Mike Henry, a former NFL linebacker and actor who played Tarzan in the 1960s and Junior in the Smokey and the Bandit series, died on January 8, 2021 at the age of 84. His family announced his death on February 3, 2021, revealing that he had been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and Parkinson’s disease for many years. These conditions were caused by the head injuries he sustained during his football career at the University of Southern California and the NFL.
From the Gridiron to the Silver Screen
Henry was born in Los Angeles in 1936 and grew up in East Los Angeles. He was a talented football player who attended USC on a scholarship and played for the Trojans from 1955 to 1957. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1958 and played for them until 1961. He then requested a transfer to the Los Angeles Rams, hoping to pursue his acting ambitions in Hollywood. He played for the Rams from 1962 to 1964, when he caught the eye of a Warner Bros. producer who offered him a screen test for the role of Tarzan.
Henry accepted the offer and starred in three Tarzan films from 1966 to 1968: Tarzan and the Valley of Gold, Tarzan and the Great River, and Tarzan and the Jungle Boy. He also appeared in several other movies and TV shows, such as The Green Berets, Soylent Green, The Longest Yard, MAS*H, General Hospital, and Fantasy Island. However, he was best known for his role as Junior, the son of Jackie Gleason’s character Sheriff Buford T. Justice, in the Smokey and the Bandit trilogy from 1977 to 1983. He worked with Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jerry Reed in the popular action comedies that featured car chases, stunts, and humor.
The Price of Fame and Fame
Henry’s acting career came at a cost, however. He suffered from various injuries and illnesses as a result of his football and film activities. He was bitten by a chimpanzee while filming a Tarzan movie, which led to blood poisoning and a lawsuit. He also contracted hepatitis and typhus while shooting in Mexico and Brazil. He developed chronic back pain and arthritis that required multiple surgeries. He also experienced memory loss, mood swings, depression, and tremors that were later diagnosed as CTE and Parkinson’s disease.
CTE is a degenerative brain disorder that is caused by repeated head trauma. It can lead to cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, dementia, and suicide. It is common among athletes who play contact sports, such as football, boxing, and hockey. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that affects movement and coordination. It can cause shaking, stiffness, slowness, and balance problems. It is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain, which may be triggered by genetic or environmental factors, including head injuries.
Henry retired from acting in 1988 and spent the rest of his life battling his health issues. He was cared for by his wife of 36 years, Cheryl Henry, and his daughter, Shannon Noble. He also received support from his fans and friends, who remembered him as a kind, gentle, and generous man. He died peacefully at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, leaving behind a legacy of courage and charisma.
