Justus Ellis McQueen Jr., also famous as L.Q. Jones, was an American actor who starred in several of Sam Peckinpah’s well-known films, including Ride the High Country, Major Dundee, The Wild Bunch, The Ballad of Cable Hogue, and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.
Profile
- Full Name: Justus Ellis McQueen Jr.
- Stage Name: L.Q Jones
- Born: August 19, 1927
- Age: 94 years old
- Birthplace: Beaumont, Texas, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actor
- Height: 1.88m
- Parent: Justice Ellis McQueen, Jessie Paralee Mcqueen
- Siblings: N/A
- Spouse: Nata Lewis
- Children: Randy, Steeve and Mindy
- Relationship: N/A
- Net worth: $2million
Early Life
L.Q Jones, originally named Justus Ellis McQueen Jr., was born in Beaumont, Texas, on August 19, 1927.
His early years were filled with various experiences before he gained recognition as a character actor.
Unfortunately, he faced the loss of his mother in a car accident when he was young. After finishing high school in 1945, he briefly joined the U.S. Navy.
He then explored different academic pursuits by attending Lamar Junior College and Lon Morris College and studying law, business, and journalism at the University of Texas in Austin.
Education
In 1945, he graduated from Port Neches Groves High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946.
He then pursued further education at Lamar Junior College and Lon Morris College before studying law, business, and journalism at the University of Texas at Austin from 1950 to 1951.
Career
L.Q. Jones, born Justus Ellis McQueen Jr., was a prolific American actor who built a long and impressive career.
While known for his gruff and imposing demeanour on screen, he also displayed a versatility rarely seen in character actors.
He started his acting career in the 1950s, with roles in movies such as “The Naked and the Dead” and “Men in War.”
Transitioned to Western films, collaborating with well-known directors such as John Ford and Delmer Daves.
He received praise for his work with director Sam Peckinpah and starred in beloved films such as “Ride the High Country,” “The Wild Bunch,” and “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.”
These performances solidified his reputation as a rugged and complex cowboy character.
Displaying his versatility in a wide range of genres, he was featured in war films like “Hell Is for Heroes,” crime dramas like “Casino,” and even ventured into science fiction with “A Boy and His Dog,” which he also wrote and directed.
He also appeared in beloved television series like Gunsmoke and The Virginian and had guest appearances on Charlie’s Angels.
Even in his later years, his acting career spanned decades, with roles in films like The Patriot, The Mask of Zorro, and A Prairie Home Companion.
Awards and Nominations
- Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Performance: Nominated in 2002 for his work in “The Shipping News.”
- Nebula Award for Best Script: Nominated in 1972 for co-writing the screenplay for “The Ballad of Cable Hogue.”
- :Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation: He was nominated in 1974 for his role in the television movie The Trial of Billy Carter.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: N/A
- Facebook handle: N/A
- Twitter handle: N/A
Personal Life
Jones married Neta Sue Lewis for 29 years and raised three children together.
Despite their divorce, Jones never entered into another marriage. Jones, a devout Methodist and a registered Republican, shared a close friendship with actor Strother Martin, and they acted in several movies together, including “The Wild Bunch”.
Later in his life, Jones resided in a retirement home in Los Angeles, where he passed away on July 9, 2022, at 94.
Filmography
- Battle Cry (1955)
- An Annapolis Story (1955)
- Target Zero (1955)
- Santiago (1956)
- Toward the Unknown (1956)
- Between Heaven and Hell (1956)
- Love Me Tender (1956)
- Johnny Tremain (1957)
- Men in War (1957)
- Operation Mad Ball (1957)
- The Big Caper (1959)
- Ride the High Country (1962)
- Hell Is for Heroes (1962)
- Major Dundee (1965)
- Hang ‘Em High (1968)
- Stay Away, Joe (1968)
- The Wild Bunch (1969)
- The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970)
- The Brotherhood of Satan (1971)
- A Boy and His Dog (1975)
- Attack on Terror: The FBI vs. the Ku Klux Klan (1975)
- White Line Fever (1975)
- Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)
- Casino (1995)
- Tornado! (1996)
- The Edge (1997)
- The Mask of Zorro (1998)
- A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
- Cheyenne (1955)
- Gunsmoke (1955)
- Laramie (1959)
- Two Faces West (1960–1961)
- The Virginian (1962)
- Bonanza (1964–1967)
- The Fugitive (1965)
Net Worth
At the time of his death, his net worth is estimated to be around $2million
