Bernie Casey, Footballer Turned Actor-Poet is Dead at 78!

Actor Bernie Casey whose film credits include Boxxar Bertha, Revenge of the Nerds, Never Say Never Again, Brothers and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, has died, at the age of 78. Before becoming an actor Casey was a standout NFL player. 

Bernie Casey died on Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA where he was admitted after a brief illness,  according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

 

Casey wrote, starred in and directed The Dinner, a 1997 movie revolving around three black men who sit around the dinner table discussing slavery, h 0phobia and black self-loathing. 

Apart from being an actor/director and screenplay writer, Casey was also a published poet and a painter. His works were exhibited in galleries around the globe. Talking about Casey's paintings Maya Angelou had said the following in 2003:

I cannot see what Bernie Casey sees. Casey has the heart and the art to put his insight on canvas, and I am heartened by his action. For then I can comprehend his vision and some of my own. His art makes my road less rocky, and my path less crooked.

Bernard Casey was born in Wyco, W.Va on June 8, 1939.  He was brought up in Columbus, Ohio.