By Brynna Williamson
Google the name “Noble Willingham,” and you’ll be faced with lots and lots of results.
“1990: Mineola native Noble Willingham has a starring role in the samurai action film, Blind Fury.“
“1979: Mineola native Noble Willingham appears in Norma Rae, starring Sally Field in an Oscar-winning performance as a defiant laborer.”
“1977: Mineola native Noble Willingham appears in Greased Lightning, starring Richard Pryor and Beau Bridges.”
“1975: Mineola native Noble Willingham has a starring role in the movie Aloha, Bobby and Rose.“
Look into his other roles, and you’ll find names you’ll definitely recognize. Chuck Norris. Robin Williams. Billy Crystal. Val Kilmer. Jim Carrey, Jeff Goldblum, Sally Field, Richard Pryor, Scott Bakula, Tim Allen, Angela Lansbury. And the list goes on.
And what do they all have in common? They all worked with Noble Willingham, a face many know with a name very few do.
A Native Son of Mineola
Willingham—who was a Mineola native—is as Texan in personality and role as bull riding and bluebonnets. His fantastic acting career spanned 33 years and more than 130 television roles, which is nearly as many as the great John Wayne.
For instance, Noble Willingham is best known for having starred in the beloved Walker, Texas Ranger as “C.D. Parker.” He also had roles in such notable films and TV shows as Star Trek: The Next Generation; Good Morning, Vietnam; Ace Ventura, Pet Detective; and Quantum Leap; among others.
Willingham wasn’t born into fame or wealth. In fact, he was born to a railroad worker in small-town Mineola, Texas and went on to later work in the oilfield. He eventually received his master’s degree in psychology from Baylor University and went on to teach government and economics in Houston. He also served in the military during the Korean War.
A man of many occupations, no?
However, these several different jobs were not fulfilling enough for Willingham, who had a dream of becoming an actor. It was in 1971, when Peter Bogdanovich came to Texas to cast for The Last Picture Show, that Noble’s dream became a reality. His role in that movie was the first “domino” of many, and soon Willingham was appearing in television and movies across all genres. In fact, just in the 1970s alone, Noble Willingham appeared in more than 40 movies and TV shows.
Blending Acting with Politics
The years leading up to the turn of the century were notable ones for Noble. In 1998, he was the Lone Star Film & Television Award winner of the “Best TV Supporting Actor” award for his role on Walker, Texas Ranger. In 1999, he was the winner of the Method Fest’s “Best Actor in a Feature Film” award for his role in The Corndog Man. In 2000, he was the nominee for Film Independent Spirit Award’s “Best Male Lead,” also for his role in The Corndog Man.
In 2000, Willingham made a huge career choice. He left his role on Walker, Texas Ranger to pursue another avenue, one trod by several actors before him: he ran for office. Noble’s bid for office in the U.S. House of Representatives, however, was not fated to be, as he lost in a “landslide” to Democratic then-incumbent Max Sandlin.
However, on the night of the election, Willingham responded to news of his impending defeat with typical East Texas moxie. “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings, and she’s not singing as soon as a lot of people thought she would,” he’s recorded as saying.
If that “ain’t” the most fun East Texas quote you’ve heard today, you didn’t read it right!
Leaving a Noble History Behind
His defeat in the representative election didn’t stop Willingham for long, as he returned to acting within a few years.
Noble Willingham was someone who seemed to live up to his name. From his many, many roles to his campaign for office to his service in the military, Willingham wore his East Texas heritage on his sleeve and reminded the public just how good it can be to be Texan.
In 2004, Willingham passed away in his sleep in Palm Springs at the age of 72. He is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in California.
“Noble.” What a name. And what a guy.