Jon Voight is one of the most iconic actors of all time. His performances in films like Rosewood, U Turn, and Anaconda have made him a household name. Although these are the most well known, he has been involved in many other films.
Early roles
During his early film and television career, Jon Voight made some very memorable roles. He was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “Coming Home,” and also starred in the movie “Mission: Impossible” and “The Rainmaker,” both of which were huge box office hits.
Jon Voight is also known for his role as Dustin Hoffman’s friend, Joe Buck, in the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy. The film explored the late 1960s in New York, and was released with an X rating.
Jon Voight also starred in the film Catch-22, based on the 1961 satirical novel by Joseph Heller. This movie was a critical success, and introduced Voight to a new audience.
In addition to his film roles, Voight has worked on several television shows, including the N.Y.P.D., The Defenders, and Naked City. He also wrote and starred in the thriller, Lookin’ to Get Out.
After a period of time when Voight was not working, he returned to the big screen with the crime drama, Heat. His next film was the action-packed “Mission: Impossible” in 1996. A sequel, called “Mission: Impossible II” was released the following year.
He was nominated for a “Razzie Award” in 1997. He also received an Academy Award nomination for his work in the movie “Midnight Cowboy.”
Jon Voight began his acting career in 1963, when he appeared in an episode of the western series, “Cimarron Strip.” Upon graduating from Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY, he enrolled at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York. From there, he began to appear in small roles on television and in theatre.
Runaway Train
In Runaway Train, Jon Voight stars as a hardened criminal, a man who is out of control. His mission is to escape a maximum security prison in Alaska. But, after two attempts, he is put in solitary confinement for three years.
In this remake of the 1970 film Blobbo, a convict named Buck (played by Roberts) recruits another stowaway named Manny (Voight) to help him escape. Their plan is to stowaway aboard a train, and then use it as a vehicle for their escape.
After escaping from the Stonehaven Maximum Security Prison in Alaska, they find themselves in a remote train station. However, the train is out of control. They need to find a way to stop it before it crashes.
During the runaway, the lead locomotive cab is damaged. The train’s brake shoes are also burned. It is only five minutes away from a collision with a passenger train. If the train does not crash, a chemical explosion will be inevitable.
Runaway Train has a strong sense of scale and a relentless action style. There are also a lot of sensational stunts, and Jon Voight plays his role with conviction.
While the action is thrilling, there are also several cliches. The stowaway is pointless.
Rosewood
Rosewood is a historical drama film based on the 1923 massacre in the town of Rosewood, Florida. It is set in the twilight of the 20th century, during a time of racial tension. The story is told through the eyes of three characters – a black man, a white man, and a lone white woman.
The most obvious protagonist is a white shop owner named John Wright, who runs a general store in Rosewood. He also serves as the head of the only white household. This leads to suspicions among the black community, which is understandable considering the history of racial tensions.
Meanwhile, a young, married woman (played by Fannie Taylor) has a romantic relationship with a mystery black man. Her husband (played by James Taylor) is forced to intervene, and the couple are soon in hot water.
When a posse of armed white men storms into Rosewood, the small black town is quickly decimated. More than forty people were killed in the four-day event, and many more were hung from tree branches.
A few years later, John’s son, Sylvester, and cousin Beulah Carrier seek to settle the score. Luckily, some of the town’s decent white men come to their aid.
Anaconda
A few years after his Oscar winning turn in The Devil’s Advocate, actor Jon Voight starred in a film that was a little bit more modest. He played a fictional Paraguayan snake hunter named Serone. But it was not the most original of performances.
For one thing, the movie was a re-tread of the same formula. It was directed by Luis Llosa, who helmed the equally dated Anaconda. And the cast consists of stock characters.
However, it does have one of the movie’s most famous scenes. John Voight’s character is a mercenary in the jungle. His character is coded as the “mirror” of the deadly anaconda. As such, his performance can be read as a xenophobic homage to the snake.
The film also boasts an impressively large production budget. While this may have been necessary, it was not necessarily a wise choice. Even though the film gathered more than three times its budget, it was still not the kind of blockbuster that Hollywood was looking for at the time.
One thing that the film did right is the use of CGI. The film is a good example of how the medium can make a movie less realistic.
Paul Sarone
Paul Sarone is a former priest from Paraguay. He is a snake hunter who is set down on a broken down boat. However, he is determined to capture a giant anaconda. But no one can handle him.
Voight gives an irresistible performance as Paul Sarone. Although he is a white man with a German-Slovak descent, he has a goofy, inauthentic accent.
The film is based on James Dickey’s novel, Deliverance. Jon Voight co-wrote the script. It was directed by John Boorman.
Paul Sarone is a snake hunter who has a plan to capture a huge anaconda. He is aided by his partner, Mateo. They have to overcome their differences in order to successfully complete the mission. Despite his inhumanity, Sarone is determined to stop at nothing.
As a crew prepares to go out onto the water, a violent storm breaks. One of the crew members is stranded on the boat. Another member of the crew has an idea to sabotage the propeller. This leads to a chain of events that will change their lives forever.
In addition to his acting, Voight also wrote the script. There are some bizarre moments in the movie, such as a scene where he oozes slime before swallowing a snake. You should watch it on DVD.
U Turn
Oliver Stone’s U Turn is a modern-western neo-noir crime thriller that features a great number of actors. The movie features a cast of actors that includes Claire Danes, Nick Nolte, Powers Boothe, and Jennifer Lopez. Although the film is not perfect, it’s a definite must-see.
U-Turn is a clever film that tells a story through imagery. One of the nifty things that Voight does is make use of the camera to show viewers the town of Superior. Located in the desert, the town is a real one that the movie reveals.
Several years after his initial appearances in films, Jon Voight made a comeback in the 1990s. In 1997, he was seen in six films including Glory Road, Lookin’ to Get Out, and U Turn. He was also seen as a Nazi officer in the film Uprising in 2001.
During his career, Jon Voight has appeared in many biographical movies and television series. He also appeared in a number of other films such as Mission: Impossible and Transformers. As with his earlier films, he has been nominated for an Academy Award.
“U-Turn” is a tour de force of filmmaking. It is one of the best movies of the year, and is a must-see for fans of Oliver Stone.
Ray Donovan
If you’ve ever seen the “Ray Donovan” television show, then you know that it is a great show. It features a brilliant cast, a strong supporting cast, and some outstanding writing. In the first few seasons of the show, Ray Donovan was one of the most riveting shows on television. However, as the seasons progress, the show seems to lose its fire.
Jon Voight plays Mickey Donovan in the show. The character of Mickey is not perfect. He is the leader of the Donovan family, but he isn’t perfect.
But Jon Voight makes the character fun, and he keeps him in the action. Mickey’s body language is very similar to that of his father.
Throughout the show, Ray Donovan’s past continues to haunt him. He wants to get to know his father. His father, Mickey, is recently released from prison, and he wants to reconnect with his family.
During the first few episodes of the season, there are some conflict between Ray and his father. The two men have an Oedipal confrontation in later episodes.
The cast is fantastic, and the show is filled with great directing and strong writing. This series will make you fall in love with its characters.