Lou Perryman, 67, stabbed to death

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Famed Texas actor, Lou Perryman, was found dead in his home on Thursday, the victim of an apparent homicide.

He was 67.

Police have Seth Tatum, 26, in custody and plan to file capital murder charges against him in connection with his death. Authorities are calling it a random attack, and say they do not believe the two men knew each other. 

They say Tatum attacked his stepfather, Carl Drake, with gardening shears at their home around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

"We believe that shortly after, he went to the address on Darvonne (where Perryman was later found), and we don’t know what transpired," said Austin police Officer Veneza Aguinaga. "But we think that Perryman was killed sometime shortly after that aggravated assault."

Police say Tatum stole the actor's car and drove off. It wasn't until the next day, Thursday, that Tatum turned himself in at the courthouse, telling authorities that the car he was driving was stolen and that he may have killed the car's owner.

"[Tatum] said, 'That's a stolen car,' and I'm pretty sure that I killed the owner of that car," said Austin Police Detective Jose Chacon.

Perryman was found dead at his home a short while later.

Tatum has a history of mental issues and assaults, court records say.

In November 2005, Tatum robbed Drake by hitting him over the head with a frying pan before stealing his wallet while the man was unconscious, according to court papers.

He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2006, and appears to have been released about one month ago.

Austin Police Officer Shawn Lapuszynski said Tatum just recently returned from a three week stay in Oklahoma and had been in Austin for about three days.

He said Tatum attacked his stepfather and left him with a broken skull and lacerations.

Perryman's Legacy

Among Perryman's most famous films were "The Whole Shooting Match," "Poltergeist" and "The Blues Brothers."

Perryman's longtime friend, Wayne Bell, described the death as "...a heartbreaking loss."

"You can see it in the 'Whole Shooting Match' and a few other films that he did something wonderful," said Bell. "We'll always be the better for it."

"Lou Perryman was a special Austin character, an original Austin character," said Bell.

Perryman's Facebook page filled with comments from family and friends Friday.

"This is Lou's daughter, Jennifer," said the comment at 9:56 a.m. on Friday. "My Dad died on Wednesday, April 1. He was a wonderful man and was so happy to have you all in his life. He was blessed."

Other quotes from Perryman's Facebook page were:

• "I'll miss you, Lou. Thank you for being a part of my life, i never dreamed i'd be friends with one of my favorite actors. I will pay tribute to you with every opportunity."
• "This is tragic beyond words. He will be missed. Godspeed good sir."
• "RIP Lou and condolences to his friends and family. Such a tragedy."
• "My deepest prayers for you and your family. Your father was a funny man and will be missed by all."
• "Like a lot of people, I was just back in touch with him via Facebook -- and after he tracked me down when he re-discovered an old e-mail praising his performance in BOYS DON'T CRY. And this so soon after the re-release of THE WHOLE SHOOTIN' MATCH. I'm happy he got to see that, but I'm stunned by this. He had a thirst for life; that's more than you can say about most of us."

The Austin Film Society stated: "We are very sad about this loss to the Austin film community. The film society extends their heartfelt sympathy to the family."

Below is his biography from IMDB:

Excellent and engaging Texas-born character actor Lou Perryman will probably never become a household name, but he's still nonetheless proved to be a substantial and delightful asset to the handful of movies he's appeared in throughout the years. Perryman first became involved in the film business back in 1961 while on leave from the US Army.

After getting out of the Army, Lou in 1968 worked as a production manager at the Texas Pavilion at the World's Fair in San Antonio and worked as a cinematographer, sound man and production manager at the Filmhouse in Austin from 1969 to 1971. In addition, Perryman worked as a sports cinematographer for both NCAA and ABC TV from 1969 to 1977. Lou was outstanding as Claude in the wonderful seriocomic indie sleeper gem "Last Night at the Alamo" (1984). Alternately funny and pitiable, Perryman as the despondent and excitable Claude spends a sizable amount of his screen time angrily (and profanely) berating his estranged wife on the phone while making game, albeit futile attempts at reconciling with her.

Perryman brings a lovely, touching pathos and rueful, rumpled dignity to the role of Claude that's a true joy to behold. Lou was likewise memorable and personable as affable radio station engineer L.G. McPeters in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2" (1986). (Perryman worked behind the scenes on the classic '74 original as an assistant cameraman.)

Moreover, Perryman had nice small parts as a hostile redneck bar patron in "The Blues Brothers" (1980), a construction worker in "Poltergeist" (1982), and the sheriff Hilary Swank relates in flashback what happened to her to in the acclaimed award-winning indie hit "Boys Don't Cry" (1999). Among the plays Lou has appeared in are "The Time of Your Life," "Fool for Love," and the especially well-received "In the West" (Perryman also co-wrote this latter play). He's also acted under the alternate names of Lou Perry and Louis Perryman.

Below is a clip from " The Whole Shootin' Match":

 

Jay Reel and Ray Boucher run the TX DEADPIT Chapter had the chance to represent 'Da Pit at TX Fear Fest 2' in Dallas, Texas. They interviewed Lou Perryman in 2008, who you may remember as the beloved LG character in " Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2." Below is the interview: