Actor, Stuntman. He went from being a body guard and confidant for Elvis Presley to becoming a Hollywood stuntman and respectable actor. Born Robert Gene West, he was a well-rounded athlete during his youth and participated in high school football and later was a Golden Gloves boxer and karate instructor. He began his association with Elvis Presley as a driver and following service with the United States Marine Corps, West expanded on his friendship with Presley. He initiated his career in entertainment during the late 1950s with bit roles in film and television. West appeared in several of Presley's pictures including "Kid Galahad" (1962), "Viva Las Vegas" (1965) and "Harum Scarum" (1965). He became a familiar presence to television audiences on the program "The Wild, Wild West" (1967 to 1969); usually cast as a villain sidekick. Additionally, he performed stunt work during the course of the show's run. He formed a friendship with the series' star Robert Conrad for which led to West being cast in the recurring part of 'Sergeant Micklin' in the show "Black Sheep Squadron" (1977 to 1978), of which Conrad was the star. West remained busy in both TV and films (among his films include "Road House", 1989) into the 2010s. He died from an aortic aneurysm.
Actor, Stuntman. He went from being a body guard and confidant for Elvis Presley to becoming a Hollywood stuntman and respectable actor. Born Robert Gene West, he was a well-rounded athlete during his youth and participated in high school football and later was a Golden Gloves boxer and karate instructor. He began his association with Elvis Presley as a driver and following service with the United States Marine Corps, West expanded on his friendship with Presley. He initiated his career in entertainment during the late 1950s with bit roles in film and television. West appeared in several of Presley's pictures including "Kid Galahad" (1962), "Viva Las Vegas" (1965) and "Harum Scarum" (1965). He became a familiar presence to television audiences on the program "The Wild, Wild West" (1967 to 1969); usually cast as a villain sidekick. Additionally, he performed stunt work during the course of the show's run. He formed a friendship with the series' star Robert Conrad for which led to West being cast in the recurring part of 'Sergeant Micklin' in the show "Black Sheep Squadron" (1977 to 1978), of which Conrad was the star. West remained busy in both TV and films (among his films include "Road House", 1989) into the 2010s. He died from an aortic aneurysm.
Bio by: C.S.
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