boot Hill in Dodge
City, Kansas. From there he went on to the University of Kansas. After
finishing college, he joined an acting company.Drago began his acting
career in 1979. His early films included No Other Love, Windwalker and
the Jeff Bridges vehicle Cutter's Way. He went on to guest star in
numerous television series, including Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting,
Walker Texas Ranger and Trapper John, M.D..
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