R.I.P. Two from THE WILD BUNCH! Bo Hopkins & L.Q. Jones! What were they really like? Memories! AWOW!

THE WILD BUNCH is a classic! So is the cast! Oscar winners William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Edmond O’Brien, and Ben Johnson were joined by Robert Ryan, Warren Oates, Strother Martin, Albert Dekker, Dub Taylor and now two more of the Bunch, L.Q. Jones and Bo Hopkins, have died. Of all the actors cast in the title group, only Jaimie Sanchez from the film is still alive.
Bo Hopkins died May 28, 2022, at the age of 84, followed six weeks later by L.Q. Jones, July 9, aged 94. They both appeared in many films portraying a diverse array of characters, but it is their film THE WILD BUNCH (1969) that is most discussed by their fans.
Bo and L.Q. were often sitting in the audience during interview tapings for A WORD ON WESTERNS. They each appeared as guests and joined me multiple times to share their movie tall tales with cinema and western movie hungry fans of our series.
Their passing is such a loss for all of us; friends, fans and co-workers. Bo and L.Q. always brought fun and much laughter wherever they went. Their on screen work was as unique as their personalities. They had many friends and fans, and several joined us at The Autry, July 19, 2022, to share memories of these two legendary performers.
Bruce Boxleitner worked with both. L.Q. in HOW THE WEST WAS WON and the TV remake of RED RIVER and with Bo in WYATT EARP: RETURN TO TOMBSTONE.
Oscar winning editor Scott Conrad recalls working long hours with writer/director L.Q. on his cult classic, A BOY AND HIS DOG.
Gary Combs worked for director Sam Peckinpah the first time on THE WILD BUNCH and ended up doing 6 more for the controversial director. Of course, Bo and L.Q. were part of “Bloody” Sam’s stock company.
Two acquaintances of L.Q. were in attendance, Paul Renteria and Richard “Lobo” Mendez. Both shared memories.

[@brianpress1392]

L Q, And Bo, Good old guys, you don't see that anymore, these people, to me, were the last of the old timer Great Action movies people. R.I.P. Fellows 🙏🌹

[@brianpress1392]

L Q, And Bo, Good old guys, you don't see that anymore, these people, to me, were the last of the old timers. R.I.P. Fellows 🙏🌹

[@carolley9705]

I know I'm getting old when all my fave actors are passing away.

[@alicecampos-ayala3290]

Great to see these Stunt men and the Riders Stories Stories Stories So lucky to hear them reminisce. Helps with melancholy ! May there be the making of Great Westerns!

[@gregpolutanovich1774]

Bruce Boxleitner…what a great actor and always enjoyed his movies and t.v shows…Back in the mid 2000’s while he was married to Melissa Gilbert,,she bought one of my Clint Eastwood bronzes for Bruce for Christmas.Went to their place to drop it off and both were very nice and gracious as we talked and showed me around..Great memory!

[@NickZrockandroll]

I see Bud Cardos in the photo. He was our teamster on a film. Long drives gave us the chance to talk about working at the Egyptian and Chinese Theaters. And his work on 1960s biker movies, wrangling on the Birds and others. I gave him a dvd of Deadwood 76, and he in return gave me one of Satan's Sadists. Such a great person, thanks for the talks Bud. RIP.

[@malcolmbond3596]

I'll be 81 next birthday - and in all of the that time I can remember I have been a cowboy at heart, I only rode a horse a couple of times, but as a young lad I was in hundreds of shoot outs and never lost one, it's so sad to see these legends of the film industry passing away, I don't think there will ever be a genre of films that will ever beat a good western movie, there were some not so good one's made but when you saw a good one - you came out of the cinema with a feeling that you were ten feet tall, it doesn't get better than that believe me.

[@beerdrinker6452]

Thank you for saving this oral history.

[@AWordonWesterns]

I'm sure glad I can, BD. Thanks.

[@michaelmccotter4293]

These are the kind of actors that make you envious of any western actors. Both just terrific personalities that made other top actors look good. Loved anything they both played.

[@walterminer4990]

Two more Stars in Heaven, R.I.P.!!!!!

[@kevinbarry3548]

With LQ's and Bo's passing, more and more the end of an era. Thanks for what you do to keep it alive.

[@arjay777]

Everyone seems to be forgetting that Jaime Sanchez is still very much alive, the last of the Bunch. Jaime started in the original Broadway production of West Side Story back in the 1950s.

[@hollywoodmediaprofessional3282]

He's mentioned in the description as the last one.

[@jameswalstrom2433]

Bruce Boxleitner TOTAL CLASS ACT. Thank You Bruce... GOD BLESS YOU, Even more than HE already has...

[@djdiscoworm]

Hollywood !!! When the Country music was strong [my dad a dj in the LA basin] during that time Smiley Monroe. all this happening with Country Movies And you Rob preserving the memory of these men. thank you, dj discoworm

[@tealtazmanian966]

THANK YOU for showing us the REAL MEN SIDE besides being great actors. Nice to hear and see they were more than just actors and down to earth men besides.

[@HyperspacePictures]

Nice tribute to two significant actors from a wonderful time in Cinema.

[@patrickfennell6372]

Bo and L.Q. were the ultimate bad guys. Both men could play rotten to the core villains. L.Q. and Martin Strothers played well together. Bo looked and played tough in every movie. Neither star will ever be replaced and always be remembered.

[@wadetaylor1299]

Missed this one. I loved these guys they were just as good as leading actors 👏

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Wade. They sure were!

[@wadetaylor1299]

@@AWordonWesterns thanks for all you do for us fans it's wonderful

[@garyallen8869]

From personal experience, meeting and talking with Bo Hopkins, as I often worked at many of the car shows the he and others of the American Graffiti cast would attend, always polite, funny & what I could sum up as a southern gentleman personified, but also the whimsical, southern boy up to some mischief, just a really genuine person, he will be very missed, RIP Bo, aka "Joe the Pharo" 🙏👍🏁

[@williambilyeu9801]

Great tribute, Rob. I was a big fan of L. Q. Jones and I am a fan of Bruce Boxleitner. I didn't follow Bo Hopkins so much, but I followed L. Q. Jones from "Cheyenne" to "Walker, Texas Ranger." 👍👍

[@pennygretch]

Loved those guys....They were great assets to every movie they were ever in.

[@jerryknorr679]

Rob thanks for sharing, yes both of them were very good actors and will be missed. Thanks Rob

[@ericteneyck8691]

So many of the stars from my youth are gone. On the other hand, so many of their movies are classics that as long as people appreciate them they'll live forever.

[@sailordude2094]

I watched two other L.Q. interviews you did and thought of The Wild Bunch, my wish came true, thank you! And you got Bo here too, wow.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Dude. We sure were fortunate to have such a terrific gathering. Wonderful memories.

[@dougreed2257]

Not many of these amazing Western character left now, when you grow up watching these guys as a child from the 60's like I did, then it really makes you sad when they leave us, you kind of forget that THEYV'E grown so old, as you probably remember them younger in memorable roles, that's how you see them, but sadly they have reached old age, and have now passed, rest easy lads, thanks for your hard work to entertain us🙏😢😊👍

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Doug

[@AlanRoehrich9651]

Two seriously underrated actors.

[@keithbyrd-MysticRuby0117]

Always liked the Acting of LQ Jones and Especially liked Bo Hopkins (especially when he played Coop in the Rockford Files) RIP.....There now resting in the Arms of the Lord

[@lindafurr2404]

I watched every movie that Bo Hopkins was in. I could always recognize him and LQ. Both excellent actors. They’ll never be truly gone as long as their movies are being shown. Thanks Rob.

[@salvagemonster3612]

I knew LQ and Bo both. They were such wonderful people. I will miss them. Soon my friends I will see you again as I am old and worthless.

[@Tordogor]

I really enjoyed Bo Hoskins appearances in 'Rockford Files' as a disbarred lawyer that was a very good friend of Jim Rockford. These chapters are amazingly entertainment !! Also he is unforgettable cause his crazy character in 'The Wild Bunch'. Sorry to learn of the loss of such wonderful actor. R.I.P.

[@freelander4058]

One of Bo’s first real continued paychecks. Came from A Show Called Rat Patrol

[@toinimoore3463]

Really He was in The Rat Patrol!! My Daddy Never missed a show he really liked it because he was in North Africa and Daddy said this is about as close as you will see what I went through he told me at age 13 and my Granddaddy didn’t like the show but he knew his son in law had done a lot of fighting in Africa Italy Germany Anzio So we watched it!

[@rodyates4771]

LQ and BO, we’ll never see the likes of them again.

[@kathrynmolesa1641]

LQ was always such fun to watch.

[@AWordonWesterns]

He sure was a hoot, Kat. Thanks.

[@forhisglory1778]

I just saw that Andrew Prine died on October 31st in Paris France. He was 86. We are losing a lot of cowboys!

[@SusanH4626]

Thanks Rob! Always loved LQ Jones especially when he was paired with Strother Martin! Those two did some great movies together. Bo Hopkins another great edgy actor!

[@gabriel-1957]

I grew up as a kid watching these great men great actors!😢

[@erikramaekers63]

The first time i saw Bo Hopkins in the cinema was in The Culpepper Cattle Co. (1972) He was in several great movies in the 70s like The Getaway, Monte Walsh,Posse,Midnight Express and American Graffiti of course.L.Q Jones acted in so many great movies and my favorite Elvis movie:Flaming Star.Sadly i didn't see The Wild Bunch on the big screen ( i was a bit to young)A Boy and His Dog is a one of a kind cult movie.Great tribute Rob

[@johnmitchelljr]

Just found out about Mr. Jones. I’m not only a fan but was fortunate enough to do some work for him. A real great guy and I have a little lump in my throat as I write this. A great life but equally sad. Thanks for remembering him.

[@OldBiker54]

Both still on TV,, I see LQ just about everyday,,Thanks Rob,,RIP LQ..Bo

[@alananderson5929]

What a treat for Sunday, thanks so very much.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Our pleasure!

[@kenhurley4441]

Rob,,,,, you're a Saint! Westerns are my favorite ovies! You're preserving history, one show at a time! Can't wait until you next segment!

[@rawbacon]

L.Q. Jones, must've seen that guy a hundred times and never knew his name until now.

[@jdearing46]

Some of my best memories include these men. I used to watch all the westerns with my dad. Sunday morning tv shows then afternoon movies. Many great performances I'll never forget. It makes me sad that they've given up on this genre. All the good ones are gone.

[@kompst]

Great show. Bo and LQ were two of the greats, brought a lot of humor to their scenes.

[@mjemigh3304]

Very nice and informative tribute, Rob!

[@wildhorse6098]

I met LQ several years ago at a John Wayne cancer event. Such a nice man. Sad to see the good guys go.

[@gabriel-1957]

Rob,you bring back memories as a kid, with these great western stars,God bless the work that you do, you have a good heart!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks,Gabriel. Must come from growing up watching and being influenced by westerns.

[@rickuyeda4818]

My partner , Russell Wiggins, in the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept use to be an actor under contract with Universal Studios. One day, a fan asked for his autograph. The fan was gushing about a movie he had seen.he had seen him in. The problem? He thought Russ was Bruce Boxleitner, so he signed it Bruce Boxleitner.

[@BuckJones1909]

When I heard that both had past on a little bit of me past with them! LQ has been a favorite of mine since Cheyenne with Clint Walker. And Bo was great in everything right from Wild Bunch and The Get Away! Then I saw them both on WOW with you Rob! To hear them tell about Peckinpaw’s exploits was so entertaining! I witnessed by Dad’s generation pass on with all that undocumented accumulated experience and knowledge lost, but with these two gentlemen and so many others, Rob that you have recorded we can go to yKZbin and reminisce! Thank you for creating this library of memories!

[@AWordonWesterns]

A “Library of Memories.” Nice, Don. Thanks.

[@fokkerd3red618]

Great interviews Rob. L.Q played so many different roles over the years. A person has a 75% chance of seeing him in a movie or TV episode from the last 60 years, But as they say. Time stands still for no one and we all pass on.

[@gentrystinnetti8277]

Thanks for this video. I just really love the westerns and the iconic actors who played them

[@arlineabdalian8974]

Many thanks, Rob. I always liked the work of Bo and LQ, each one a fine actor. We also lost Andrew Prine on Oct. 31. Your work is so vital to recording accurately the history of the genre and the industry as a whole. Many thanks again.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thank you, Arline. It's a great loss for all of us as we keep loosing our friends and screen legends. I feel like our continuing conversations about westerns is important to preserving their history and the genre.

[@KyleCowden]

We're getting to that era where, sadly, those that defined Westerns and that we watched on Saturday TV matinees and theaters. They defined Westerns and they defined who we were. Added in Edit: Was that Martin Kove in the Wyatt Earp sequence?

[@ypaulbrown]

two of my favorite actors, thank you for doing this video....

[@eileenallen1986]

Thankyou Rob for being such a fan of westerns.

[@thomasparnell1025]

Such a Great Tribute to Western legends Bo Hopkins & LQ Jones; Hearing those great stories about those two( especially Bo & Ben Bates) from Bruce Boxleitner was pretty Awesome, & I Hope that Bruce will continue to stay with us for a Long time too, really love his stories. Thanks Rob, Your work in remembering & honoring The Western genre is More appreciated than you know!

[@markhendon]

great episode Bob

[@Pushyhog]

thanks Rob.

[@jimd8008]

SOMETIMES, I like these remembrances better than the movies the actors were in! Thank you again Rob.

[@leemanhackworth2957]

I consider myself very lucky because back when I was working for Ozark Airlines I had the good fortune to meet...and talk with L.Q. Jones for about a half an hour. At that time he was travelling around the country advertising a movie he made..."A Boy and His Dog". I bought a dvd of the movie and really liked it. Now, at the ripe old age of 84, I've watched it several times and would love to pat Mr. McQueen (his real name) on the back. Even though I've met quite a few movie stars by way of the airlines I worked for, that man was one of the few where I did feel lucky meeting him.

[@suev3339]

Wonderful clips of those who knew or worked with Bo and LQ. I look for LQ to show up in films. He was in so many and his antics are so good. The one I like the best is his one driving that peddlers wagon in Cimarron Strip with Stuart Whitman, Randy Boone, Jill Townsend and the actor from England. 😂

[@Turner.1]

Liked both those actors, western movies without LQ, his character acting was perfect

[@wesmcgee1648]

Thanks Rob for giving these tributes to wonderful character actors. Thses guys are going quickly. Hate to lose them but it's important to remember them.

[@silvervalleystudios2486]

The years are flying by. It was like yesterday in 2014 that the last major cast member of The Magnificent Seven, Eli Wallach passed away. Now The Wild Bunch has no main cast remaining. RIP to LQ and Bo. Both great actors with their own unique personas.

[@kirkdenison7392]

A great tribute.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Great stories from Bruce, Scott, Gary, Paul and Richard about Bo and LQ, many thanks to you all for preserving these moments! And a bittersweet excuse to go watch 'The Wild Bunch' and 'A Boy and His Dog' again today.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Our pleasure, JJ. Thanks. Those films have certainly grown old with us, too, and still bring a lot of joy.

[@gregpenny4384]

Thank you very much for your video, I am feeling old, I am watching all these great actors slipping away one after another!

[@davidhileman8251]

L.Q. Jones was in so many movies and TV shows that it's easier to talk about what he did NOT appear in! One of the biggest surprises is that he never appeared on a single episode of "Bonanza"!

[@gregdavis19]

Rob, you told me a few months back you were going to shoot a memorial show for Bo and LQ, it was worth the wait very nice job. Thank you

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Greg. 😢

[@joansmith5870]

As a fan of Westerns I look forward to Sunday when a new episode about the stars and character actors of Westerns are featured. Always interesting and fascinating. As life goes on we continue to lose the best of Western players and others who made this genre so wonderful. Thank you.

[@mikelaird5458]

LQ Jones. One of the many character actors that made the tv shows and movies great. They were versatile and reliable actors. Not just guys. There were alot of women in early days as well. Loved them all in old tv westerns. RIP all.

[@mikehagan4320]

Nice job Rob and to all of those that contributed to this Great Video History. Best Wishes from Montana M.H

[@garyolivier792]

Thanks for producing these Rob. We would never hear about the lives and sometimes, passing of these great actors. Keep them coming sir! Thanks again!!

[@joseyeastwood]

Rest in Peace Bo and L.Q.

[@scottbruns2148]

Met Bo a couple of times and he was a great guy! Got to talk to him about American Graphiti and the Rockford Files he was on! He played in a soft ball league with other actors in Encino and asked him how his team did. They won the league championship that year!

[@garydavidson1970]

A touching tribute, Rob. Thanks for putting this together.

[@desertfox3860]

As always, great interviews Rob! Thanks for sharing!

[@bluey7007]

Thanks rob..wonderful tribute

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Blue. Thanks.

[@derekmurray1462]

Hugely entertaining interviews as usual rob. The Wild Bunch is a must see western and one that I come back to again and again over the years 👍☘️

[@toinimoore3463]

Thank You 🙏 for doing this for L.Q. And Bo They were So Very Special and as you showed in your Tribute to Them Just How Very Special they were and how they made friends and got others jobs who truly deserved the jobs and deeply appreciated those jobs too ! I know you worked Very fast to do this honor for them as these two men Really had been in the business for Many Years and Deserved this!Those men had many friends threw the years too ! I am Glad I have the book I wish I could have had their autographs but I will always be Happy with their pictures and your interviews and hearing their voices!! Thank You Again So Much!! You Did Make Them and Everyone’s interviews So Special!

[@marshasullivan4074]

How fantastic and sad at the same time to hear the stories about these two wonderful characters ! Just last week I caught Bo in an episode of Murder She Wrote, his first appearance just made me smile like seeing an old friend. Thank you Rob must pull at your heart strings. How lucky you were to know them all.

[@zigwald]

It's what we love about your channel, seeing the actors in a relax moment. Actors from our child hood. my wife and i can't thank you enough.

[@richb313]

A loving tribute to two great men by having stories about them both told by those that knew them LQ and Bo have appeared in so much that while recognized few know their names your work Rob helps to right this wrong.

[@bluladie]

Excellent video TY Rob. You always hit the bullseye!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Bea.

[@discernment8963]

Bruce seems like an old school stand up kinda guy, so I believe him. With L.Q. being a legitimate cowboy himself it's surprising he wasn't more aware of that sorta "cowboy code", and pushing it so hard.

[@grahamhill6340]

BO HOPKINS & L.Q.JONES what's left to say about two great and iconic western character actors... I might add that Bo was lucky enough to be in one of the best original HAWAII FIVE-O episodes (1973 One Big Happy Family) along with another western legend SLIM PICKENS, father and son of a family of killers. Great to see SCOTT CONRAD, who co-edited the cult hit A BOY AND HIS DOG for L.Q., next to that and ROCKY of course was the very film documentary that literally launched his career as an editor -THE MAKING OF BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID... a film that almost ended his career before it even really started as he had not yet served out his full 8-year apprenticeship, and the union was not too pleased he was working as a full editor before doing so. However, Scott was in the right place at the right time as this esteemed "making of" an esteemed western like BUTCH CASSIDY, gave the young man a chance to show western fans what it was really like to be on the set. The hour-long documentary was associate produced by actor Johnny Crawford and co-edited, as well as written and directed by brother Robert Crawford, and it really is the best! The documentary was added to the DVD release of BUTCH CASSIDY, but if you don't have that you can watch it now for free on KZbin. Having worked at Fox just like Scott before me, I met a few people who started out in the mail-room during the 1960's, a great time of iconic movies, I was there off/on from 1980 - 2015, and I remember when the studio acquired the documentary from Yale university that owner/director George Roy Hill left it too after he passed, to remaster it. Rob has delighted us with live-interviews with all these people I have mentioned, and like the sad deaths from Steve Carver's book, it's so much more important that we have the living history from all those photographed both on its pages and of course in the movies/TV shows themselves!

[@cajuncustomizedexcursions7064]

Such great stories you all gave shared! I grew up watching these talented guys!!! Thank you for all the wonderful memories ❤️❤️❤️

[@pattiwhite9575]

So sad to Hear of losing those two also.

[@bobkohl6779]

In 1972 there was a private screening of Peckenpah's cut of "The Wild Bunch. Only one that didn't come was Bill Holden. Sitting in front of several of the actors was a riot. They were really funny. Even Peckenpah was there. The full film was never released

[@Texasbluestunes]

LQ was from here in Texas and Bo was from SC. They both are the real thing. Men like me can identify with them, but unfortunately they both are gone. God bless ‘em.

[@hiramnoone]

I doubt if there's ever been a finer cast of character actors assembled on one film than Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch. LQ, Bo, Strother Martin, Warren Oates, Edmond O'Brien, Ernie Borgnine, Albert Dekker, Dub Taylor, Ben Johnson. Including William Holden, Robert Ryan and Peckinpah himself, all now sadly gone. So long pardners. We'll see you at sundown.

[@fenwaypark1725]

Thank you for an excellent video Rob. Great conversations.

[@ginnywalker184]

I love hearing the stories about the actors who worked together. There's so much backstory that we never know about. I think it's so important, and interesting, to hear about these fine actors who have passed. Thank you for sharing these stories with us.

[@JSB1882]

That was a really nice tribute to those two men. They were up there in my favorite character actors. My brother met Bo Hopkins at some event, and they hit it off to the point they'd chat on the phone together. My brother was just a fan and not in the "business", but I always liked that about him that he was so down to earth.

[@AWordonWesterns]

He sure was down to earth, Dave. Thanks.

[@PhilippinesFarmLife]

Sad to hear about their passing. My first thought was Ohhh! 😢

[@ladym6738]

So appreciative of you'alls work. These things needs to be rewatched over and over. Bless you.

[@cxg7381]

These were two great actors! They are missed and gave so much to the Western genre. Thank you so much, Rob, and the wonderful Bruce Boxleitner, for sharing memories of these two gentlemen.

[@ladym6738]

@@cxg7381 Just love hearing how nice these folks were - just makes me feel good.

[@dlighted8861]

He played a great part in the Bunch. He was also good in Lone Wolf Mcquaid. Bo Hopkins was fantastic in the Bunch and The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing. 😊

[@imilliemedina666]

I've got an original first run poster of A Boy and his Dog. LQ was multi talented.

[@itsgleneaton4883]

They say that a movie is really made in the cutting room. This man edited my favorite film Rocky and I’ve never heard about it. No wonder the first one was by far the best of the Rockys.

[@MsBenlane]

i became a fan of peckinpah from the tv show the westerner so went to his movies and remember seeing the wild bunch and being knocked out wow. had seen no reviews didn't know what to expect. staggered out knowing i had seen one of the great ones.

[@freelander4058]

Bo Hopkins was my husband’s cousin. When Bo was a teenager He was a member of a motorcycle gang Called the 8 ball. And it is as a rough bad bunch In judson off of Whitehorse rd In Greenville SC That was his real name he used. And As sad as it was A lot of the Hopkins ended In Tragedies But Bo Left and returned to visit his mom. But never really wanted to connect with his past. But motorcycles never left him

[@janisdais2832]

I love Westerns but am not familiar with Bo. I always enjoy seeing LQ on Gunsmoke..Cheyenne..and man other Westerns !! ❣