Claude Akins, a craggy-faced hard guy who appeared in such movies as "From Here to Eternity," "The Caine Mutiny," "The Devil's Brigade" and "Battle for the Planet of the Apes," died Thursday of cancer. He was 75.
Akins' agent Rick Hersh said the actor died at home, surrounded by his family.In addition to dozens of movies in which he played a variety of heavies, cops, soldiers and cowboys, Akins appeared in sev
eral TV shows, playing the title role in "The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo" in his most recent series from 1979-81. His deep voice was widely heard on commercials for a U.S. transmission company.
Born in Nelson, Ga., he was raised in Bedford, Ind., where his father was a stonecutter and later a policeman. Akins attended Northwestern University in Chicago.
A strapping 6-foot, 2-inch, 200-pounder in his heyday, he was an avid golfer, co-hosting the first major tournament of the Senior PGA.