Here is the rewritten biography:
Darwin Joston, a talented actor, secured his place in cult movie history with his iconic line "Got a smoke?" in John Carpenter's action thriller classic Assault on Precinct 13 (1976). He played the role of laid-back Death Row-bound convict Napoleon Wilson with exceptional skill, showcasing his mellow, low-key, and disarmingly casual demeanor, along with his wickedly funny way with sardonic wisecracks. Joston's portrayal of the acidic and fatalistic Wilson was remarkable, but unfortunately, it did not lead to bigger and better roles.
Born Francis Darwin Solomon on December 9, 1937, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Joston attended Glenn High School in Kernersville, North Carolina, where he was a talented athlete. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1960, he moved to New York and began acting in stage plays and summer stock productions for about five years in the early to mid-1960s. He then moved to Los Angeles to continue his acting career.
Compared to his starring role in Assault on Precinct 13, most of Joston's other film parts were relatively small. He appeared in Rattlers (1976),Eraserhead (1977),Coast to Coast (1980),The Fog (1980),Time Walker (1982),and other films, often playing beleaguered characters. Joston also guest-starred in various TV shows, including ALF, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, Spenser: For Hire, The Rookies, McCloud, Circle of Fear, Ironside, The Rat Patrol, Lassie, and The Virginian.
In addition to his acting credits, Joston worked behind the scenes as a driver or transportation captain on several films, including The American President, Wild at Heart, La Bamba, Back to the Beach, The Ladies Club, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, and The Buddy Holly Story.
Sadly, Darwin Joston passed away on June 1, 1998, due to leukemia. Although he is no longer with us, he will forever be remembered as the supremely amiable and notorious killer criminal Napoleon Wilson, and his iconic line "Anybody got a smoke?" will continue to be quoted and cherished by fans of cult cinema.
