Bernie Casey

Bernie Casey was an actor and professional football player best known for appearing in the films Boxcar Bertha, Never Say Never Again, Brothers, Revenge of the Nerds and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Additionally, he had roles on the television shows The Streets of San Francisco, Police Story, Bay City Blues, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, L.A. Law, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Babylon 5, Batman Beyond and Girlfriends, as well as the 1971 ABC telefilm Brian’s Song.

In addition to starring in Cleopatra Jones and several other blaxploitation movies of the 1970s, Caseywrote, directed, starred in and produced The Dinner, a 1997 film centering on three black men who discuss slavery, black self-loathing and homophobia.

The 6-foot-4 athlete spent six seasons as a receiver with the San Francisco 49ers, from 1961 to 1966. He then spent two years with the Los Angeles Rams before retiring in his prime before the 1969 season, finishing his pro career with 359 catches for 5,444 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Casey retired in part to pursue his artistic interests, and went on to become a published poet as well as a painter whose work was exhibited in galleries around the world.

He died September 19, 2017, in Los Angeles. He was 78.