Cliff Emmich: 'Halloween II' and 'Payday' star dies at 85 after long battle with lung cancer
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Cliff Emmich, who was known for his impeccable work in the Clint Eastwood movie ‘Thunderbolt’ and in the horror sequel ‘Halloween II’, died at the age of 85. The news of his death was confirmed by his representative. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the character actor died Monday, November 28, at his Valley Village home in Los Angeles following a long battle with lung cancer.
Born on December 13, 1936, Emmich began his professional journey by performing on stage as he was a student at Pasadena Playhouse. He started performing at a very young age and became a prominent name in the circuit. Even before starting his career in films and TV, he had already toured more than 153 cities and 23 states with the American Reparatory Players. However, it was time for Emmich to join the big league and become a prominent name in Hollywood as well.
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The actor began his career in feature films by garnering an uncredited role in the 1969 movie ‘Gaily, Gaily’. On the other hand, he made cameos or guest appearances in several TV shows. However, 1973 turned out to be a life-changing year for Emmich as he garnered his first major acting role in the movie with the movie ‘Payday’. The actor played the role of a taxi driver named Chicago in the movie, who used to drive a Cadillac through different states with a honky-tonk singer Maury Dann in the back seat. Emmich received a lot of praise for his acting and the role helped him in getting future roles.
Emmich continued to give amazing performances throughout and once again, captivated the minds of the audience in the 1974 Clint Eastwood movie ‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’. The actor portrayed the Western Union security guard with a porn fetish who is attracted to the long-legged Jeff Bridges. Meanwhile, he played another security guard in the movie Halloween II’ in 1981 and became a victim of Michael Myers in one of the most gruesome scenes in the ‘Halloween’ franchise.
The actor showed his versatility in the fifth season of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ in which he plays an overweight and embarrassed man whose daughter is ashamed of him in one of the episodes.
Emmich’s other acting credits included ‘The Incredible Hulk’, ‘Strike Force’, ‘CHiPs’, ‘Trapper John’, ‘MD’, ‘Knight Rider’, ‘Night Court’, and ‘Simon & Simon’. Meanwhile, she also made appearances in TV shows like ‘Baywatch’, ‘Murder’, ‘She Wrote’, ‘Coach’, ‘Nash Bridges’, and ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’.
Emmich is survived by nephews, Chuck, Mark, and James, and niece, Shirley.