Tonight we learned of the passing of veteran actor Bernie Casey, a multi-talented man whose talents extended past the silver screen.
Casey was born in West Virginia but raised in Columbus, Ohio. He was a standout athlete who earned a football scholarship to Bowling Green, where he led the Falcons to the “small college” championship in 1959 and earned All-American honors. He also competed in the high hurdles and ran in the 190 U.S. Olympic trials.
His gridiron success caught the attention of the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him with the ninth overall pick in 1961, and he played for the team for six years as a receiver. Casey then went on to play for the Rams for two years before retiring before the start of the 1969 season. As an eight year pro, he amassed 5,444 yards and 40 TDs on 359 catches but decided to exchange his cleats for the stage.
Casey appeared in films such as Brian’s Song, Boxcar Bertha and the James Bond flick, Never Say Never Again. He also starred in a string of Blaxploitation films such as Cleopatra Jones, Black Chariot, Black Gunn and Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde but made his film debut in Guns of the Magnificent Seven alongside Jim Brown, who, almost two decades later, he reconnected with again in the 1988 urban film classic I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, which parodied the Blaxploitation genre and films such as Super Fly.
I’m Gonna Git You Sucka Trailer 1988
I’m Gonna Git You Sucka Trailer 1988 Director: Keenan Ivory Wayans Starring: Antonio Fargas, Bernie Casey, Isaac Hayes, Jim Brown, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Steve James Official Content From MGM Home Entertainment A former soldier leads street vigilantes against organized crime in this parody of black exploitation films of the 1970s.
Bernie Casey was recognized for many films, especially 80s classic like the aforementioned “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” and another classic, Revenge of the Nerds, in which he played the President of the Black fraternity, Lambda Lambda Lambda.
Revenge of the Nerds – “Backup Arrives” – (HD) – Scenes from the 80s (1984)
Daily uploads with thousands of clips on the way. SUBSCRIBE for a taste of the past! CLIP SUMMARY: U.N. Jefferson and the Lambdas show up to back up their fraternity brothers, the nerds. ENTIRE PLAYLIST: http://bit.ly/1Ek0Lpt ABOUT THE FILM: Best friends and nerds Lewis Skolnick and Gilbert Lowe enroll in Adams College to study computer science.
Casey was also an accomplished poet and painter who works were both published and placed on display around the world.
Rest In Power Mr. Casey.
