Robert Winley was an American actor who played memorable roles in several movies and TV shows, most notably as the cigar-smoking biker who confronts Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. He was born on December 9, 1952 in Boston, Massachusetts, and died on October 21, 2001 in Costa Mesa, California. But what was the cause of his death and how did he live his life?
A Career in Acting
Robert Winley started his acting career in the early 1980s, appearing in small roles in movies such as Pale Rider, Near Dark, and L.A. Takedown. He often played tough bad guys, such as bikers, convicts, and deputies. He also appeared in several TV shows, such as Tales from the Crypt, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., and Walker, Texas Ranger.
His most famous role was Robert Pantelli, the cigar-smoking biker in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, released in 1991. In the iconic scene, Schwarzenegger’s character, a cyborg sent from the future, walks into a bar and asks Winley for his clothes, boots, and motorcycle. Winley replies with his famous line: “You forgot to say please”. He then tries to stab Schwarzenegger, who grabs his arm and breaks it, before taking his clothes and bike.
Winley’s role was brief but memorable, and he became a cult figure among Terminator fans. He also appeared as a biker in another movie that year, Stone Cold, starring Brian Bosworth. He continued to act in movies and TV shows until his last role in Joy Ride, released in 2001.
A Tragic End
Robert Winley died on October 21, 2001, at the age of 48, in Costa Mesa, California. According to IMDb, the cause of his death was brain cancer. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Winley’s death was a shock to his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented and friendly actor. He was also a motorcycle enthusiast and a member of the Hell’s Angels, a notorious biker gang. He was buried at the Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, California.
Robert Winley left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a loyal fan base. He will always be remembered as the cigar-smoking biker who challenged the Terminator.
