Sonny Landham, a talented actor renowned for his robust physique and commanding voice, made a memorable entrance into the world of mainstream cinema with a brief yet impactful appearance as a police officer in a pivotal subway scene. This early breakthrough led to a string of minor roles in notable films such as Walter Hill's cult classic The Warriors (1979),where he played a character who met an unfortunate end after being tripped by Michael Beck's baseball bat.
As his career progressed, Landham continued to appear in a variety of films, including the critically acclaimed Southern Comfort (1981) and the blockbuster Poltergeist (1982). His big break, however, came when Walter Hill cast him as James Remar's partner in the high-octane action film 48 Hrs. (1982),a role that showcased his ability to bring a sense of grit and toughness to the screen.
The 1980s saw Landham become a staple in high-energy films, including the action-packed sci-fi epic Predator (1987),where he shared the screen with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the iconic film. He also appeared alongside Schwarzenegger in the crime thriller Lock Up (1989) and played a pivotal role in the action-packed film Action Jackson (1988),where he was famously hurled out a window by Carl Weathers.
Although his on-screen presence began to dwindle in the 1990s, Landham continued to crop up in various roles, often leveraging his physical prowess to bring depth and authenticity to his characters.
