Cast of 1973's High Plains Drifter: Then and Now
As a movie fan, I love looking back at classic films and seeing what the cast has been up to since then. Today, we're going to talk about the cast of the 1973 Western, High Plains Drifter. This movie was directed by and starred Clint Eastwood, and it's a must-see for any Western fan.
Let's see what the cast has been up to!
Clint Eastwood as The Stranger
Then (Age in 1973): 43 years old
Now: 94 years old
Eastwood's portrayal of the Stranger showcases a complex and multifaceted character, blending elements of both anti-hero and vigilante. He is a man of few words, yet his actions speak volumes, revealing a cunning and resourceful individual who is unafraid to confront injustice and dish out his own brand of retribution. The Stranger's unwavering resolve and formidable presence ultimately lead to a climactic showdown, where he metes out a brutal and unforgiving form of justice that leaves a lasting impact on the town and its inhabitants.
His performance was amazing, and he went on to become one of the most respected actors and directors in Hollywood. He has won many awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Director and four Golden Globe Awards.
Richard Wells
Verna Bloom as Sarah Belding
Then (Age in 1973): 35 years old
Now: Deceased (1940–2019), aged 80
Verna Bloom played Sarah Belding, the wife of the town's corrupt marshal. She did a great job showing her character's conflicted loyalties and transformation throughout the film. After High Plains Drifter, she continued to work in film and TV, appearing in projects like The Deer Hunter and High Spirits. She passed away in 2019 at the age of 80.
Richard Wells
Marianna Hill as Callie Travers
Then (Age in 1973): 32 years old
Now: 83 years old
Marianna Hill played Callie Travers, the town's prostitute. She brought a sense of vulnerability and humanity to her character, and she had great chemistry with Clint Eastwood's Stranger. Hill's acting career spanned several decades, with roles in films like The Green Slime and The Godfather Part II. She continues to act, most recently appearing in the 2018 film The Maestro.
Mitchell Ryan as Dave Drake
Then (Age in 1973): 39 years old
Now: Deceased (1939-2022), aged 88
Mitchell Ryan played Dave Drake, the town's corrupt marshal. He was a great foil to Eastwood's Stranger, and he did a great job showing his character's moral decay and eventual downfall. After High Plains Drifter, Ryan had a successful career in film and TV, appearing in shows like Dharma & Greg and Lethal Weapon.
Richard Wells
Jack Ging as Morgan Allen
Then (Age in 1973): 42 years old
Now: Deceased (1932-2022), aged 90
Jack Ging played Morgan Allen, a member of the corrupt town council. He added depth and complexity to the supporting cast, and his portrayal of a man torn between his own moral code and the town's corruption was a highlight of the film. Ging continued to work in TV and film until his passing in 2022 at the age of 90.
Stefan Gierasch as Mayor Jason Hobart
Then (Age in 1973): 47 years old
Now: Deceased (1926–2014), aged 88
Stefan Gierasch played Mayor Jason Hobart, the corrupt leader of the town. He was a crucial element in the film's exploration of power and corruption, and he did a great job showing his character's ruthlessness and moral bankruptcy. After High Plains Drifter, Gierasch continued to work in film and TV, appearing in projects like Carrie and The Deer Hunter.
Ted Hartley as Lewis Belding
Then (Age in 1973): 49 years old
Now: 99 years old
Ted Hartley played Lewis Belding, the town's corrupt banker. He provided an important counterpoint to Verna Bloom's Sarah Belding, and his ability to convey the character's greed and complicity in the town's corruption was a standout element of the film. After High Plains Drifter, Hartley had a successful career in both acting and business, becoming the chairman and CEO of RKO Pictures.
Billy Curtis as Mordecai
Then (Age in 1973): 64 years old
Now: Deceased (1909-1988), aged 79
Billy Curtis played Mordecai, the town's dwarf bartender. He added a unique and unsettling presence to the film's supporting cast, and his ability to convey the character's world-weariness and resignation to the town's corruption was a highlight of his performance. Curtis had a long and varied career in film and TV, appearing in projects like The Terror and The Green Slime.
Geoffrey Lewis as Stacey Bridges
Then (Age in 1973): 38 years old
Now: Deceased (1935–2015), aged 79
Geoffrey Lewis played Stacey Bridges in High Plains Drifter. He brought a haunting and unsettling presence to his role, and his character's cryptic warnings and ominous demeanour added to the film's sense of foreboding and unease. Lewis went on to have a prolific career, appearing in numerous films and TV shows, including Thunderbolt and Lightfoot and Maverick. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 79.
Paul Brinegar as Lutie Naylor
Then (Age in 1973): 56 years old
Now: Deceased (1917–1995), age 77
Paul Brinegar played Lutie Naylor, the town's corrupt saloon owner. He added to the film's sense of moral decay and corruption, and his ability to convey the character's greed and complicity in the town's misdeeds was a standout element of his performance. After High Plains Drifter, Brinegar continued to work in film and TV, appearing in projects like Rawhide and Blazing Saddles.
Richard Wells
Walter Barnes as Sheriff Sam Shaw
Then (Age in 1973): 55 years old
Now: Deceased (1926-1998), age 79
Walter Barnes played Sheriff Sam Shaw, the town's corrupt law enforcement officer. He did a great job showing the character's moral bankruptcy and complicity in the town's misdeeds. Barnes had a long and varied career in film and TV, with roles in projects like The Omega Man and The Dukes of Hazzard. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 78.
Robert Donner as Preacher
Then (Age in 1973): 43 years old
Now: Deceased (1931–2006), age 75
Robert Donner played the Preacher, a character who serves as a moral counterpoint to the town's corruption. He added depth and complexity to the film's supporting cast, and his ability to convey the character's sense of foreboding and unease was a highlight of his performance. After High Plains Drifter, Donner continued to work in film and TV, appearing in projects like Yuma and The Dukes of Hazzard.
High Plains Drifter is a classic Western that has stood the test of time. The film's talented cast, led by Clint Eastwood, delivered memorable performances that continue to captivate audiences today. It's fascinating to see how the careers of these actors have evolved since the film's release in 1973. Whether they continued to work in film and television or pursued other ventures, each cast member has left their mark on the industry in their own unique way.
As a movie fan, I always enjoy looking back at classic films like High Plains Drifter and seeing how the cast has evolved over the years. It's a reminder of the enduring power of cinema and the impact that a single film can have on the careers of its cast members. So, the next time you watch High Plains Drifter, take a moment to appreciate the talented cast and their contributions to this classic Western.
FAQ on High Plains Drifter
1. What is the significance of the town's name "Lago" in the film?
The town of Lago is significant in the film as it is literally renamed "Hell" by the Stranger, reflecting the dark and sinister nature of the town and its inhabitants. This symbolic renaming underscores the film's themes of sin, guilt, and retribution that are central to Clint Eastwood's directorial vision.12
2. Why did John Wayne dislike High Plains Drifter?
According to Clint Eastwood, John Wayne rejected the film and sent Eastwood a letter expressing his strong dislike for High Plains Drifter, stating that "it wasn't really about the people who pioneered the West." Wayne preferred more traditional Westerns that portrayed heroic sheriffs and upstanding townspeople, which clashed with Eastwood's more cynical and revisionist take on the genre.23
3. How was the town of Lago constructed for the film?
The town of Lago was not shot on a studio lot as Universal Pictures had wanted, but rather Clint Eastwood had an entire town built in the desert near Mono Lake in the California Sierras. Many of the buildings were fully constructed with interiors that could be filmed on location. After shooting was completed, the town was burned down.
4. Was the horse actually shot in the film?
No, the horse was not actually shot in the famous scene in High Plains Drifter. The horse was well-trained to play dead after the gunshot was fired, with a few seconds of delay before reacting. Horses can be trained to perform such realistic stunts without actually being harmed.
5. Was the Stranger (Clint Eastwood's character) actually the avenging brother of the murdered Marshal Duncan?
No, the original screenplay had the Stranger being the avenging brother of Marshal Duncan, but Clint Eastwood preferred the more ambiguous and supernatural interpretation of the character as a ghostly avenger. The final film leaves the Stranger's identity and origins mysterious.
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