The Challenging Life of Former Walt Disney Star Jan Michael Vincent: 5 Years After His Tragic Death

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Overview

Actor Jan Michael Vincent became a Walt Disney movie star on the big screen in films like The World's Greatest Athlete. He also found fame in the acclaimed TV-movie Tribes, and in the television adventure series Airwolf.

Sadly, the charismatic actor died of a heart attack on February 10, 2019 at only 73; a relatively young age in the modern world. For the last few years of his life, Vincent was sidelined by several personal challenges and health challenges. It was sad decline from the success he once enjoyed.

A Closer Look

In the 1960s, Jan-Michael Vincent was just commencing his career. He held promise following early small roles and guest appearances on TV shows like Dragnet, Lassie, and popular westerns like Bonanza and Gunsmoke.

In the 1970s, Vincent graduated to more sophisticated and prominent performances in TV-movies such as Tribes and in Walt Disney family movies like The World's Greatest Athlete, as well as edgier films including Buster and Billie, and White Line Fever.

In the 1980s, Vincent held a helicopter pilot license back, and experienced a comeback of sorts and became best known for portraying Stringfellow Hawke in the Airwolf TV series.

However, in 1996, the actor suffered permanent damage to his voice after a near-fatal automoble that resulted in a broken neck. Paramedics had to insert a tube down his throat and the tube damaged one of his vocal cords.

Vincent was later involved in a second car accident. Then, in 2012, he had to have the lower half of his right leg amputated due to an infection he contracted due to complications from peripheral artery disease.

After that, the actor wore a prosthetic right foot and periodically utitlized a wheelchair for mobility.

Issues with Alcohol

Jan Michael Vincent's faultered career was partially due to alcoholism, which began seriously impact on performance on the Airwolf TV series.

In later projects Vincent would appear on set fully inebriated, unaware of the scene being filmed and unable to remember his dialogue.

Event though the handsome actor made additional small screen appearances ion TV-movies like Alienator and Deadly Heroes, his issues with substance abuse and self-destructive behavior increased.

Conclusion

Jan Michael Vincent experienced a trgic ending to what had been an already tragic life that once held so much potential.

Unfortunately, as is the case with many talented creative individuals in Hollywood, or with those in any vocation or area of business where significant amounts of fortune and fame may be attained, Jan Michael Vincent learned a hard lesson: all that glitters does not always translate into gold.