Oscar-Nominated ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ Actor Dead at 80
Actor Michael J. Pollard, best known for roles in Bonnie and Clyde, “Star Trek,” and House of 1000 Corpses, has died at the age of 80.
Word of his passing spread after it was announced by his House of 1000 Corpses director Rob Zombie, who posted the news on Facebook Friday morning. A cause of death has not been released.
Pollard appeared in numerous classic TV shows and films, and his characters always left an impression. In a 1966 episode of “Star Trek” titled “Miri,” Pollard played Jahn, the leader of a group of orphans on a distant planet. That same year, he also appeared on the classic show “Lost in Space.”
His other TV credits included “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” and “Superboy,” where he played the villain Mr. Mxyzptlk.
On the big screen, his role as snitch C.W. Moss in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Years later, his co-star Warren Beatty would cast him in his 1990 film Dick Tracy.
His other film credits include “Dirty Little Billy,” “Melvin and Howard,” “Roxanne” and “Tango & Cash.”
“We have lost another member of our ‘House of 1000 Corpses’ family,” Rob Zombie said in his Facebook post. “I woke up to the news that Michael J. Pollard had died. I have always loved his work and his truly unique on screen presence. He was one of the first actors I knew I had to work with as soon as I got my first film off the ground. He will be missed.”
Here is Rob Zombie’s Facebook post.
Our condolences to Mr. Pollard’s family and friends.
