If you wanted somebody crusty in your movie, you hired James Gammon.
Gammon, a veteran character actor, died Friday at his daughter's home in Costa Mesa, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported. He was 70.
You probably know Gammon best for his role (pictured above) as Lou Brown, the gruff manager of the Cleveland Indians in the baseball comedy "Major League." (He was the one who was confined to a hospital bed during the Indians' stretch toward the division title.)
He also had major roles in "Urban Cowboy," "The Milagro Beanfield War" (for director Robert Redford), "Leaving Normal," "Ironweed," "Silverado" and "Cold Mountain."
On TV, he made guest appearances from the 1960s (in "Gunsmoke") through 2007 (on "Grey's Anatomy"). He also was on the detective series "Nash Bridges," playing the father of the title character played by Don Johnson (even though there was only a nine-year age difference between them).
On stage, though, Gammon was a regular actor in the plays of Sam Shepard -- a collaboration that began when Gammon appeared in a 1978 production at New York's Public Theatre of "Curse of the Starving Class."

If you wanted somebody crusty in your movie, you hired James Gammon.
Gammon, a veteran character actor, died Friday at his daughter's home in Costa Mesa, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported. He was 70.
You probably know Gammon best for his role (pictured above) as Lou Brown, the gruff manager of the Cleveland Indians in the baseball comedy "Major League." (He was the one who was confined to a hospital bed during the Indians' stretch toward the division title.)
He also had major roles in "Urban Cowboy," "The Milagro Beanfield War" (for director Robert Redford), "Leaving Normal," "Ironweed," "Silverado" and "Cold Mountain."
On TV, he made guest appearances from the 1960s (in "Gunsmoke") through 2007 (on "Grey's Anatomy"). He also was on the detective series "Nash Bridges," playing the father of the title character played by Don Johnson (even though there was only a nine-year age difference between them).
On stage, though, Gammon was a regular actor in the plays of Sam Shepard -- a collaboration that began when Gammon appeared in a 1978 production at New York's Public Theatre of "Curse of the Starving Class."

Actor James Gammon, who was known for his distinct gravelly voice, died at his daughter's home surrounded by his family. He was only 70 years-old.
Gammon battled "cancer two and a half years ago. It came back aggressively about a month ago in his adrenal glands and liver," according to his wife, Nancy. Unfortunately, the actor was too weak to do surgery or chemotherapy, so he choose to do hospice at home for his remaining days.
He had a vast career starting as a cameraman while acting in local theater. The actor moved to California and began acting in television. In 1967, James made his film debut in Cool Hand Luke along side actor Paul Newman.
Throughout his career, Gammon logged more than 135 screen credits, but is best known for his film role in the 1989 comedy Major League where he played Lou Brown, manager of the hopeless Cleveland Indians. He also played a key role in films including, Urban Cowboy, The Milagro Beanfield War, Leaving Normal, Ironweed, Silverado and Cold Mountain.
In his most notable television role, he played the father of Don Johnson on Nash Bridges from 1996 to 2001. Gammon also had recurring roles in The Waltons, Bagdad Café, Homefront and Middle Ages. He even made guest appearances on shows like the popular 1960s hit Gunsmoke to the now popular Grey's Anatomy.

Actor James Gammon, who was known for his distinct gravelly voice, died at his daughter's home surrounded by his family. He was only 70 years-old.
Gammon battled "cancer two and a half years ago. It came back aggressively about a month ago in his adrenal glands and liver," according to his wife, Nancy. Unfortunately, the actor was too weak to do surgery or chemotherapy, so he choose to do hospice at home for his remaining days.
He had a vast career starting as a cameraman while acting in local theater. The actor moved to California and began acting in television. In 1967, James made his film debut in Cool Hand Luke along side actor Paul Newman.
Throughout his career, Gammon logged more than 135 screen credits, but is best known for his film role in the 1989 comedy Major League where he played Lou Brown, manager of the hopeless Cleveland Indians. He also played a key role in films including, Urban Cowboy, The Milagro Beanfield War, Leaving Normal, Ironweed, Silverado and Cold Mountain.
In his most notable television role, he played the father of Don Johnson on Nash Bridges from 1996 to 2001. Gammon also had recurring roles in The Waltons, Bagdad Café, Homefront and Middle Ages. He even made guest appearances on shows like the popular 1960s hit Gunsmoke to the now popular Grey's Anatomy.