Robert Tessier

Robert W. Tessier (June 2, 1934 – October 11, 1990) was an American actor and stuntman who was best known for playing heavy, menacing characters on film and television.

Early life
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts of Algonquian 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-looking appearance, Tessier went on to play a series of villainous roles on both TV and in film. He later formed a stunt troupe called Stunts Unlimited with director Hal Needham.

Although Tessier starred in many films and TV roles over his career, probably two of his best remembered film roles were as the menacing, karate-wielding convict "Shokner" in the 1974 comedy-drama The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds (whom he counted as one of his friends) and as Kevin in The Deep. He also played a bare knuckle fighter in the Charles Bronson film Hard Times.

In his spare time, Tessier was an accomplished cabinet maker often making pieces for his co-stars.

Death
Tessier died of cancer in 1990. He was survived by his wife Diana Ivarson, and their son Ben Ivarson. Also survived by 5 children from a previous marriage. Susan Tessier (deceased), Joseph Tessier, Diane Tessier, Robert Tessier and Jean Marie Tessier.

Filmography

 * The Born Losers (1967) (as Robert W. Tessier)
 * The Glory Stompers (1968)
 * Run, Angel, Run! (1969) (not credited)
 * Five the Hard Way (1969)
 * The Babysitter (1969)
 * Cry Blood, Apache (1970)
 * Outlaw Riders (1971)
 * The Jesus Trip (1971)
 * The Velvet Vampire (1971) (as Bob Tessier)
 * Gentle Savage (1973)
 * The Longest Yard (1974)
 * How Come Nobody's on Our Side? (1975)
 * Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975)
 * Hard Times (1975)
 * Breakheart Pass (1975)
 * The Deep (1977)
 * Another Man, Another Chance (1977)
 * Hooper (1978)
 * Starcrash (1979)
 * The Villain (1979)
 * Steel (1979)
 * The Cannonball Run (1981)
 * The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
 * Double Exposure (1983)
 * The Fix (1984)
 * Avenging Angel (1985)
 * The Lost Empire (1985)
 * No Safe Haven (1987)
 * Beverly Hills Brats (1989)
 * Future Force (1989)
 * Nightwish (1989)
 * One Man Force (1989)
 * Fertilize the Blaspheming Bombshell (1990)
 * Fists of Steel (1991)

Television

 * Kung Fu (1974)
 * Little House on the Prairie (Survival, 1975) (as: Jack Lame Horse)
 * Last of the Mohicans (1977)
 * Centennial (1978) 1 chapter in miniseries
 * Desperate Women (1978) (uncredited)
 * Starsky and Hutch 2-part episode in 1979
 * The Billion Dollar Threat (1979)
 * Buck Rogers in the 25th Century 2 episodes both in 1979
 * The Dukes of Hazzard (1980)
 * ''The Incredible Hulk (1980)
 * Vega$ (1980)
 * Fantasy Island (1981)
 * The Fall Guy 4 episodes in 1981, 1982, 1984 & 1986
 * CHiPs (1982)
 * The A-Team 2 episodes in 1983 & 1985
 * Manimal (1983) (as Robert W. Tessier)
 * The Rousters (1983)
 * Magnum, P.I. (1984)
 * Spenser: For Hire (1985)
 * Amazing Stories (1986)
 * Sledge Hammer! (1987)
 * B.L. Stryker (1989)