Duane Whitaker

Early life

Whitaker was born in Abilene, Texas, the oldest child of Nathan Duane Whitaker Sr. (b. August 18, 1933 in Woodson, Texas) and Barbara Ella (née Hudson) (b. April 29, 1934 in Amarillo, Texas), a nurse. He has two younger sisters, Margaret Denise Whitaker (b. April 12, 1962) and Ramona Doyce Whitaker (b. March 24, 1963), both born in Lubbock, Texas.

Career

Duane Whitaker is probably best known for his role in Quentin Tarantino's popular 1994 film Pulp Fiction as Maynard, the sadistic pawn shop owner. He wrote and portrayed the title role in Eddie Presley (based on his own successful stage play). Whitaker also wrote, directed and appeared in Together and Alone.

Other notable roles include; a racist cop in Tales from the Hood, the bouncer Roadrash in Hobgoblins, Boss Man in Feast, The Sheriff in Trailer Park of Terror, Luther in From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (which he also co-wrote), Buddy in Dead Letters, Winslow in Broke Sky, Mickey in Cordoba Nights and Dr. Bankhead in The Devil's Rejects.

Most recently Duane has appeared in the feature films Albino Farm, Dozers, Halloween II and "Lionhead." On TV, Duane appeared on the Cold Case episode "The Brush Man" and recently filmed a recurring role in the new FX Series The Bridge as well. Whitaker has also written numerous screenplays including "Stripteaser."

On March 31, 2010, American Cinematheque hosted a screening of Eddie Presley and "Together and Alone" at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. Duane has also spent nearly a decade teaching Film Acting classes in Los Angeles.

Personal life

Duane is a graduate of Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas.