I’ve been close pals with actor Sonny Landham for more than 30 years…
We met in acting classes in L.A. in 1982. My partner in crime Don Woodbeck was still alive and we all hung out. Sonny introduced me to actors Mickey Rourke and Gary Busey and we all did the scene. After I was released from prison in 1988 Sonny was the first to welcome me back to LA and showbiz. He took me to the Academy Awards that year. We worked out together and were best friends. He always had me on his movie sets when he was working in movies like “Lock-Up” with Sylvester Stallone.
He became both a friend and a big brother.
Unfortunately, this past Wednesday Sonny – now living in Louisville,Ky. – was in a bad car wreck. It was raining and his car slid into a pole, was totaled the car and Sonny’s right leg had to be amputated. He called me when he woke up from the surgery.
Of course I’m devastated by the news.
I’d visited Sonny in Kentucky a few times and I was best man at his wedding some years back.
Sonny was a fixture here in Kansas City in the 1990’s. He was often at Stanford’s with Mickey Rourke or members of the Chiefs. He was very close to my family and even spoke for my dad Stan when he ran for mayor.
Sonny’s a big guy, but soft hearted. He’s best known for his co starring roles in “48 Hours” with Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte and “Predator” with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sonny made a long list of other pictures and television shows. And he was kind enough to let me co star in an action movie he shot in Canada with Frank Stallone called “Billy Lone Bear.”
Sonny is divorced and raising his 8 year-old son, Mo.
His son is all Sonny lives for these days. In fact he brought him to KC to meet me a couple years ago when they stayed at my condo. Wonderful boy. Now he’ll have a hard time taking care of him due to the physical problems of not having a right leg and nobody else to help. We are working on all that now.
That’s not something you want to have happen at Christmas or ever.
Sonny had a long and successful career. I think of him and this every hour it is so painful. We might get him to move to KC at some point. We all have issues and problems but when something like this happens it makes you realize other people might have even worse problems.
He’s a great guy and was always wonderful to me and my family. I hope it can work out for him and his son.
Sorry for him, and sorry for you as his friend. Hope he can rally and rise above this new hindrance.
friend of mine lost his leg about this time last year. tough duty, no matter how it happened. there’s no such thing as too much encouragement and support.
Sorry glaze about your friend. I had 2 good friends lose single legs…one
in a motorcycle accident…the second in Iraq for which he won 2 medals.
The great part is that modern medicine has developed prostetic legs that are
amazing. I’ve seen 2 friends who were so deep in depression after their
loss come back to do the things they did before. One now is able to
ride in road races and the second one is becoming one of the top high school
football coaches in florida…all because of the advanced technology that we
have developed that allows amputees to live normal lives.
Wish your friend good luck and encourage him that god did not take
their mind or their hearts and a great world where anything is possible
awaits them.
Happy holidays.
Your friend Harley!
Its a tough deal. He’s a good guy. I hope he can work through it all.
Imagine how upset Glazer is. He bought him a pair of jeans for Christmas and he can’t find the receipt!
Whoever you are, go back where you came from. You’re not wanted here or anywhere.
Yes that person is an example of the hate and disgust too many people use in their comments. Cold and mean. I guess our society has just moved in that direction. Blogs like this one prove that every day.
I will always remember him working with you in Two Bears one Cup.
Is there any truth to the rumors he is going to be marrying his longtime Chinese girlfriend Tai Won Shu?
you can screw with glaze…me…k…Wilson…hearne…but the fact
that you fucked with a man who just suffered a serious accident will haunt you.
We will find you! In other words you p.o.s the
kcc troops will dig you up like the scum bag
you are.
Not funny….karma is hell!
CG – very sorry to hear this news. I remember seeing Sonny at Stanfords in the early 90’s. He was wearing a white suit w red silk shirt and sunglasses – not exactly the attire you would normally see in KC. I wish him the best in his recovery. Just a little humor in a serious situation – I imagine be will now be switching his allegiances from libertarian to democrat.
Nellie…not even funny you freaking jerk.
The rehab and mental anguish from these types of accident are long and
hard. It’s mind boggling how a person could make a stu[id comment
like this.
I doubt he’ll get government assistance for his accident but regardless
your comment belongs on tkc…not kcc.
now go play with yourself your freaking idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
same goes for ‘veal head” and his comments.
How do people like this even exist in life…….
All the best to your friend, CG.
He sounds like a good dude.
Billy Lone Bear.
Billy
Lone
Bear
THE MOST EROTIC ACTION ACTION ADVENTURE FILM YOU HAVE EVER SEEN
If Sonny Landham gets back into Karate will he call it Partial Arts?
God bless your friend
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I think I’ve fallen into a time warp
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You channeling Craig?
It’s 2022, and I just finished watching PREDATOR for the umpty-seventh time. I kinda know what sonny was going through later on…I too have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
Sonny, you were a cool dude. I’ll (hopefully) see you soon.
R.I.P.