L. Q. Jones

L. Q. Jones (born Justis Ellis McQueen, Jr. on August 19, 1927) is an American actor and director, best known for his work in the films of Sam Peckinpah.

Early life

Jones was born in Beaumont, Texas, the son of Jessie Paralee (née Stephens) and Justice Ellis McQueen, a railroad worker. He attended the University of Texas at Austin.

Career

Jones made his film debut under his birth name in Battle Cry in 1955. His character was named L. Q. Jones, and when it was suggested to him by film producers that he change his screen name for future pictures, he decided that the name of his debut character would be a memorable one. He appeared in numerous films in the 1960s and 1970s. He became a member of Sam Peckinpah's stock company of actors, appearing in his Klondike series (1960–1961), Ride the High Country (1962), Major Dundee (1965), The Wild Bunch (1969), The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970), and Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid (1973).

Jones was frequently cast alongside his close friend, Strother Martin, most memorably in The Wild Bunch. He also appeared as recurring characters on such western series as Cheyenne (1955), Gunsmoke (1955), Laramie, Two Faces West (1960–1961), and as ranch hand Andy Belden in The Virginian (1962). He was cast in the military drama series Men of Annapolis, on the CBS western Johnny Ringo, and on the NBC western Jefferson Drum. He made two guest appearances on Perry Mason, including the role of con artist and murder victim Charles B. Barnaby in the 1958 episode "The Case of the Lonely Heiress". He also appeared in an episode of The A-Team entitled "Cowboy George" and two episodes of The Fall Guy as Sheriff Dwight Leclerc.