Sam Bottoms was an American actor and producer who rose to fame with his roles in the 1970s classics Apocalypse Now and The Last Picture Show. He was part of a family of four acting brothers, along with Timothy, Joseph and Ben Bottoms. He died of brain cancer at the age of 53 in 2008. In this article, we will explore his life, career and the cause of his death.
Early Life and Career
Sam Bottoms was born on October 17, 1955 in Santa Barbara, California. He was the third son of James “Bud” Bottoms, a sculptor and art teacher, and Betty Chapman. He began acting in local theater at the age of 10.
He made his film debut in 1971, when he was 15 years old, in The Last Picture Show. He played Billy, a mute and mentally handicapped boy who is forced by his friends to lose his virginity to a prostitute. He was visiting his older brother Timothy, who was the lead actor in the film, when the director Peter Bogdanovich decided to cast him in the role.
Five years later, he appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales, playing Jamie, a young Confederate soldier who joins Eastwood’s character in his quest for revenge.
Apocalypse Now and Beyond
Sam Bottoms may be best remembered for his role as Lance B. Johnson, a pro surfer-turned-soldier who is stationed on a river boat in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. The 1979 film is considered one of the greatest war movies of all time, depicting the horrors and madness of the Vietnam War.
Bottoms’ character is one of the crew members who accompany Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) on his mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a renegade officer who has gone rogue in the jungle. Along the way, they encounter various dangers and surreal situations, such as a surfing-mad lieutenant colonel (Robert Duvall), a tiger attack, a USO show featuring Playboy bunnies, and a drug-induced trip.
Bottoms said that he was influenced by his own experience with drugs while filming the movie. He also contracted hookworm during the chaotic production in the Philippines, which damaged his liver.
After Apocalypse Now, Bottoms continued to work in film and television. He starred in Coppola’s 1987 Vietnam film Gardens of Stone, playing a lieutenant who is killed by a landmine. He also appeared in films such as Seabiscuit, Shopgirl, SherryBaby and Finishing the Game. His last film role was in 2007.
Death and Legacy
Sam Bottoms died of glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumor, on December 16, 2008 at his home in Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife Laura Bickford, whom he married in 2002, his two children from a previous marriage to Susan Arnold, his parents and his three brothers.
According to IMDb, he had 52 acting credits and one producing credit in his career. He was also a musician and played guitar and harmonica.
Sam Bottoms was praised for his natural and nuanced performances, especially in Apocalypse Now. Coppola said that he was “a handsome, tall young man and very sweet-natured” who was “a good actor”. His brother Timothy said that he was “a wonderful person” who “loved life”.
Sam Bottoms left behind a legacy of memorable roles that showcased his talent and versatility as an actor. He will always be remembered as the surfer who rode the waves amid bombs and bullets in Apocalypse Now.