Robert Tessier


Robert W. Tessier was an American actor and stuntman who was best known for playing heavy, menacing characters in films and on television.

Early life

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, of Abenaki and French descent, Tessier served as a paratrooper in the Korean War earning both a Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Performing career

Tessier was an accomplished motorcycle rider doing stunts in the circus. These skills helped him secure his first film role in The Born Losers directed by Tom Laughlin.
With his shaven head, size and threatening appearance, Tessier went on to play a series of villainous roles on both TV and in film.
Tessier starred as the menacing convict "Connie Shokner" in the 1974 comedy-drama The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds and as Kevin in The Deep. He also played alongside Charles Bronson, as a bare knuckle fighter in the film Hard Times and as a main villain in Breakheart Pass.
In his spare time, Tessier was an accomplished cabinet maker often making pieces for his co-stars.

Death

Tessier died of cancer October 11, 1990, aged 56. He was survived by his six children, mother and two sisters.

Filmography

The Born Losers – Cueball The Glory Stompers – MagooThe Sidehackers – Jake Run, Angel, Run! – Gang Leader Five the Hard Way – Jake The Babysitter – Laurence MackeyCry Blood, Apache – Two Card CharlieThe Hard Ride The Jesus Trip – DuncanPrivate Duty Nurses – Super bouncerOutlaw Riders – Beans The Velvet Vampire – Biker Gentle Savage – GreywolfThe Longest Yard – Connie ShoknerLittle House on the Prairie (Survival) - Chief Jack Lame HorseHow Come Nobody's on Our Side? – Bike Rider Doc Savage: [The Man of Bronze] – DutchmanHard Times – Jim HenryBreakheart Pass – Levi CalhounThe Deep – KevinAnother Man, Another Chance – BlacksmithHooper – AmtracStarcrash – Chief ThorThe Villain – Mashing FingerSteel – CherokeeThe Cannonball Run – Biker The Sword and the Sorcerer – VerdugoDouble Exposure – BartenderThe Lost Empire – KoroAvenging Angel – Tattoo ArtistThe Fix – SpookNo Safe Haven – RandyOne Man Force – WilsonBeverly Hills Brats – SlickFuture Force – BeckerNightwish – StanleyFertilize the Blaspheming Bombshell – Devil-masterFists of Steel – Saylor

Television

Kung Fu – Aztec WarriorLittle House on the Prairie – Chief Jack Lame Horse The [Last of the Mohicans (1977 film)|The Last of the Mohicans] – MaguaCentennial – Rude WaterDesperate Women – Outlaw Hart to Hart "Max in love" episode – Mover #1 Starsky & Hutch – SoldierThe Billion Dollar Threat – BenjaminBuck Rogers in the 25th Century – Marcos MarcilkaThe Dukes of Hazzard – Mitch HendersonThe Incredible Hulk – JohnnyVega$ – SawyerFantasy Island – FlyntThe Fall Guy – Thug / Harvey / Garvey / PrisonerCHiPs – ZornThe A-Team – Mute / ScullyManimal – Sailor Poker Player The Rousters – BenderMagnum, P.I. – MurdererSpenser: For Hire – ConanAmazing Stories – WoodsmanSledge Hammer! – Stoolie