Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
December 9, 1942
Place of Birth:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Richard Marvin Butkus (December 9, 1942 - October 5, 2023) was an American former professional football player, sports commentator, and actor. He played football as a middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1973. He was invited to eight Pro Bowls, named a first-team All-Pro six times, and was twice recognized by his peers as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. He was renowned as a fierce tackler and for the relentless effort with which he played and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in pro football history.
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Memorial Stadium: True Illini Spirit | Self |
| 2007 | NFL Moment of Impact | |
| 2001 | Teddy Bears' Picnic | Dick Butkus |
| 1999 | Any Given Sunday | Opposing Coach - Game 3 |
| 1991 | The Last Boy Scout | Himself |
| 1991 | Necessary Roughness | Convict Football Player |
| 1990 | Gremlins 2: The New Batch | Dick Butkus |
| 1990 | Spontaneous Combustion | Lt. General |
| 1988 | Crash Course | Ed Konner |
| 1987 | The Stepford Children | Tom Wilcox |
| 1986 | Hamburger: The Motion Picture | Drootin |
| 1986 | Crunch Course | Self |
| 1986 | WrestleMania II | Referee |
| 1986 | WrestleMania 2 | Self |
| 1985 | Rodney Dangerfield: Exposed! | himself |
| 1984 | Johnny Dangerously | Arthur |
| 1983 | Smorgasbord | Anti-Smoking Enforcer |
| 1982 | Deadly Games | Joe Adams |
| 1980 | The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Brom Bones |
| 1978 | Superdome | Scott Hennerson |
| 1976 | Gus | Rob Cargil |
| 1976 | Mother, Jugs & Speed | Rodeo |
| 1975 | Cry, Onion! | Jeff |
| 1975 | A Matter of Wife... and Death | Heavy |
| 1971 | Brian's Song | Dick Butkus (uncredited) |
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | I Didn't Do It | Himself |
| 2005 | Deal or No Deal | Self - Supporter |
| 2001 | The Bernie Mac Show | Dick Butkus |
| 2001 | Inside Schwartz | Dick Butkus |
| 1997 | Chicago Sons | |
| 1996 | Early Edition | Dick Butkus |
| 1995 | Hang Time | Mike Katowinski |
| 1995 | Charlie Grace | Dick Butkus |
| 1994 | Burke's Law | Tony Ward |
| 1989 | Coach | Dick Butkus |
| 1987 | My Two Dads | Ed Klawicki |
| 1986 | Matlock | Vic Garrett / The Annihilator |
| 1986 | Blacke's Magic | Ruston |
| 1985 | Growing Pains | Robert |
| 1985 | MacGyver | Earl Dent |
| 1985 | Half Nelson | Beau |
| 1984 | Night Court | Stanley |
| 1984 | Kate & Allie | |
| 1984 | Blue Thunder | Richard Butowski |
| 1984 | Murder, She Wrote | Tank Mason |
| 1982 | Matt Houston | Crusher Kawalski |
| 1981 | Simon & Simon | |
| 1981 | The Greatest American Hero | Coach Andrews |
| 1980 | Magnum, P.I. | Clarence / Dumbo |
| 1978 | Vega$ | |
| 1978 | Taxi | Party Guy |
| 1978 | Fantasy Island | Moose Maloney |
| 1977 | The Love Boat | Ernie Jordan |
| 1976 | Rich Man, Poor Man | Al Funducci |
| 1975 | Wonder Woman | Neil |
| 1975 | Joe Forrester | |
| 1975 | Bronk | |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live | Self - Cameo (uncredited) |
| 1974 | The Six Million Dollar Man | Bobby Laport |
| 1974 | The Rockford Files | Dick Butkus |
| 1974 | Petrocelli | Bill Eberly |
| 1973 | Police Story | |
| 1972 | Emergency! | Dave 'The Animal' |
| 1971 | McMillan & Wife | Coach |
| 1961 | The Mike Douglas Show | Self |