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Bernard Terry Casey (June 8, 1939 – September 19, 2017)[1] was an American professional football player and actor. He was a football player and All-American hurdler at Bowling Green State University, before playing professionally as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), first for the San Francisco 49ers and then the Los Angeles Rams. He made his acting debut in the Western film Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969). After retiring from football, he became a leading man and action hero in the burgeoning blaxploitation film genre of the 1970s.

Key Information

Casey played prominent roles in films like Brian's Song (1971), Boxcar Bertha (1972), Cleopatra Jones (1973), The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Sharky's Machine (1981), Revenge of the Nerds (1984), Spies Like Us (1985), and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1987). He won an NAACP Image Award for his portrayal of basketball player Maurice Stokes in the biographical film Maurie (1973). He also played Felix Leiter in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again (1983) and starred in the miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.

In addition to acting and athletics, Casey was also a published poet and a painter.[2]

Early life and amateur athletics

[edit]

Casey was born in Wyco, West Virginia, the son of Flossie (Coleman) and Frank Leslie Casey.[3] He graduated from East High School in Columbus, Ohio.[1] He then attended Bowling Green State University.

Casey was a record-breaking hurdler for Bowling Green State University[4] and helped the 1959 football team win a small college national championship.[5] Casey earned All-America recognition and a trip to the finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1960. In addition to national honors, he won three consecutive Mid-American Conference titles in the high-hurdles, 1958–60.[6]

Professional football career

[edit]

Casey was the ninth overall selection of the 1961 NFL draft, taken by the San Francisco 49ers. He played eight NFL seasons (several positions, first five seasons mainly a halfback, last three seasons a flanker (setback wide receiver)): six with the 49ers and two with the Los Angeles Rams.[1]

His best-known play came in 1967 for the Rams in the penultimate game of the regular season against the Green Bay Packers. The Rams needed to win to keep their division title hopes alive, but trailed 24–20 with under a minute to play. Facing fourth down, the Packers lined up to punt, but Tony Guillory blocked the Donny Anderson punt and Claude Crabb returned it to the Packer five-yard line. After an incomplete pass, Casey caught the winning touchdown pass from Roman Gabriel with under thirty seconds to play to give the Rams a 27–24 victory.[7][8] The Rams defeated the Baltimore Colts the following week to win the Coastal Division title at 11–1–2.[9][10][11][12]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1961 SFO 12 2 10 185 18.5 51 1
1962 SFO 13 11 53 819 15.5 48 6
1963 SFO 14 14 47 762 16.2 68 7
1964 SFO 13 13 58 808 13.9 63 4
1965 SFO 14 14 59 765 13.0 59 8
1966 SFO 13 13 50 669 13.4 32 1
1967 RAM 14 14 53 871 16.4 57 8
1968 RAM 12 12 29 565 19.5 55 5
105 93 359 5,444 15.2 68 40

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1967 RAM 1 1 5 82 16.4 29 1
1 1 5 82 16.4 29 1

Acting career

[edit]

Casey began his acting career in the film Guns of the Magnificent Seven, a sequel to The Magnificent Seven. Then he played opposite fellow former NFL star Jim Brown in the crime dramas ...tick...tick...tick... and Black Gunn. He played a leading role in the 1972 science fiction TV film Gargoyles. He also played Tamara Dobson's love interest in 1973's Cleopatra Jones.

Casey in 2014

From there he moved between performances on television and the big screen such as playing team captain for the Chicago Bears in the TV film Brian's Song. In 1979, he starred as widower Mike Harris in the NBC television series Harris and Company, the first weekly American TV drama series centered on a black family. In 1980, he played Major Jeff Spender in the television mini-series The Martian Chronicles, based on the novel by Ray Bradbury.

In 1981, Casey played a detective opposite Burt Reynolds in the feature film Sharky's Machine, directed by Reynolds. The two reunited a few years later for the crime story Rent-a-Cop.

In 1983, he played the role of CIA agent Felix Leiter in the non-Eon Productions James Bond film Never Say Never Again. He appeared in Revenge of the Nerds and had a comedic role as Colonel Rhombus in the John Landis film Spies Like Us. Casey also appeared in the film Hit Man.

Also during his career, he worked with such well-known directors as Martin Scorsese in his 1972 film Boxcar Bertha and appeared on such television series as The Streets of San Francisco.

He played a version of himself, and other football players turned actors, in Keenen Ivory Wayans's 1988 comedic film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka.[13] He played high school history teacher Mr. Ryan, in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, released in 1989. Casey appeared as a very influential prisoner with outside connections in Walter Hill's Another 48 Hrs.. In 1992, he appeared as a Naval officer on the battleship USS Missouri in Under Siege.

In 1994, Casey guest-starred in a two-episode story arc in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the Maquis leader Lieutenant Commander Cal Hudson, and in 1995 as a guest-star on both SeaQuest 2032 as Admiral VanAlden and Babylon 5 as Derek Cranston. In 2006, he co-starred in the film When I Find the Ocean alongside such actors as Lee Majors. His lasting acting role was in the low-budget horror film Vegas Vampires, directed by fellow football player-turned-blaxploitation icon Fred Williamson.

Personal life

[edit]

Casey enjoyed painting and writing poetry. Look at the People, a book of his paintings and poems, was published by Doubleday in 1969.[2]

Death

[edit]

Casey died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on September 19, 2017, after a stroke.[14][15]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1969 Guns of the Magnificent Seven Cassie [16]
1970 ...tick...tick...tick... George Harley [17]
1971 Black Chariot The Drifter [18][19]
1972 Boxcar Bertha Von Morton [20][21]
Black Gunn Seth [22]
Hit Man Tyrone Tackett [23][24]
1973 Cleopatra Jones Reuben Masters [25]
Maurie Maurice Stokes [26]
1975 Cornbread, Earl and Me Officer Larry Atkins [27][28][29]
1976 Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde Dr. Henry Pride [30][31]
The Man Who Fell to Earth Mr. Peters [32][33]
1977 Brothers David Thomas [34]
1981 Sharky's Machine Detective Arch Driscoll [35][36]
1983 Never Say Never Again Felix Leiter [37][38]
1984 Revenge of the Nerds U.N. Jefferson [39]
1985 Spies Like Us Colonel Rhombus
1987 Steele Justice Detective Tom Reese
Amazon Women on the Moon Major General Hadley
Rent-A-Cop Lemar
1988 Backfire Clinton James
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka John Slade
1989 Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Mr. Ryan
1990 Another 48 Hrs. Kirkland Smith
1991 Chains of Gold Sergeant Falco
1992 Under Siege Commander Harris
1993 The Cemetery Club John
Street Knight Raymond
1994 The Glass Shield James Locket
1995 In the Mouth of Madness Robinson
Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored Mr. Walter
1997 The Dinner Good Brother
2001 Tomcats Officer Hurley
2002 Jim Brown: All-American Himself
On the Edge Rex Stevens
2006 When I Find the Ocean Amos Jackson
2007 Vegas Vampires Bloodhound Bill Final film role

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1971 Brian's Song J.C. Caroline Television film [40][41]
1972 Cade's County Patrick Episode: "Slay Ride"
Longstreet Ray Eller Episode: "Field of Honor"
The Streets of San Francisco Richard Episode: "Timelock"
Gargoyles The Gargoyle Television film [42]
1974 The Snoop Sisters Willie Bates Episode: "Fear Is a Free-Throw"
Panic on the 5:22 Wendell Weaver Television film [43][44]
1975 Police Story Duke Windsor Episode: "Company Man"
1976 Joe Forrester Cleveland Episode: "The Answers"
1977 Police Woman P.J. Johnson Episode: "Once a Snitch"
Police Story Hamilton Ward Episode: "The Six Foot Stretch"
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night Dave Williams Television film [45][46]
It Happened at Lakewood Manor Vince [47]
1978 Ring of Passion Joe Louis [48]
Love Is Not Enough Mike Harris [49]
1979 Roots: The Next Generations Bubba Haywood Miniseries [50][51]
Harris and Company Mike Harris 4 episodes [52][53]
1980 The Martian Chronicles Major Jeff Spender Miniseries [54][55][56]
1981 The Sophisticated Gents Shurley Walker [57][58]
1982 A House Divided: Denmark Vesey's Rebellion Slave Television film [59]
Trapper John, M.D. Thornie Thornberry Episode: "Love and Marriage"
Hear No Evil Inspector Monday Television film [60][61][62]
1983–84 Bay City Blues Ozzie Peoples 8 episodes [63][64]
1992 Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation U.N. Jefferson Television film
1994 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Calvin Hudson Episode: "The Maquis"
Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love U.N. Jefferson Television film
1995 seaQuest 2032 Admiral Vanalden Episode: "Chains of Command"
1995 Babylon 5 Derek Cranston Episode: "Hunter, Prey"
2000 Just Shoot Me! Himself 1 episode
2005 Girlfriends Judge Edward Dent Episode: "Judging Edward"

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year Category Work Result
NAACP Image Award 1974 Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Maurie Won

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bernie Casey

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bernard Terry Casey (June 8, 1939 – September 19, 2017) was an American actor, poet, painter, and professional known for his successful transition from athletics to . Born in the coal mining town of Wyco, , Casey attended , where he earned a B.S. degree in 1961 and excelled in football as a . Drafted in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft by the , he played eight seasons in the league—six with the 49ers (1961–1966) and two with the (1967–1968)—amassing 359 receptions for 5,444 yards and 40 touchdowns, and earning a selection in 1967. After retiring from football, Casey pursued acting, debuting in the Western Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969) and appearing in over 40 films, including notable roles as the sidekick J.D. in Cleopatra Jones (1973), Garrison in the TV movie Brian's Song (1971), CIA agent Felix Leiter in Never Say Never Again (1983), U.N. Jefferson in Revenge of the Nerds (1984), and Mr. Ryan in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989). He also directed films such as The Streets of L.A. (1979) and made guest appearances on television shows like Roots: The Next Generations and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In addition to his entertainment career, Casey was an accomplished visual artist whose abstract paintings were exhibited in more than 40 solo shows worldwide, including at the Smithsonian Institution's Hirshhorn Museum, and he received an honorary doctorate from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2002. He was also a published , with collections such as Look at the People (1969) and Where Is the Revolution? And Other Poems (1973), reflecting his multifaceted creative talents. Casey died in at age 78.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Bernard Terry Casey was born on June 8, 1939, in Wyco, , a small, rural community. He was the son of Frank Leslie Casey, a , and Flossie Coleman, and grew up in a working-class African American family amid the economic realities of the mining industry. Casey's early childhood in Wyco was shaped by the close-knit, community-oriented life of the , where family routines included activities like butchering hogs, reflecting the self-sufficient practices common in such environments. The family faced the typical challenges of limited opportunities and instability in the coal-dependent region, which influenced their decision to relocate. When Casey was still a youth, his family moved to , in search of improved prospects. He had at least one sibling, a sister named Frankie Murray. During this period, an interest in athletics began to emerge, foreshadowing his later pursuits.

Education and amateur athletics

Casey attended Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ohio, where he excelled in multiple sports, including track and field and football. He enrolled at in 1957 on an and pursued a degree in art education, earning a in 1961. At , Casey specialized in events, particularly the high hurdles, where he won three consecutive championships from 1958 to 1960 and earned honors each year. He also set school records in the event, including a time of 14.5 seconds in the 120-yard high hurdles in 1958.

Professional football career

College career

Bernie Casey, who had established himself as a record-breaking hurdler at , transitioned into football during his undergraduate years, leveraging his athletic versatility to become a standout for from 1958 to 1960. Initially drawn to the sport through peers, Casey quickly adapted his speed and agility from track events to excel on the gridiron, contributing to the team's offensive prowess while pursuing a degree in education on a football . Over his three college seasons, Casey established himself as one of the conference's top pass-catchers, leading in receiving on several occasions. In 1959, he played a pivotal role in Bowling Green's small college season, leading the team with 264 receiving yards and scoring 7 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Mid-American honors alongside teammates like Bob Colburn and Ron Blackledge. The following year, Casey capped his collegiate career with second-team Little All-American recognition, highlighting his consistent impact on the team's success during an 8-1 season. His impressive college performance culminated in being selected by the as the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft, marking him as one of the highest-drafted players from the at the time.

NFL career and achievements

Bernie Casey began his professional football career with the after being selected in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1961 NFL Draft. He played for the 49ers from 1961 to 1966, appearing in 79 games and establishing himself as a key offensive player known for his 6-foot-4 frame, exceptional speed, and reliable hands that made him a consistent deep threat. In 1967, Casey was traded to the , where he spent his final two seasons (1967–1968), contributing to their offense in 26 games before retiring at age 29 ahead of the 1969 season to focus on his burgeoning interests in . Over his eight-year NFL tenure, Casey amassed 359 receptions for 5,444 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns, averaging 15.2 yards per catch, which underscored his role as a productive split end and flanker. His career highlights included leading the 49ers in receiving yards in 1962 (631 yards), 1963 (480 yards), and 1964 (673 yards), seasons in which he demonstrated versatility by also contributing as a halfback early on before transitioning fully to . Casey's most prolific year came in 1967 with the , when he recorded 53 receptions for 871 yards and eight touchdowns, earning him a selection to the for his performance. This outing highlighted his speed and route-running ability, as he ranked among the league's top receivers that season despite playing on a team that finished 11-1-2. Casey's reliability extended beyond raw numbers; he was praised for his toughness in an era of contact-heavy play, often drawing double coverage yet delivering in critical moments, such as his career-high 225-yard receiving game in a 1966 tie against the . His transition to retirement was motivated by a desire to pursue , , and full-time, marking a deliberate shift from athletics to creative endeavors at the peak of his physical capabilities.

Artistic career

Visual arts and painting

Bernie Casey developed his interest in during his college years at , where he pursued a in education alongside his athletic pursuits, graduating in 1961. Although initially drawn to before his professional football career, Casey continued as a self-directed practice through his NFL tenure, balancing it with his role as a for the and from 1961 to 1968. This parallel development allowed him to refine his skills independently, leading to his first formal exhibitions in the late after earning a Master of Fine Arts degree. Casey's painting style blended abstract and surreal elements, often featuring bold, vibrant colors to evoke emotional depth and narrative complexity. His works frequently depicted themes of African American identity, , and urban experiences, using figurative and non-representational forms to explore social and personal narratives. Notable examples include series-inspired pieces like "Center Space, Center Place" (1995), which captures communal spaces in abstract compositions, and earlier surreal explorations such as "Memory From Another Time, A" (), emphasizing harmony through circular motifs and rich palettes. Over his career, Casey mounted more than 40 solo exhibitions worldwide, beginning with two shows at the Ankrum Gallery in Los Angeles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and extending to venues in New York, Europe, and other international locations. His art gained prominence through displays at institutions like the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., and the Black Arts & Cultural Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where a 2010 exhibition titled "People That I Know" highlighted his figurative portraits. These shows often contextualized his contributions within broader African American artistic movements, showcasing his influence on representations of Black life and culture. Casey's paintings achieved significant recognition, with works entering permanent collections at the Museum of African American Art in , the Hirshhorn Museum, and the Beverly Hills Library. His pieces have sold at auction for prices ranging from several hundred to thousands of dollars, such as "Enter Place, Center Space" (c. 1975), which fetched $4,000 in 2022. In 2002, he received an honorary doctorate from the Savannah College of Art and Design for his impact on , underscoring his role in elevating artists during the civil rights and beyond.

Poetry and writing

Bernie Casey began writing poetry during his professional football career with the , using it as a means to explore personal and societal observations amid his athletic pursuits. His first published collection, Look at the People, appeared in 1969 through Doubleday and combined poems with his paintings, addressing themes of race, identity, and societal inequities, including anger over the historical mistreatment of . The work's introspective style emphasized individual human experiences, reflecting Casey's unique perspective as an athlete engaging with broader social issues. In the 1970s and 1980s, Casey continued his literary output with additional poetry collections that built on these themes of , personal reflection, and the African American experience, often blending with narrative elements to convey emotional depth. Notable subsequent works included My Point of View: Poems and Drawings (c. 1971, self-published), Where Is the Revolution? And Other Poems (1973, self-published), and Silent Screams (1983). These volumes, produced in limited editions, echoed motifs from his visual , such as vulnerability and cultural critique, while maintaining a focus on written expression. Casey's poetry received attention for its distinctive voice, bridging his identities as a former player and emerging artist, though his output remained limited in volume. Reviews and profiles praised the authenticity and raw insight in works like Look at the People, highlighting how his athletic background informed a fresh, unpretentious approach to themes of identity and revolution. Despite not achieving widespread commercial success, his contributions influenced discussions on multifaceted during the civil and beyond, establishing him as a figure in and arts.

Acting career

After retiring from the NFL in 1968 at the age of 29, Bernie Casey transitioned to an acting career, beginning with his film debut in Guns of the Magnificent Seven in 1969.

Film and television roles

Bernie Casey's acting career in film and television spanned over four decades, beginning with his screen debut as Cassie in the Western Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969), where he portrayed a former soldier recruited for a prison break mission. This role marked his transition from professional football to on-screen work, leveraging his athletic build for action-oriented parts. For his performance as basketball player Maurice Stokes in the biographical film Maurie (1973), Casey won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. Over his career, Casey amassed approximately 70 credits in film and television, frequently embodying authoritative figures such as coaches, military officers, and community leaders, while demonstrating versatility across genres including blaxploitation, comedy, and drama. In the 1980s, Casey gained prominence in comedic roles that highlighted his charismatic presence and physicality. He played U.N. Jefferson, the wise and imposing head of the fraternity, in the cult classic (1984), a film that satirized college rivalries and became a defining entry in '80s teen comedy. This was followed by his portrayal of the grizzled vigilante John Slade in the parody (1988), directed by and starring , where Casey delivered a humorous nod to his action-hero archetypes from earlier decades. He also appeared as the stern history Mr. Ryan in (1989), contributing to the film's time-travel comedy with his no-nonsense demeanor toward the protagonists' antics. On television, Casey's guest appearances showcased his range in dramatic and ensemble formats. He starred as the family patriarch Mike Harris in the short-lived NBC series Harris and Company (1979), depicting the challenges of a working-class African American relocating from Detroit to Los Angeles. In the miniseries Roots: The Next Generations (1979), he portrayed Bubba Haywood, a soldier facing racial injustice during World War I. Later, Casey guest-starred as the Maquis leader Commander Calvin Hudson in the two-part episode "The Maquis" of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1994), bringing depth to a character torn between loyalty and rebellion in the franchise's exploration of political conflict. Beyond acting, Casey ventured into directing with The Dinner (1997), an allegorical that he also wrote, produced, and starred in, addressing themes of race and through a tense family gathering. His body of work from the through the often drew on his real-life athletic background, allowing him to portray physically commanding yet introspective characters who bridged sports, society, and storytelling.

Personal life

Relationships and family

Bernie Casey was married to Paula Campbell during the 1960s, though the exact date of their union is not publicly documented; the marriage ended in divorce. The couple had no children. Casey maintained a low profile regarding his personal relationships, focusing public attention on his professional endeavors rather than family matters. He was survived by his sister, Frankie Murray.

Interests and activism

Beyond his professional pursuits, Bernie Casey maintained a deep commitment to , particularly in supporting and promoting African American artistic expression. In 1970, he co-founded the Contemporary Crafts Gallery in alongside artist and scholar Samella Lewis, establishing one of the earliest spaces dedicated to showcasing and publishing works by Black artists during the height of the . This initiative provided critical platforms for emerging talents and helped foster a vibrant community of African American creators. Casey's involvement extended to broader advocacy for Black artists, as evidenced by his participation in key cultural events. In 1969, he joined Lewis as a speaker for the Black Arts Council's inaugural program at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), drawing capacity crowds to discuss the significance of amid the civil rights era. Through such efforts in the and , Casey contributed to the movement's goals of cultural empowerment and visibility for Black creatives, often intersecting with broader themes. His work in these arenas underscored a lifelong dedication to mentoring and uplifting the next generation of artists and athletes from marginalized communities, though specific programs were not formally documented.

Death and legacy

Final years and death

In the final years of his life, following his last acting role in the 2007 film Vegas Vampires, Bernie Casey shifted his primary focus to his longstanding pursuits in and , producing works that explored themes of humanity, nature, and abstraction. His paintings, often characterized by vibrant colors and surreal compositions, continued to be exhibited, building on a that included over 40 solo shows and publications such as his 1969 collection Look at the People: Poems and Paintings. In 2017, Casey experienced a that led to his hospitalization. He passed away on September 19, 2017, at in from complications of the stroke, at the age of 78. His , Erin Connor, confirmed the death, noting it occurred after a brief illness. A close friend, Wren T. Brown, identified the as the underlying cause. Funeral arrangements were handled privately by the family.

Awards, honors, and tributes

Casey received the Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture in 1974 for his leading role as basketball player in the biographical film Maurie. In sports, Casey was posthumously inducted into Bowling Green State University's Cast of Honor in as part of a group honoring ten football players from the program's history, including members of the 1959 team on which he played as an All-American halfback. Although he achieved status during his NFL career with the and , Casey was never enshrined in the despite his pioneering role as a wide receiver who amassed over 5,000 receiving yards. Casey's artistic legacy has been celebrated through posthumous exhibitions of his paintings. In 2018, Bowling Green State University hosted "So Much More: Ohio's African American Artists," an exhibition honoring Casey's abstract and figurative works alongside those of other artists connected to the institution and the state. More recently, in 2024, Fridman Gallery in New York featured his 1975 painting Words and Sounds from Last Year's Party in the group exhibition "A Treatise on Color: Volumes I–IV," curated to explore through historical and contemporary lenses. His , published in collections such as Look at the People (1969), received literary recognition through inclusion in broader tributes to creative expression, though no standalone awards were documented. Casey's overall impact as a trailblazing figure who excelled in , , , and has inspired subsequent generations of multi-hyphenate artists and athletes, emphasizing versatility and cultural in entertainment and sports. He was awarded an honorary from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2002, where he served as chairman of the board of trustees for two decades, further affirming his influence in the arts.

Filmography

Film

Bernie Casey's film career spanned from 1969 to 2007, encompassing a variety of genres including Westerns, blaxploitation, action, comedy, and drama. His roles often highlighted strong, authoritative Black characters, contributing to diverse cinematic narratives.
YearTitleRole
1969Guns of the Magnificent SevenCassie
1970...tick...tick...tick...George Harley
1972Boxcar BerthaVon Morton
1972Hit ManTyrone "Hit Man" Tackett
1972Black GunnSeth
1973Cleopatra JonesReuben
1973MaurieMaurice Stokes
1974Three the Hard WayJ.T. Armstrong
1975Cornbread, Earl and MeMo
1976The Man Who Fell to EarthBrackett
1976Dr. Black, Mr. HydeDr. Pride
1978BrothersHibble
1979The GloveRawlins
1980The Man Who Wasn't ThereSam
1981Sharky's MachineHotchkins
1983Never Say Never AgainFelix Leiter
1984Revenge of the NerdsU.N. Jefferson
1985Spies Like UsColonel Rhumbus
1987Steele JusticeDet. Tom Reese
1988I'm Gonna Git You SuckaJohn Slade
1989Bill & Ted's Excellent AdventureMr. Ryan
1990Another 48 Hrs.Detective Frank Cruise
1991Chains of GoldSgt. J.T. Garner
1993The Cemetery ClubJohn Ash
1994The Glass ShieldLocket
1994In the Mouth of MadnessJackson
1995Once Upon a Time... When We Were ColoredMr. Walter
1996The Rich Man's WifeCaptain Graham
1997The DinnerGood Brother
2001TomcatsMr. MacDonald
2002On the EdgeAgent Miles
2006When I Find the OceanAmos Jackson
2007Vegas VampiresBloodhound Bill

Television

Bernie Casey made numerous television appearances spanning the 1960s to the 1990s, often in guest roles that highlighted his commanding presence and tic range. His credits include both episodic series work and made-for-TV films, with notable performances in science fiction, , and crime genres.

Series Roles

YearTitleRoleEpisode(s)
1972Billy"Timelock"
1977Police StoryOfficer Ward"The Six Foot Stretch"
1977Police StoryHamilton Ward / Duke WindsorVarious episodes
1979Harris and CompanyMultiple episodes (series lead)
1979: The Next GenerationsBubba HaywoodPart IV (and additional episodes)
1983–1984Ozzie Peoples8 episodes
1985Bernie"Method Actor"
1989Doc Evans"Three Strikes, You're Out"
1989Lieutenant Jack Dolan"To Live and Diet in L.A."
1994Commander Calvin Hudson"The Maquis, Part I" and "The Maquis, Part II"
1995Derek Cranston"Hunter, Prey"
1999Tyrus Block (voice)"Once Burned"

TV Movies

YearTitleRole
1971J. C. Caroline
1972GargoylesThe Gargoyle
Casey's television career transitioned from his earlier film roles, allowing him to explore diverse characters across genres.

References

  1. https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/bernie-casey-41
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/20/arts/bernie-casey-dead-actor-football.html
  3. https://bgsufalcons.com/honors/hall-of-fame/bernard-casey/26
  4. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CaseBe00.htm
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0143378/
  6. https://www.bgsu.edu/news/2017/09/bernie-casey-was-one-of-bgsus-most-accomplished-alumni.html
  7. https://www.nndb.com/people/490/000078256/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0143378/bio/
  9. https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/movies/2017/09/21/actor-was-east-high-graduate/18763914007/
  10. https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2019/7/18/turn-back-the-clock-bgsu-football-in-the-1960s.aspx
  11. https://bgsufalcons.com/honors/hall-of-fame/-football-team/224
  12. https://lib.bgsu.edu/bgnewsindex/search?q=BERNIE
  13. https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nfl/former-49ers-receiver-turned-actor-artist-dies/1260011/
  14. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/bernie-casey-dead-actor-nfl-910749/
  15. https://www.footballdb.com/players/bernie-casey-caseybe01
  16. https://ussporthistory.com/2016/03/07/pro-football-artists-of-the-1960s/
  17. https://www.invaluable.com/artist/casey-bernie-cmqzjf9soi/sold-at-auction-prices/
  18. https://bgindependentmedia.org/bgsu-art-exhibit-celebrates-legacy-of-bernie-casey-other-african-american-artists/
  19. https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/2010/06/former_actor_athlete_realized.html
  20. https://bid.blackartauction.com/lots/view/4-AUQW44
  21. https://vault.si.com/vault/1969/12/15/poet-painter-and-wide-receiver-the-rams-bernie-casey-sees-people-one-at-a-time
  22. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/bernie-casey
  23. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2017/09/20/bernie-casey-pro-football-player-turned-actor-painter-dies-at-78/
  24. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/17571/guns-of-the-magnificent-seven
  25. https://www.filmbobbery.com/2020/11/23/guns-of-the-magnificent-seven-1969-%25E2%2598%2586-%25E2%2598%2586-1-2/
  26. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10939-bernie-casey?language=en-US
  27. https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/biography-bernie-casey?id=4310
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088000/characters/nm0143378/
  29. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bernie-casey-who-helped-save-the-nerds-from-the-jocks-was-actually-an-nfl-star/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095348/characters/nm0143378/
  31. https://www.okayplayer.com/im-gonna-git-you-sucka-star-bernie-casey-dies-at-the-age-of-78/345609
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096928/characters/nm0143378/
  33. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bill_and_teds_excellent_adventure/cast-and-crew
  34. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/casey-bernie-1939
  35. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/bernie-casey-football-star-turned-actor-dies-at-78/2017/09/23/99e0c748-9fe2-11e7-8ea1-ed975285475e_story.html
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078678/fullcredits/
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708629/characters/nm0143378/
  38. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/bernie-casey/umc.cpc.5wk5eyhtivk7bydk5a5867uh1
  39. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/bernie-casey
  40. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/bernie_casey
  41. https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/samella-lewis-dead-who-was-african-american-art-historian-1234630302/
  42. https://www.artforum.com/news/samella-lewis-1923-2022-251862/
  43. https://www.lacma.org/two-centuries-black-american-art-lacma-whos-who
  44. https://www.allarts.org/programs/artbound/black-art-a-brockman-gallery-legacy-chl1od/
  45. https://www.artsy.net/artist/bernie-casey
  46. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000345/1974/1/
  47. https://www.bgsu.edu/rollalong-magazine/winter-2019-20/an-honored-cast.html
  48. https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2019/9/13/general-bgsu-athletics-to-induct-ten-football-players-into-cast-of-honor
  49. https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/school-of-art/galleries/past-exhibitions1/fall-2018.html
  50. https://fridmangallery.com/2025/09/26/4329/
  51. https://www.scad.edu/academics/beyond-classroom/scad-luminaries
  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070377/
  53. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126869/
  54. https://variety.com/2017/film/news/bernie-casey-dead-dies-revenge-of-the-nerds-nfl-1202564999/
  55. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0711597/
  56. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0676367/
  57. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078621/
  58. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877194/
  59. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084982/characters/nm0143378/
  60. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0508402/
  61. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0653673/characters/nm0143378/
  62. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0624150/characters/nm0143378/
  63. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708629/
  64. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517655/
  65. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Batman-Beyond/Tyrus-Block/
  66. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068315/characters/nm0143378/
  67. https://americanfootball.fandom.com/wiki/Bernie_Casey
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