Podtalk: Actor/Writer Bo Svenson is Still Walking Tall at Age 80

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CHICAGO – A titan of a TV/film character actor, who is also a novelist and judo champion, is turning 80 years young on February 13th, 2021. Bo Svenson has been featured opposite Robert Redford (“The Great Waldo Pepper”), was notable as a Southern lawman (“Walklng Tall” series), impressed Quentin Tarantino (“Inglourious Basterds”) and is still ready for his next act.

Bo Svenson was born in Sweden … his mother was a big band leader and his father the driver for the King of Sweden … and emigrated to the America as a teenager. After a stint in the U.S. Marines, where he developed a love for Judo while stationed in Japan, Svenson began acting in 1960s TV to supplement his education. After a run in the TV series “Here Comes the Brides,” he got a big break as the co-star in “Maurie” (1973) and followed that with “The Great Waldo Pepper” (1975) featuring Robert Redford.

A Bo’s Life: With Robert Redford, Walking Tall, Quentin Tarantino and Judo Champion
Photo credit: BoSvenson.com

Svenson took over the Buford Pusser role in “Walking Tall Part II” (1975) and portrayed that character in “Final Chapter” and a short-lived TV series. He is the only actor to be in both Inglorious Bastards” (1978) and Quentin Taratino’s quasi-remake “Inglourious Basterds” (2009), after an appearance in QT’s “Kill Bill Vol. 2.” He’s written a novel, “A Dream of America” and is CEO of MagicQuest Entertainment, while still doing acting roles.

In PART ONE of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Bo Swenson talks about his Swedish roots, discovering Judo through his stint in the United States Marines, and his philosophy regarding gender.

PART TWO is about the legendary director George Roy Hill (“Waldo Pepper,” “The Sting,” “Slap Shot”) and Bo in “Walking Tall.” In the first story, Bo wrote later to add that George Roy thought the airport driver was an assassin, and he was cradling a shotgun while playing piano at Paul Newman’s house.

PART THREE is Bo’s tribute to America through his novel, and his life on the eve of his 80th birthday.

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