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Robert W. Tessier (June 2, 1934 ? October 11, 1990) was an American actor and stuntman who was best known for playing heavy, menacing characters in films and on television.

Early life [ edit ]

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts , of Abenaki and French descent, Tessier served as a paratrooper in the Korean War earning both a Silver Star and Purple Heart . ^{[1] [2]}

Performing career [ edit ]

Tessier was an accomplished motorcycle rider doing stunts in the circus. These skills helped him secure his first film role in The Born Losers directed by Tom Laughlin .

With his shaven head, size and threatening appearance, Tessier went on to play a series of villainous roles on both TV and in film.

Tessier starred as the menacing convict "Connie Shokner" in the 1974 comedy-drama The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds (whom he counted as one of his friends) and as Kevin in The Deep . He also played alongside Charles Bronson , as a bare knuckle fighter in the film Hard Times and as a main villain in Breakheart Pass .

In his spare time, Tessier was an accomplished cabinet maker often making pieces for his co-stars.

Death [ edit ]

Tessier died of cancer October 11, 1990, aged 56. He was survived by his six children, mother and two sisters. ^[3]

Filmography [ edit ]

Television [ edit ]

• Kung Fu (1974) ? Aztec Warrior
• Little House on the Prairie (Survival, 1975) ? Chief Jack Lame Horse (as Jack Lame Horse)
• The Last of the Mohicans (1977) ? Magua
• Centennial (1978?1979) ? Rude Water
• Desperate Women (1978) ? Outlaw (uncredited)
• Hart to Hart (1979) "Max in love" episode ? Mover #1
• Starsky & Hutch (2-part episode in 1979) ? Soldier
• The Billion Dollar Threat (1979) ? Benjamin
• Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (2 episodes both in 1979) ? Marcos Marcilka
• The Dukes of Hazzard (1980) ? Mitch Henderson
• The Incredible Hulk (1980) ? Johnny
• Vega$ (1980) ? Sawyer
• Fantasy Island (1981) ? Flynt
• The Fall Guy (1981?1986) ? Thug / Harvey / Garvey / Prisoner
• CHiPs (1982) ? Zorn
• The A-Team (1983?1985) ? Mute / Scully
• Manimal (1983) ? Sailor Poker Player (as Robert W. Tessier)
• The Rousters (1983) ? Bender
• Magnum, P.I. (1984) ? Murderer
• Spenser: For Hire (1985) ? Conan
• Amazing Stories (1986) ? Woodsman
• Sledge Hammer! (1987) ? Stoolie
• B.L. Stryker (1989)

References [ edit ]

External links [ edit ]

• Robert Tessier at IMDb
• Robert Tessier at the TCM Movie Database
• "Robert Tessier" . Find a Grave . Retrieved February 5, 2008 .
• First of a series of commercials Tessier did for Midas Muffler in the 1980s