Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara, California, the third son of James "Bud" Bottoms (a sculptor and art teacher) and Betty (Chapman), both of whom survive him. He was the brother of actors Timothy Bottoms (born 1951), Joseph Bottoms (born 1954) and Ben Bottoms (born 1960). He died of glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumor, on December 16, 2008. He was cremated and his ashes given to his widow.
Career
When Bottoms was 16 years old, he was on the set of The Last Picture Show, in which his older brother Timothy starred, when the director Peter Bogdanovich decided to give him a screen test. He ended up playing the character of Billy in the movie, who has no spoken lines, but contributes a pivotal role in the drama. Five years later, Bottoms appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Bottoms may be best remembered for his role as surfer Lance B. Johnson, a Navy Gunner's Mate stationed on a river boat in Francis Ford Coppola's 20th century opus, Apocalypse Now. According to author Peter Biskind, he acquired hookworm during the chaotic production in the Philippines, and the parasite "wrecked his liver".
Producer
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991)
Filmography
Actor
2007
Finishing the Game as
Martey Kurtainbaum
2006
Sherrybaby as
Bob Swanson Sr.
2005
Winter Passing as
Brian
2005
Shopgirl as
Dan Buttersfield
2005
Havoc as
Lt. Maris
2004
NYPD Blue (TV Series) as
David Lewis
- What's Your Poison? (2004) - David Lewis
2003
Seabiscuit as
Mr. Blodget
2002
True Files as
Alex Lomax
2001
Shadow Fury as
Mitchell Madsen
2001
The Unsaid as
Joseph Caffey
2001
Looking Through Lillian as
Gene
1999
Joseph's Gift as
Robert Keller
1998
My Neighbor's Daughter as
Dennis / Husband
1998
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (TV Movie) as
Camera Man
1997
Sticky Fingers (Video) as
Roshi Ishtar
1997
Snide and Prejudice as
Therapist Schaub
1995
The X-Files (TV Series) as
Michael Kryder
- Revelations (1995) - Michael Kryder
1995
Project Shadowchaser III (Video) as
Kody
1995
Zooman (TV Movie) as
Policeman
1994
Sunny Side Up as
Sam Bottoms
1993
Sugar Hill as
Oliver Thompson
1993
The Trust as
James Baker
1992
North of Chiang Mai as
Michael
1991
Dolly Dearest as
Elliot Wade
1989
Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) as
Joe Hellinger / Sgt. Joe Rice
- Suspicion of Murder (1991) - Joe Hellinger
- The Search for Peter Kerry (1989) - Sgt. Joe Rice
1990
Ragin' Cajun as
Legs
1990
21 Jump Street (TV Series) as
Robert Johnson
- Rounding Third (1990) - Robert Johnson
1988
After School as
Father Michael McCarren
1987
The Witching of Ben Wagner (TV Movie) as
Mr. George 'Dad' Wagner
1987
Island Sons (TV Movie) as
Sam Faraday
1987
Gardens of Stone as
Lt. Webber
1986
Hunter's Blood as
David Rand (as Samuel Bottoms)
1985
Answers (TV Movie) as
Patrolman Rick Selby (Segment "A Good Time")
1985
Prime Risk as
Bill Yeoman (as Samuel Bottoms)
1984
In 'n Out as
Murray Lewis Jr. (as Samuel Bottoms)
1984
No Earthly Reason (TV Movie) as
Coley
1982
Desperate Lives (TV Movie) as
Ken Baynes
1981
East of Eden (TV Mini Series) as
Cal Trask
- Part Three (1981) - Cal Trask
- Part Two (1981) - Cal Trask (credit only)
- Part One (1981) - Cal Trask (credit only)
1980
Bronco Billy as
Leonard James
1979
Up from the Depths as
Greg Oliver
1979
Apocalypse Now as
GM3 Lance B. Johnson
1978
The Eddie Capra Mysteries (TV Series)
- Breakout to Murder (1978)
1978
Greatest Heroes of the Bible (TV Series) as
Joseph
- Joseph in Egypt (1978) - Joseph
1976
The Outlaw Josey Wales as
Jamie
1976
Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series) as
Ed
- Aspects of Love (1976) - Ed
1975
Cage Without a Key (TV Movie) as
Buddy Goleta
1974
Lucas Tanner (TV Series) as
Ron Gibbons
- Cheers! (1974) - Ron Gibbons
1974
Savages (TV Movie) as
Ben Campbell
1974
Zandy's Bride as
Mel Allan
1974
Doc Elliot (TV Series) as
Gary Basquin
- The Runner (1974) - Gary Basquin
1973
Class of '44 as
Marty
1971
The Last Picture Show as
Billy
Producer
1991
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (Documentary) (producer)
Soundtrack
1976
The Outlaw Josey Wales (performer: "Rose of Alabamy" - uncredited)
Thanks
1999
Hell Hath No Fury (Video documentary short) (special thanks)
1999
The Big Brass Ring (special thanks)
1991
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (Documentary) (special thanks)
Self
2006
50 Films to See Before You Die (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
1999
Hell Hath No Fury (Video documentary short) as
Self - 'Jamie'
1991
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (Documentary) as
Self
1991
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (Documentary) as
Self
Archive Footage
2009
15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV Special) as
