Bill Luckett

William Oliver Luckett Jr. (March 17, 1948 – October 28, 2021) was an American politician, attorney, actor and businessman.

Early life Luckett was born in Fort Worth, Texas and grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He had lived in Mississippi since he was six weeks old. His father was a lawyer. He graduated from the latter university in 1973. He also served in the Mississippi National Guard from 1971 to 1979.

According to Luckett, he and actor Morgan Freeman had been best friends for “25 years.”

Businesses Luckett co-owned the Madidi Restaurant with Freeman from 2001 to 2012. From May 2001 till his death, Luckett also co-owned with Freeman the Ground Zero Blues Club.

Political career He unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Mississippi in 2011 and served as Mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi from 2013 to 2017.

Luckett was also considered a mentor to consultant Burns Strider, who worked on Luckett’s gubernatorial campaign.

Legal career Luckett practiced law with Luckett Tyner Law Firm, P.A. as a member of The Mississippi Bar and the Tennessee Bar Association. He was also a member of the NAACP. One of his sons is Oliver Luckett. Luckett attended St. George's Episcopal Church in Clarksdale.

Death Luckett died on October 28, 2021 in Oxford, Mississippi, one year after being diagnosed with cancer.