Character actor, L Q Jones died recently. He was part of Sam Peckinpah’s stable appearing in The Wild Bunch, Ride The High Country, Major Dundee and others. Also a television regular he featured in, Cheyenne, Wagon Train, Laramie, The Virginian and a host of others. In fact he appeared in the first 3 Cheyenne episodes as his sidekick but then disappeared without a reason.
He was born Justus Ellis McQueen and he owed his screen success to Fess Parker. Both shared a room in a Texan university and became friends. Fess moved to Hollywood and quickly found roles. He was offered a part based on a novel, Battle Cry, by Leon Uris, and sent a copy to his friend Justus. He told him there was a part he could play, L Q Jones. Justus came along, using a map that Fess had drawn on a scrap of paper.
He got the part and, as was so common, was asked to change his name. He was quite taken with his character’s name and stuck with it for the rest of his life.
Battle Cry. On the right, L Q Jones portrays L Q Jones. Also in the photo, Aldo Ray and Tab Hunter.
0 Comments