L.Q. Jones, who will be remembered for his contributions in numerous Western films, has passed away at the age of 94. His grandson Erte deGarces informed Variety that L.Q.’s family was gathered around him in Hollywood Hills at the time of his death. Over five decades, Jones worked in a variety of filma and genres.
Justus Ellis McQueen, born in 1927 in Beaumont, Texas, was named after his father, a railway worker. When Jones was a toddler, his mother died in a terrible car accident. As he grew up, he moved from town to town with various relatives.
He grew up around tough rodeo people—his uncle was into roping—so westerns were simple and enjoyable. When he was 18, Jones joined the Navy and enrolled at university. He met Fess Parker there, who would later become his roommate and collaborator in Hollywood. This inspired Jones to believe that acting might be a viable profession, which
“Fess encouraged me to come out and drew me a map on the back of a laundry shirt stuffing showing how to get to the studio.”
L.Q. Jones was born in 1927 in Beaumont, Texas, to a railway worker and his wife. Tragically, his mother died in a car accident when he was just a toddler. Growing up, he moved around constantly with various relatives.
Jones discovered his love of acting in college, after meeting Fess Parker , who would later become his roommate and collaborator in Hollywood. With Parker’s encouragement, Jones moved to Hollywood to pursue acting.
Over the course of his five-decade career, Jones appeared in a variety of films and genres. He is perhaps best known for his roles in Westerns, such as “The Shootist” and “The Wild Bunch.” Jones also had a successful television career, appearing on shows like “Gunsmoke” and “Rawhide.”
L.Q. Jones was a prolific actor who left a lasting mark on the film and television industry. He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and fans.
In the early days of television, one show reigned supreme: Gunsmoke. The Western drama ran for 20 seasons and remains one of the longest-running primetime scripted shows in history.
Set in Dodge City, Kansas, Gunsmoke followed the adventures of Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) and his team of lawmen as they kept the peace in a Wild West town. The show was known for its gritty realism, and it wasn’t afraid to tackle tough topics like racism and sexism.
L.Q. Jones appeared on Gunsmoke several times, playing a variety of roles. He brought his trademark charisma to every performance, and he quickly became a fan-favorite.
Jones continued to work in television throughout the rest of his career. He appeared on shows like Rawhide, The Twilight Zone, and The A-Team. In the ’80s and ’90s, he also had a recurring role on the soap opera Santa Barbara.
Although he was primarily known for his work on television, Jones also appeared in several films. He had supporting roles in The Shootist, The Wild Bunch, and Patton. He also appeared in the cult classic Repo Man.
Jones was a versatile actor who could play both dramatic and comedic roles. He was always able to bring something special to every project he worked on.
