Paul Le Mat (born September 22, 1945) is an American actor. He first came to prominence with his role in American Graffiti (1973); his performance was met with critical acclaim and earned him the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor.
Le Mat's breakout performance in George Lucas's American Graffiti landed him the lead role in box office hit Aloha, Bobby and Rose (1975). He also is known for his work in the Jonathan Demme films Handle with Care (1977) and Melvin and Howard (1980). He won another Golden Globe award for his performance in the TV film The Burning Bed (1984) and starred in the cult film Puppet Master (1989), which spawned a franchise.
Early life and education Le Mat was born to Matthew (1914–1963) and Elizabeth LeMat (1917–2016). He graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1963, and attended San Diego City College, Cypress Junior College, Chapman College, and eventually received an Associate of Arts degree from Los Angeles Valley College. Le Mat served in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Navy.
Career Le Mat starred in the pilot episode of Firehouse in 1973. In the same year, he appeared in American Graffiti, a coming-of-age film about a group of friends in Modesto, California in 1962. He played John Milner - a role that would earn him his first Golden Globe Award. Le Mat also starred in Floyd Mutrux's hit 1975 crime spree film Aloha, Bobby and Rose.
In 1977, he starred in Jonathan Demme's acclaimed comedy Citizens Band, later re-titled Handle with Care. Le Mat would reunite with Demme for 1980's Melvin and Howard, in which he played the title role of Melvin Dummar. The film was based upon the true story of a gas station attendant who claimed to be an heir of eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, and it won two Academy Awards. Le Mat was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. In 1979, Le Mat reprised his role of John Milner in More American Graffiti.
In 1982, Le Mat played the character John Dortmunder in Jimmy the Kid, opposite Gary Coleman in the role of Jimmy. He also provided the voice of Omar in the American release of the animated film Rock & Rule. Le Mat starred in the 1985 made-for-TV movie The Burning Bed with Farrah Fawcett. The film was based on the true story of an abusive husband who drives his wife to drastic measures with his aggressive ways. Le Mat was awarded the second Golden Globe Award of his career for his role in the film. He starred in other television films such as The Night They Saved Christmas, Into the Homeland and Secret Witness. He appeared in the TV miniseries On Wings of Eagles and in the film Puppet Master.
In the 1990s, Le Mat worked on independent films and TV movies. He played Josiah Peale in Lonesome Dove: The Series and in the follow-up Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years. He had a small role in the 1998 film American History X. In the 2000s, Le Mat starred in the 2004 film Stateside.
Personal life Le Mat married Suzanne de Passe in 1978. Le Mat and de Passe have since divorced.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1973FirehouseBilly DalzellTV series; episode "Pilot"1973American GraffitiJohn MilnerGolden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actor1975Aloha, Bobby and RoseBobby1977Handle with Care (aka Citizen's Band)Spider1979More American GraffitiJohn Milner1980Melvin and HowardMelvin DummarNominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy1982Death ValleyMike1982The Gift of LifeDwayne SuttonTelevision film1982Jimmy the KidJohn Dortmunder1983Rock & RuleOmarVoice role, American dub1983Strange InvadersCharles Bigelow1984The Burning BedMickey HughesTelevision filmGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film1984The Night They Saved ChristmasMichael BaldwinTelevision film1986On Wings of EaglesJay CoburnTV mini-series1986Long Time GoneNick SanduskyTelevision film1987P.K. and the KidKid Kane1987Deadly NightmaresJake PurlyTV series; episode "Doctor's Orders"1987The Hanoi HiltonEarl Hubman1987P.I. Private InvestigationsDetective Wexler1987Into the HomelandDerrick WinstonTelevision film1988Murder, She WroteCarl Mattson / Luke PurdueTV series; episode "Showdown in Saskatchewan"1988Secret WitnessKurtTelevision film1988The Twilight ZoneTom BennettTV series; episode "Appointment on Route 17"1989Easy WheelsBruce1989Puppet MasterAlex Whitaker1989Grave SecretsDavid Shaw1989Veiled ThreatJack Purcell1989Blind WitnessDetective Mike TuthillTelevision film1992The Ray Bradbury TheaterCharlieTV series; episode "The Jar"1992In the Line of Duty: Siege at MarionDoug BodreroTelevision film1992Woman with a PastMerleTelevision film1992WishmanBasie1992Deuce CoupeSheriff1994Caroline at MidnightEmmet1994SensationMitch Snyder1995Deep DownRay1995Grace Under FireThe StrangerTV series; episode "Memphis Bound"1994–1995Lonesome Dove: The SeriesJosiah PealeTV series; 16 episodes1995–1996Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw YearsJosiah PealeTV series; 14 episodes1998American History XMcMahon1999The OutfittersRobby2000Beyond Belief: Fact or FictionSheldon LudovicTV series; episode "Eclipse"2001Big Bad LoveMonroe2004StatesideDori's Internist2004The Long ShotGuido LevitsTelevision film2009Chrome AngelsElliot
References
External links