Sonny West (actor)
| Sonny West | |
|---|---|
Sonny West at the White House, December 1970
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| Born |
Delbert Bryant West Jr. July 5, 1938 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | May 24, 2017 (aged 78) Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Oropharyngeal and lung cancer |
| Resting place | Crestwood Memory Gardens, Gallatin, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation | Bodyguard, actor |
| Years active | 1962–2007 |
| Known for | The bodyguard of Elvis Presley |
| Spouse(s) | Judy Jordan (m. 1970) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Red West (Cousin) |
Delbert Bryant West Jr. (July 5, 1938 – May 24, 2017), known as Sonny West, was a friend and bodyguard of the late singer Elvis Presley along with his cousin Red West for sixteen years, as part of the Elvis entourage at the Elvis Memphis home Graceland, which became known as 'The Memphis Mafia'.
His parents came from the Pontotoc area of Mississippi, not far from Tupelo, where Elvis Presley came from. West was one of two sons and five daughters. Both West and Elvis grew up in different lower income projects in Memphis, and though near, never actually met in childhood. Before and after Elvis' passing, West wrote several books, and made public appearances at Elvis related conventions and gatherings, speaking out on his time working for Presley and their relationship.
West's cousin Red West worked for Elvis as a friend, driver and bodyguard from 1955 onwards. West met Elvis in 1958 at a roller skating rink. After discharge from the U.S. Air Force as an Airman Third Class, West, working as a washer and dryer repairman, went to work for Elvis as a bodyguard from 1960 to 1976. In December 1970, West married his wife Judy Jordan, an actress and an original 'Away We Go' girl from The Jackie Gleason Show, with Elvis as best man, with Priscilla Presley, then wife of Elvis, serving as Matron of Honor. In July 1976, Presley bodyguards Sonny West, Red West, Robert West and David Hebler were fired by Elvis' father Vernon Presley, in what was described as a cost-cutting measure, but was rumored to have been caused by concern over Presley's increased intake and dependence on various prescription drugs, and lawsuits against Presley due to security techniques which caused injury to fans.
On December 21, 1970, Presley, West, and Elvis insider Jerry Schilling were photographed in the White House with Richard Nixon by Ollie Atkins.
In July 1977, the bodyguards, led by West, called a press conference coinciding with the release of their tell all book with tabloid writer Steve Dunleavy entitled Elvis: What Happened? which claimed to be more of a friendly reminder to change his drug dependent behavior, rather than a money making exercise. The book sold over three million copies. Presley died only two weeks after the publication of the memoir, contributing to public interest, and sales of the book. Film clips from the original press conference promoting the book still exist.
West appeared in several Elvis movies as an extra. During the time West spent in Hollywood with Elvis, West stuck close to the directors and various other members of the movie crews, and learned about the production end of movie making. In the 1960s, West had a few acting roles under his belt, along with stunt work. West appeared in the following productions, sometimes uncredited:
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