William Hootkins

[Silver Nemesis]

It's about time Eckhardt got his own thread. Hootkins is one of those unsung character actors who showed up in lots of classic movies and TV shows but never really achieved stardom. Looking over his filmography, I was especially surprised to see just how many comic book adaptations he appeared in. Here are a few of his notable appearances in cult movies and TV shows.

As Porkins (aka 'Red Six') in Star Wars (1977). His first appearance in a George Lucas production.

As Beef in Hanover Street (1979).

As Munson, Professor Zarkov's cowardly assistant, in Flash Gordon (1980). The first of several comic book adaptations he acted in.

As Major Eaton in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). The second George Lucas production he worked on.

As Harry Chester in the classic Tales of the Unexpected episode 'The Boy Who Talked with Animals' (1981).

As Lou Delmart in the Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense episode 'Black Carrion' (1984).

As Freddie Frobisher, the Flatulent Hermit of Lindisfarne, in the Blackadder II episode 'Beer' (1986).

As Chuck in Biggles (1986).

As a reporter in Gene Wilder's Haunted Honeymoon (1986).

As Harry Howler in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). His second comic book adaptation, and his first based on a DC Comics property.

As Lt. Eckhardt in Batman (1989). His third comic book movie and his second adapted from a DC Comics title.

As the perverted Lincoln Wineberg Jr. in Hardware (1990), by far his sleaziest and most loathsome role. Also his fourth movie to be adapted from a comic book; in this case a short story that appeared in 2000 AD.

As Murphy in Robert Redford's Oscar-winning film A River Runs Through It (1992).

His final appearance in a George Lucas production, as Diaghilev in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992).

A recurring role as Colonel Cobb in The Tomorrow People (1994).

As John Carpenter in Death Machine (1994).

As the voice of Falkor, the Luck Dragon, in The Neverending Story Part III: Return to Fantasia (1994).

As the voice of Crimson Dynamo in the Iron Man episode 'Not Far From the Tree' (1995).

As Kiril in The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996).

And as Maximillian Roivas in the GameCube survival horror classic Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002).

Sadly Hootkins passed away in 2005 at just 57 years of age. But he left behind an impressively diverse body of work that any actor could be proud of. The three roles I best remember him for are Porkins in Star Wars, Eckhardt in Batman and Max Roivas in Eternal Darkness. What about everyone else? Are there any other memorable roles I forgot to mention? Which are your favourites?

[johnnygobbs]

Great thread Silver Nemesis.

Since this site is all about celebrating the Batman films, primarily the Burton ones, I think all the supporting characters in 'Batman' and 'Batman Returns' deserve their own thread.  Has Mayor Borg, Alexander Knox, Carl Grissom and Mayor Jenkins already got one?  What about Josh & Jen and the various members of the Red Triangle Circus Gang?

[Edd Grayson]

"I say, you're full of ****, Knox. You can quote me on that. "

"I answer to Grissom, not to psychos."

"Alright, get a good look. Shoot to kill, you know what I mean?"

My favorite Eckhardt bits.

[johnnygobbs]

"I say, you're full of ****, Knox. You can quote me on that. "

"I answer to Grissom, not to psychos."

"Alright, get a good look. Shoot to kill, you know what I mean?"

My favorite Eckhardt bits.

I love the look one of the cops gives Eckhart when he tells them to "shoot to kill".  He seems to be thinking, 'this guy is frigging nuts!'

[Edd Grayson]

Eckhardt should've thought more about the future... 

[johnnygobbs]

Eckhardt should've thought more about the future... 

True, but of all the supporting characters who died I can't say he was the one I felt the worst for.

[Edd Grayson]

At least Jack got to say that line again.

[johnnygobbs]

At least Jack got to say that line again.

But Jack didn't have much of a future.  He was an A1 nutjob.

[Catwoman]

i liked det. eckhart. i mean i hated him, but i liked the character. like, if i lived in gotham, i would have wanted to kick him in the balls or something, but as a viewer, i liked watching him.

am i making any sense? lol. but yea his scene with knox and then with jack was great.

i remember being SHOCKED to find out that the same guy who played eckhart was the same one who played the aptly named porkins in a new hope . that was when i found out he passed away, so i was sad too.

[Catwoman]

Great thread Silver Nemesis.

Since this site is all about celebrating the Batman films, primarily the Burton ones, I think all the supporting characters in 'Batman' and 'Batman Returns' deserve their own thread.  Has Mayor Borg, Alexander Knox, Carl Grissom and Mayor Jenkins already got one?  What about Josh & Jen and the various members of the Red Triangle Circus Gang?

i think i did one about grissom but idk about the rest.

i wish one of you boys that is good about getting the behind the scenes info about characters and the actors that played them would do one about all the girls in the red triangle circus gang. i thought it was just the poodle lady, then i saw a scan from a magazine posted on here and there's like 3!