topic AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69 in TV and Movies

AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

shesallthat — Sun, 25 May 2014 02:10:55 GMT

so sad!!! i so loved crazy billy clyde tuggle!!!!

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Emmy-nominated All My Children villain Matthew Cowles (Billy Clyde Tuggle) has died. The actor passed away on May 22, 2014, with his family by his side. Cowles was 69.

"Matthew Cowles passed away on 5/22," Cowles's manager, Tsu Tsu Stanton announced on Twitter. "I had the pleasure of being his manager. He was a very gifted and kind man who loved life and everyone."

The son of actor and theatre producer Chandler Cowles, Cowles was born September 28, 1944, in New York City.

Cowles starred as the titular character in the 1966 Broadway adaptation of James Purdy's novel Malcolm. It was the first of several characters Cowles would breathe life into on the Great White Way. Cowles also appeared in The Time of Your Life and Sweet Bird of Youth.'''

In 1969, Cowles made his first television appearance as Joe Czernak on the drama series NYPD. Elsewhere on television, Cowles made guest appearances on such television mainstays as Kojak, Law & Order, and Miami Vice.

Cowles skyrocketed to fame in 1977 when he was cast as the villainous pimp Billy Clyde Tuggle on All My Children. Cowles remained with the show through 1980 before leaving, but he would eventually reprise the role in 1984, 1989, and 1990. Nearly a quarter of a century later, Cowles surprised fans by walking the Red Carpet at the premiere celebration for the 2013 Internet relaunch of All My Children.

Cowles's work on All My Children earned him two Daytime Emmy nominations -- 1978's Outstanding Actor and a 1981 nod as Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role.

While daytime viewers will forever remember Cowles as the pimptastic Billy Clyde Tuggle, the actor also briefly appeared as Eban Japes on Loving, and on The Bold and the Beautiful in 1997 as Curtis.

On the silver screen, Cowles's first film role was in the 1969 dramedy Me, Natalie. Al Pacino also made his debut in the film. Cowles made an appearance as Merle in the 2000 soap send-up Nurse Betty. More recently, Cowles appeared in the 2010 Martin Scorsese film Shutter Island.

Like his daytime alter ego, Cowles proved that he had more than one life to live. In 1999, there were reports of Cowles's death that were greatly exaggerated. Miami police reported that Cowles had been the victim of a savage murder, and local news outlets picked up the story. After further investigation -- and Cowles being found very much alive and in Connecticut -- the victim previously pegged as Cowles was identified as Max Maislin, a man who had lied to his friends about having played Billy Clyde Tuggle.

An enthusiastic motorcyclist, Cowles met his wife, actress Christine Baranski, when he offered her a ride home one night on the back of his bike after a party. Cowles and Baranski were married in 1983.

In addition to his wife, Cowles is survived by two daughters, Isabel and Lily.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

akaburtonfan — Sun, 25 May 2014 02:25:21 GMT

I remember watching AMC when Billy Clyde Tuggle, Estelle and Donna were on. Didn't know he was married to Christine Baranski.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 25 May 2014 08:03:51 GMT

On 5/24/2014 akaburtonfan said: I remember watching AMC when Billy Clyde Tuggle, Estelle and Donna were on. Didn't know he was married to Christine Baranski.

Those were the days, weren't they? I had no idea he was married to Christine Baranski.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

mewsmomtoo — Sun, 25 May 2014 09:09:24 GMT

I was a big AMC fan in the 70's and I remember Billy Clyde very well, so well that I instantly knew who you were talking about in your "headline" even though I hadn't thought of that character for 30 years. RIP Matthew Cowles - you memorably portrayed one of the all-time great soap opera characters.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

Preds — Sun, 25 May 2014 13:03:19 GMT

I always enjoyed his ""creepy"" Billy Clyde character. May he Rest In Peace. Condolences to his lovely wife and family.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

Judaline — Sun, 25 May 2014 13:28:04 GMT

Oh,nooooo, we loved Billy Clyde. He used to say something every time he'd first come on, and I can't remember what. Never fear, Billy Clyde is here or something funny like that, then pull on his mustache like the evil villains in the old movies.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

shesallthat — Sun, 25 May 2014 15:57:30 GMT

i was so happy when they brought him back to AMC when it was online! i remembered him from watching AMC with my mom when i was in school and he was always so funny to me! it had been years since i had last seen him and as the article mentioned - people had said he was dead! he was still billy clyde and crazy and i always looked foward to seeing him again online. he was on of the reasons i was so upset when they cancelled AMC again!

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

luvmyteddy4 — Sun, 25 May 2014 19:30:41 GMT

I first noticed Christine on the TV series Cybill and knew she was married to Tuggle. That was one long marriage. Probably a good thing they had finished taping the Good Wife for now.

He was 69 and she 62.

I loved watching him on AMC.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

shoekitty — Sun, 25 May 2014 19:40:23 GMT

I loved him on AMC. He had oneofthose faces you knew, but didn't know his name! I realized just recently he was married to Christine Baranski for over 30 years! I am sad for her and the family. She talked about him lately, and they were very much in love. Nice to see thisin Hollywood!

My deepsympathy to the family

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

shoekitty — Sun, 25 May 2014 19:41:33 GMT

my space bar is broken. I thought I corrected above post, guess not. I have to separate each darn word, LOL!

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

Wsmom — Sun, 25 May 2014 20:38:16 GMT

She was also on AMC, Jewel...here's the two of them from back in the day at about the 4:13 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqygcPxRZWI

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

shoekitty — Sun, 25 May 2014 21:44:59 GMT

OMG, thanks Wsmom for trip down memory lane with AMC. Good Lord, the acting was horrible! Christine Baranski (whom I adore) probably laugths at her role! LOL! That was funny, asBilly Clyde says, "you shorn my locks"! Haha and he has a huge gap of hair removed.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

shoekitty — Sun, 25 May 2014 21:48:50 GMT

He was awfully young. Does anyone know what he died from? Sounds like he had a long illness?

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

Wsmom — Sun, 25 May 2014 22:40:34 GMT

On 5/25/2014 shoekitty said:
OMG, thanks Wsmom for trip down memory lane with AMC. Good Lord, the acting was horrible! Christine Baranski (whom I adore) probably laugths at her role! LOL! That was funny, asBilly Clyde says, "you shorn my locks"! Haha and he has a huge gap of hair removed.

haha...I agree about the acting. I watched that clip lol'd.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

Fifi1 — Sun, 25 May 2014 23:13:49 GMT

So sad for their family. Thirty years of marriage in "the business" is unheard of! I loved and grew up,watching AMC, and remember him well!

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

sommertime — Mon, 26 May 2014 01:24:27 GMT

I watched AMC from the beginning of time and I certainly remember how Matthew made the role of Billy Clyde an Emmy winning role. Condolences go out to his wife and two daughters.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

shoekitty — Mon, 26 May 2014 01:46:44 GMT

I think I started watching AMC right after it started. Maybe 1975? Erica was a teen I think. I used to get a kick out of Phoebe! The drunk? She was always messing with everyone's life. Loved her though.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

AuntG — Mon, 26 May 2014 19:21:18 GMT

On 5/25/2014 sommertime said:
I watched AMC from the beginning of time and I certainly remember how Matthew made the role of Billy Clyde an Emmy winning role. Condolences go out to his wife and two daughters.

I think Billy Clyde was originally cast as a bit part, but he took that role and ran with it. That was the type of role that had to be carefully played and he knew just how to do it. My sympathy to his wife and daughters.

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 05:11:05 GMT

You know many, many, many years ago I used to watch AMC. I do remember him! He was a really good character actor.

It's crazy! I can see him now!

Re: AMC's Billy Clyde Tuggle, Matthew Cowles, dead at 69

sommertime — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:55:51 GMT

I remember his voice and the way that Billy Clyde talked! Boy what a character he was!