Keith Loneker
Keith Joseph Loneker (June 21, 1971 – June 22, 2017) was an American actor and American football player. For much of his short career, his large football-lineman build garnered him roles largely as thugs or football players. His first movie was director Steven Soderbergh's Out of Sight (1998)[1] and later the Neil LaBute thriller, Lakeview Terrace (2008).
Keith Loneker | |
---|---|
Loneker in 2012 | |
Born | Keith Joseph Loneker June 21, 1971 |
Died | June 22, 2017 46) Lawrence, Kansas, US | (aged
Years active | 1998-2017 |
Personal life
Growing up in Roselle Park, New Jersey, Loneker faced some personal obstacles that he worked hard to overcome for his entire life. In high school, while playing football, he endured a hip injury, for which doctors said he would never play any sports again. Loneker ignored the doctor and decided to work out intensely to rehabilitate himself. After two years being off, he stepped onto a football field once again. Loneker, although just happy to play again with his friends, ended up with a scholarship to the University of Kansas.
NFL career
No. 64 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Guard | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Roselle Park, New Jersey | June 21, 1971||||||
Died: | June 22, 2017 46) Lawrence, Kansas | (aged||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 325 lb (147 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
College: | Kansas | ||||||
Undrafted: | 1993 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
| |||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||
|
Although Loneker was passed over in the NFL draft after graduation, he insisted on "walking on" with the Los Angeles Rams. Loneker not only made the team but went on to start by the end of his first season. Loneker blocked for then rookie running back, Jerome Bettis.
Acting career
While playing in the NFL, a former teammate who was working as an agent called Loneker and told him he had a part for which he thought he'd be perfect. Loneker had never acted before, but made a tape for the audition and the producers hired him from his tape alone. He was surprised when he landed the role of "White Boy Bob" in Out of Sight. Loneker went on to roles in Rock Star, Superbad, Leatherheads, and Lakeview Terrace.[2][3] When Loneker wasn’t auditioning for movie roles, he was a substitute teacher at Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas.
Personal life and death
Loneker died of cancer on June 22, 2017.[4] He had a daughter and a son, Keith Loneker, Jr., who currently plays football at the University of Kansas.[5]
Filmography
*Also starred in “Destination: Planet Negro” (2013). Role: Monster Truck Rally.
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Out of Sight | White Boy Bob | |
2001 | Rock Star | Roadie #1 | |
2002 | Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie | Big Red | TV |
2007 | Superbad | Wild Bill Cherry | |
2008 | Leatherheads | Big Gus Schiller | |
Lakeview Terrace | Clarence Darlington | ||
2012 | Rhino | Donny "Rhino" Reinhardt | |
2013 | A True Story | Skinny Pete | |
2014 | Jersey Boys | Knuckles | |
2015 | Pass The Light | Coach Peters | |
Bad Ass 3 | Pierre | ||
2016 | Outlaws and Angels | Little Joe | |
What We've Become | Larry | ||
2017 | The Vault | Cyrus | Posthumous release |
References
- Willis, John; Monush, Barry (2000). Screen World 1999. Applause Theatre & Cinema Book Publishers. p. 84. ISBN 9781557834102. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- Niccum, Jon (April 3, 2008). "Field position: Former KU lineman joins Clooney's cinematic team in Hollywood". The Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
- Niccum, Jon (September 18, 2008). "Outside the law: KU alum filmmaker and Lawrence actor collaborate on 'Lakeview Terrace'". The Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
- "Former KU football player, actor Keith Loneker Sr. dies". KansasCity.com.
- "Keith Lonecker Jr. Bio". KUAthletics.com.