Late last night, sources started reporting that actor Sonny Landham passed away on Thursday, August 17th 2017, at a hospital in Lexington, Kentucky from congestive heart failure. He is most known for co-starring as Billy alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and Jesse Ventura in 1987’s action-thriller creature-feature Predator. Predator opened at #1 and grossed $60,000,000 at the American box office. Not only did it become the #12 best selling film of that year, but it still remains in the top 20 creature-features based on sales to this day.
Few people know that Mr. Landham got his start in the entertainment industry as a porn star in the 1970’s. However, after starring in The Warriors in 1979, he was recognized for other talents and quickly earned roles in action-thrillers including Gloria (1980), 48 Hours (1982), Fleshburn (1984), Action Jackson (1988), Lockup (1989), Maximum Force (1992), Best of the Best (1993) and Savage Land (1994). His other horror and science fiction credits can be found in How to Alter Your Ego (1974), Blood Bath (1976), Poltergeist (1982) and 2090 (1996).
Sonny directed and produced one picture, Billy Lone Bear, in 1996 before retiring from acting. Though he did return with small roles in horror films Disintegration (2007) and Mental Scars (2009). He also made several attempts at joining the California government in the 2010’s.
All of us here at HorrorSociety.com send our condolences to his family, friends and fans. May the otherworldly beings be meet in the afterlife be much more accommodating than the ones he met in the movies!
R.I.P. Sonny Landham
Feb 11th 1941 – Aug 17th 2017
