Actor. He was a popular performer, whose distinctive style brought him leading and supporting roles in over 120 films and TV shows. His first job was on television appearing on "Beat the Clock" in 1950. He soon was a regular on TV programs such as "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "The Rifleman," "Rawhide," "The Virginian," "East of Eden," and many more. For films, his credits include "The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond" (1960), "Ride the High Country" (1962), "Major Dundee" (1965), "The Shooting" (1966), "In the Heat of the Night" (1967), "The Wild Bunch" (1969), "There Was a Crooked Man" (1970), "Two-Lane Blacktop" (1971), "The Hired Hand" (1971), "Badlands" (1973), "Dillinger" (1973), "The Thief Who Came to Dinner" (1973), "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" (1974), "Race with the Devil" (1975), "Sleeping Dogs" (1977), "The Brink's Job" (1978), "1941" (1979), "Stripes" (1981), "The Border" (1982), "Tough Enough" (1983) and "Blue Thunder" (1983). Oates frequently worked with directors Sam Peckinpah and Monte Hellman.
Actor. He was a popular performer, whose distinctive style brought him leading and supporting roles in over 120 films and TV shows. His first job was on television appearing on "Beat the Clock" in 1950. He soon was a regular on TV programs such as "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "The Rifleman," "Rawhide," "The Virginian," "East of Eden," and many more. For films, his credits include "The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond" (1960), "Ride the High Country" (1962), "Major Dundee" (1965), "The Shooting" (1966), "In the Heat of the Night" (1967), "The Wild Bunch" (1969), "There Was a Crooked Man" (1970), "Two-Lane Blacktop" (1971), "The Hired Hand" (1971), "Badlands" (1973), "Dillinger" (1973), "The Thief Who Came to Dinner" (1973), "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" (1974), "Race with the Devil" (1975), "Sleeping Dogs" (1977), "The Brink's Job" (1978), "1941" (1979), "Stripes" (1981), "The Border" (1982), "Tough Enough" (1983) and "Blue Thunder" (1983). Oates frequently worked with directors Sam Peckinpah and Monte Hellman.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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