Billy Ray Suggs was a man of many contradictions. He was an actor, known for his role as Dad in the indie film Moss (2017), but he was also a former drug kingpin, who was convicted of importing and selling $25 million worth of cocaine in the 1970s. He was married to Fran Suggs, a loving wife who stood by him until his death, but he also had a turbulent past that involved violence and prison. He died on July 2, 2021, at the age of 69, after a battle with cancer.
From Crime to Cinema
Billy Ray Suggs was born on October 17, 1951, in North Carolina, USA. He grew up in a poor and rural area, where he dropped out of school at an early age and started working as a farmhand. He soon became involved in the drug trade, smuggling cocaine from Colombia to the US. He was arrested in 1976, when he was 24 years old, and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
According to IMDb, Suggs spent most of his time in prison reading books and studying various subjects. He also developed an interest in acting and theater, and participated in several prison plays. He was released in 1999, after serving 23 years of his sentence. He then moved to Virginia, where he met Fran Suggs, a nurse who became his wife in 1996.
Suggs decided to pursue his passion for acting, and enrolled in a local acting school. He also auditioned for various roles in films and TV shows, but faced rejection and discrimination because of his criminal record and appearance. He was often typecast as a villain or a thug, and struggled to find meaningful roles.
A Breakthrough Role
Suggs’ luck changed when he met Daniel Peddle, an independent filmmaker who was looking for actors for his film Moss (2017). Peddle was impressed by Suggs’ charisma and authenticity, and cast him as the father of the protagonist, Moss (Mitchell Slaggert), a young man who lives in a remote cabin with his dad.
Moss (2017) is a coming-of-age drama that explores the relationship between Moss and his dad, who is a recluse and a loner. The film also features Dorian Cobb as Blaze, Moss’ friend and love interest. The film was shot in North Carolina, in the same area where Suggs grew up.
According to Peddle, Suggs brought a lot of his own life experience and personality to the role of Dad. He said that Suggs was “a natural actor” who had “a lot of wisdom and humor”. He also praised Suggs’ chemistry with Slaggert and Cobb, saying that they formed “a real family” on set.
Moss (2017) premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June 2017, where it received positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film was also screened at various other festivals around the world, such as the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Raindance Film Festival. The film won several awards, such as the Best Narrative Feature Award at the New Orleans Film Festival and the Best Director Award at the Oxford Film Festival.
Suggs received acclaim for his performance as Dad, which was described as “touching”, “powerful”, and “memorable”. He was nominated for the Best Actor Award at the Oxford Film Festival and the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Method Fest Independent Film Festival.
A Tragic End
Suggs’ acting career seemed to be on the rise after Moss (2017), but he faced another challenge in his life: cancer. Suggs was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and underwent treatment at a hospital in Virginia. His wife Fran supported him throughout his illness, and stayed by his side until his death.
Suggs died on July 2, 2021, in Virginia, USA. He was 69 years old. His death was announced by Peddle on social media, who paid tribute to him as “a dear friend” and “a remarkable human being”. Peddle also shared some photos and videos of Suggs from the making of Moss (2017), and thanked him for his contribution to the film.
Suggs’ death was mourned by many people who knew him or admired his work. His co-stars Slaggert and Cobb expressed their condolences and shared their memories of working with him on Moss (2017). Many fans of the film also expressed their sadness and appreciation for Suggs’ performance as Dad.
Suggs’ life story is one of redemption and resilience. He overcame poverty, crime, prison, and prejudice to become an actor and a star. He left behind a legacy of a film that touched many hearts and a role that showcased his talent and humanity. He will be remembered as Billy Ray Suggs, the actor and former drug kingpin, who died of cancer.
