After 25 years as a soap, film and TV guest spot actor, Hindman struck gold when he hid most of his face behind a fence for 8 years as Tim Allen's kindly neighbor Wilson Wilson Jr. on the hit ABC sitcom HOME IMPROVEMENT.



Tim Allen and the top of Earl

http://youtu.be/SP8b2H77uqg HOME IMPROVEMENT ''Wilson, what are you doing?''
Hindman was a masterful set up man.


Before HI, Hindman played many a bad ass on film 



Hindman was born on October 20th, 1942 in Bisbee, Arizona. A longtime smoker, Hindman died from lung cancer on December 29th, 2003. He was 61.



''See, I have a face''


Long before his deep voice, expressive eyes and perfect height to look over a fence snared him the role of Wilson, Hindman had played Lt. Bob Reid in over 400 episodes of the soap opera RYAN'S HOPE from 1975 to 1989. That's what I remember him from as a child. His character was a nice guy cop who never got the girl.




With Kate Mulgrew and Daniel Hugh Kelly in RH

http://youtu.be/Rnf2q_2Cnsw Earl also wanted Kate Mulgrew but only had her in his dreams




Hindman also played memorable villains in the 1970's gems THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 (as the stuttering Mr. ''Brown'' aka George Steever, part of the hijack team) and THE PARALLAX VIEW (Deputy Red, who has a helluva bar fight with Warren Beatty).



Earl Hindman is Brown, Robert Shaw is Blue, Martin Balsam is Green and Hector Elizondo is Grey in the crackling good crime thriller PELHAM 123


http://youtu.be/21ybVGDO6ro Earl's death scene from PELHAM 123




Hindman hassling Warren Beatty in THE PARALLAX VIEW

http://youtu.be/2RQNDXuAIJI THE PARALLAX VIEW ''don't touch me unless you love me''



Hindman's other big screen credits include: THE BRINK'S JOB, GREASED LIGHTNING, SILVERADO, 3 MEN AND A BABY, WHO KILLED MARY WHATS'ERNAME?, SHOOT IT BLACK, SHOOT IT BLUE, TAPS, several voices in TALK RADIO, THE BALLAD OF THE SAD CAFE, FIRES WITHIN and FINAL.


With Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn and family in SILVERADO


Interrogating Peter Falk in THE BRINK'S JOB  

In the late 1960's he appeared in such cheapies as TEENAGE MOTHER and THE KISS OF HER FLESH under the name Leo Heinz.

His other TV credits included: YOU ARE THERE (as explorer Meriwether Lewis), NURSE, KEY WEST, PUEBLO, MURDER IN COWETA COUNTY, THE LEATHERSTOCKING TALES, ONE POLICE PLAZA, SPENSER: FOR HIRE, a recurring role on THE EQUALIZER, WAR AND REMEMBRANCE, 
DEADLINE, LAW & ORDER, HERCULES, STAY THE NIGHT, RISING SON, 2 KOJAK TV films, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT and more.



One of Hindman's best roles was opposite Johnny Cash in MURDER IN COWETA COUNTY

http://youtu.be/_UAU3MMacwg MURDER IN COWETA COUNTY



Hindman also performed in the legit theater. His Broadway Credits include THE LOVE SUICIDE AT SCHOFIELD BARRACKS and THE LINCOLN MASK.
He also played the title role in the Theatre for New Audiences 2003 production of JULIUS CAESAR.



With Graham Winton in JULIUS CAESAR





The HOME IMPROVEMENT cast at The People's Choice Awards sometime in the early 1990's



Did you know...?

His widow is actress (RYAN'S HOPE) turned Episcopal priest, Molly McGreevey.

He lent his voice to Home Depot Home Improvement commercials.

                                                                                    
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