Earl Hindman | |
---|---|
Born |
Earl John Hindman October 3, 1942 Bisbee, Arizona, U.S. |
Died | December 29, 2003 Stamford, Connecticut, U.S. |
(aged 61)
Cause of death | Lung cancer |
Occupation | Film and television actor |
Years active | 1967–2003 |
Spouse(s) | Molly McGreevey (1976-2003) (his death) |
Earl John Hindman (October 3, 1942 – December 29, 2003) was an American film and television actor, best known for his role as the kindly unseen neighbor Wilson W. Wilson Jr. on the television sitcom Home Improvement (1991–99).
Long before this role, however, he played villains in two 1974 thrillers, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three and The Parallax View. He also appeared in the films Who Killed Mary What's 'Er Name? (1971), Greased Lightning (1977), The Brink's Job (1978) and Taps (1981), and played the part of J.T. in the Lawrence Kasdan film Silverado (1985).
Hindman's most famous and enduring pre-Home Improvement role was as Bob Reid in Ryan's Hope. He played the role in 459 episodes during the years 1975–89. Ex-police officer Bob Reid was everybody's best friend who never got the girl and was the long-suffering brother of the soap's serial bride Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge. Hindman's wife (Molly McGreevey) was also on the soap 1977–81 as Polly Longworth, best friend to media tycoon Rae Woodard.
His voice has also been heard on the Disneyland Railroad since 2002.
Hindman was born in Bisbee, Arizona, the son of Eula and Burl Latney Hindman, who worked in the oil pipeline business. He studied acting at the University of Arizona.
On May 21, 1976, Hindman married Molly McGreevey, with whom he later acted on Ryan's Hope. McGreevey later became an Episcopal priest.