Ken Norton Dead at 70 – Starred in MANDINGO and DRUM

Drum, the title character in the 1976 slaverysploitation hit DRUM, was that perfect specimen of slave that neither man nor women could  keep their hands off. He was played by Ken Norton, a former world champion heavyweight boxer who had also played Drum’s father Mede in the film’s predecessor MANDINGO. Norton had a brooding, massive presence and no doubt high hopes for a film career, but he was no actor and his awkward readings and blank stare stood in stark contrast to the scenery-chewing of his MANDINGO and DRUM co-stars (James Mason, Warren Oates, Pam Grier – did he have a chance?). Norton (who once broke Muhammad Ali’s jaw) was reportedly a contender for the role of Apollo Creed in ROCKY but, though he did appear in a handful of subsequent films, MANDINGO and DRUM were his first and last shots at big-screen stardom. Norton was in St. Louis 3 ½ years ago for the first Contamination Convention and looked rough, but I did get my original DRUM one-sheet signed. He died today after a series of strokes at age 70.

From ESPN:

LAS VEGAS — Former heavyweight champion Ken Norton, who beat Muhammad Ali and later lost a controversial decision to him at Yankee Stadium, died Wednesday at a local care facility, his son said. He was 70. Ken Norton Jr., a coach with the Seattle Seahawks, confirmed the death to The Associated Press before handing the phone to his wife, too distraught to talk……

Read the rest HERE

 http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/9691147/ken-norton-former-heavyweight-champion-dies