Podtalk: Action Movie Villain Patrick Kilpatrick Pens New Memoir ‘Dying for a Living’

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CHICAGO – What is it like to usually play the villain? Movie character actor Patrick Kilpatrick will tell you, in his new memoir entitled “Dying for a Living: Sins and Confessions of a Hollywood Villain & Libertine Patriot.” Kilpatrick has over 170 movie credits, and the book is an insider’s view of a generation of action stars and TV/movie sets, including Stephen Spielberg’s “Minority Report” and shows like “Dark Angel,” as well as Bruce Willis (“Last Man Standing”) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (“Eraser”).

Patrick Kilpatrick of ‘Dying for a Living: Sins and Confessions of a Hollywood Villain & Libertine Patriot’
Photo credit: PatrickKilpatrick.com

Born in Virginia, Patrick Kilpatrick took a circular route to the big screen, graduating from the University of Richmond with an emphasis on English and History. After working in advertising and journalism – appearing in magazines as diverse as Modern Bride, Life and Playboy – he moonlighted as a bodyguard for several name rock stars like Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and Rod Stewart. While living and working in New York City, he was a founding member of the Divine Theater Company, and made his film debut in the infamous cult classic, “The Toxic Avenger” (1984).

His TV resume is a what’s what of the era, including “Cagney & Lacey,” “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “ER,” “24” and “Star Trek: Voyager.” Besides Bruce and Arnold, Kilpatrick has worked alongside Steven Segal (“Under Siege 2”), Jean-Claude Van Damme (“Death Warrant”) and Sam Elliott (TV’s “The Quick and the Dead”). His philanthropic endeavors include the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Disabled Veterans of America, Animal Rights and the Los Angeles Mission. He currently has 15 projects listed on IMDB in pre, completed and post production, including his directorial effort “Active Shooter,” along with “Night Walk” and “Catalyst.”

Bruce Willis and Patrick Kilpatrick on the Set of ‘Last Man Standing’
Photo credit: PatrickKilpatrick.com

In Part One of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, actor Patrick Kilpatrick talks about his spin on movie villainy, his advantage with a literary background and the meaning of “Libertine Patriot.”

In Part Two, Kilpatrick reflects on directors, type of action stars and an amazing story behind the infamous cult classic, “The Toxic Avenger” (his first film).

In Part Three, Patrick Kilpatrick talks about his own experience as a filmmaker, the philosophy of finished versus unfinished films, and potential epitaphs.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com