Richard D. Lineback is an American actor. He has performed in character roles in such blockbuster films as Speed, Twister and Varsity Blues. He played Deputy Dodd in '. Lineback has appeared in many roles on the stage, with leads that include Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath, C.C. Showers in The Diviners, for which he won the Drama-Logue Award for Outstanding Actor, and the title role in Mister Roberts. He has also made numerous guest appearances for television, including Romas in ', Selin Peers in ' and Kessick in '. He also appeared as Rev. Vernon Canty in two episodes of JAG.
Early life
Lineback was born in Frankfurt, Germany, the son of American parents Carl Mayo Lineback and Dorothy Anne Darnall. His siblings are Robert B. Lineback and Carol A. Lineback. His father was a physician and an officer in the U.S. Army assigned to the 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt. When he retired from active military service in 1965, Dr. Lineback relocated with his family to Austin, Texas, where he established a private practice. Richard Lineback graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Austin, Texas in 1970, where he appeared in several student theatrical productions. After attending the University of Texas at Austin., he moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue an acting career.
Career
In 1975, Lineback joined the Colony Theatre Company in Burbank, and was in the cast of the playThe Grass Harp. He appeared in many stage roles, including those of Eugene Gant in Look Homeward, Angel; Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath; C.C. Showers in The Diviners, for which he won the Drama-Logue Award for Outstanding Actor; Dan White in Execution of Justice; and the title role in Mister Roberts. His film debut was the role of Steve Estes in the biopic/drama Joni, the story of Joni Eareckson. He played Larry in the western/drama Hard Country with Jan-Michael Vincent and Kim Basinger; then played Deputy Dodd in the slasher/horror film '. His many television guest appearances include episodes of The Love Boat, M*A*S*H, The Waltons, Crazy Like a Fox, T. J. Hooker, Knight Rider, Matlock, ', Hunter, China Beach, Dallas, ', NYPD Blue, Touched by an Angel, ' and JAG. He also played Billy in the Incident In a Small Jail segment of the television filmAlfred Hitchcock Presents, and played scheming businessman Wally Butler in the 1986 TV film Return to Mayberry. Lineback appeared as Al LeFauve in the world premiere stage production of Baby Dance, co-starring Linda Purl and Stephanie Zimbalist, at the Pasadena Playhouse, and was nominated for the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his performance. He later reprised the role at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts, and the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. In the film Natural Born Killers, Lineback's character, Sonny, was the first redneck to be shot to death by the murderous couple Mickey Knox and Mallory Knox. In Twister, his character, Mr. Thornton, was the victim of a raging tornado. He played a FBIspecial agent, McMurphy, in the crime/thriller The Jackal with Bruce Willis, Richard Gere and Sidney Poitier. Lineback recreated his performance as Al LeFauve for the Showtime film The Baby Dance co-starring Stockard Channing and Laura Dern. He played the innkeeper in the horror filmThe Ring featuring Naomi Watts and Martin Henderson. Lineback resides in Los Angeles.
