Billy Drago

Billy Eugene Burrows (November 30, 1945 – June 24, 2019), known professionally by his stage name Billy Drago, was an American television and film actor. Drago's films, where he was frequently cast as a villain, included Clint Eastwood's western Pale Rider and Brian De Palma's The Untouchables (1987). He also had recurring roles in the television series The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and Charmed.

Early life Billy Eugene Burrows was born on November 30, 1945, in Hugoton, Kansas, the son of William Franklin Burrows Jr., and Gladys Marie Wilcox (1918–1990) on November 30, 1945. He has an older sister, Patricia. He said his maternal lineage was of Romani descent and that his paternal lineage was Native American. He later took his grandmother's maiden name "Drago" as his stage name to avoid being confused with another actor. Growing up, his parents would drop him off at the movie theater often in their rural town.

After leaving high school he started out as a journalist for the Associated Press, and later became a popular voice on the radio that took him first to Canada and then to New York City. After a brief stint with a touring theater group, he worked as a stuntman at Boot Hill in Dodge City, Kansas. From there he went on to the University of Kansas. After finishing college, he joined an acting company.

Career Drago began his acting career in 1979. His early films included No Other Love, Windwalker and the Jeff Bridges movie, Cutter's Way. He went on to guest star in numerous television series, including Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting, Walker, Texas Ranger and Trapper John, M.D..

The role that brought his career international prominence was as the gangster assassin Frank Nitti in Brian De Palma's 1987 blockbuster The Untouchables. Subsequently, Drago appeared in numerous films and television series including The X-Files and a recurring role as outlaw John Bly in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.

In 1999 he began playing the demon Barbas in the WB series Charmed. Barbas was originally written as a villain of the week (in the episode "From Fear to Eternity"), but proved so popular with fans that he ultimately appeared in five of the show's eight seasons. and played a mysterious stranger who gives a boy a special key in the Mike + The Mechanics music video for "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)". Other notable projects include Gregg Araki's 2004 film Mysterious Skin,

Personal life Drago was married to actress Silvana Gallardo from 1980 until her death in 2012.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1979 The Chisholms Teetontah / Teetonkah TV mini-series No Other Love Brian TV movie 1980 Windwalker Crow Scout 1981 Cutter's Way Garbage Man 1982 Johnny Belinda Cutter TV movie 1984 Hunter Roscoe Ganther Episode: Pen "Pals" 1985 Pale Rider Deputy Mather Invasion U.S.A. Mickey Moonlighting Gangster In Leather Coat Episode: "My Fair David" 1986 Hunter LeClair Episode: "War Zone" North and South, Book II 'Rat' TV mini-series Vamp 'Snow' Hunter's Blood 'Snake' 1987 In Self Defense Edward Reeves TV movie The Untouchables Frank Nitti Banzai Runner Syszek 1988 Hero and the Terror Dr. Highwater Freeway Edward Anthony Heller Dark Before Dawn Cabalista Leader Friday the 13th: the Series Edgar Van Horne Episode: "Read My Lips" 1989 True Blood Billy 'Spider' Mastersmonsters episode The Cocoon Detective China White Scalia Prime Suspect Cyril 1990 Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection Ramon Cota 1991 Diplomatic Immunity 'Cowboy' Martial Law 2: Undercover Captain Krantz 1992 Secret Games Mark Langford Death Ring Danton Vachs Guncrazy Hank Fulton 1993 Lady Dragon 2 Diego The Outfit 'Lucky' Luciano Deadly Heroes Jose Maria Carlos Cyborg 2 Danny Bench 1993–1994 The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. John Bly TV series, 6 episodes 1994 Never Say Die Reverend JamesThe Takeover Daniel Stein 1995 Lunarcop Kay Phoenix Kilgore Mirror, Mirror III: The Voyeur Anthony Drifting School Thomas King Walker, Texas Ranger Running Wolf Episode: "Evil In The Night" 1996 Blood Money Agent Pierce Mad Dog Time Wells Sci-Fighters Adrian Dunn Blue Devil, Blue Devil Macintower 1997 Assault on Devil's Island Carlos Gallindo Convict 762 Mannix A Doll in the Dark Keith 1998 Monkey Business Branson 1999 Soccer Dog: The Movie Damon Fleming, The Dog Catcher Lima: Breaking the Silence General Monticito Frantacino Nash BridgesLou GrissomEpisode: "Vendetta" 1999–2004 Charmed Barbas TV series, 6 episodes 2000 The X-Files Orel Peattie Episode: "Theef" Very Mean Men Dante Mirror, Mirror IV: Reflection Frederick Champion 2001 Death Game 'Shakes' Montrose 2002 Desert Rose Unknown The Circuit Lenny Welcome to America Crazy Old Man 2004 Tremors 4: The Legend Begins 'Black Hand' Kelly Fort Doom Mr. Fallow Mysterious Skin Zeke 2005 Demon Hunter Asmodeus Blood Relic Harry 2006 Masters of Horror Christopher Episode: "Imprint" Seven Mummies Drake The Hills Have Eyes Papa Jupiter Soul Searchers Unknown Lime Salted Love Zephyr's Stepdad 2007 El Muerto The Old Indian Moving McAllister The Lady Revamped Vladimus Zombie Hunters Dr. Frankfurt 2008 Supernatural 'Doc' Benton Episode: "Time Is on My Side" Copperhead Jesse Evans TV movie Rounds Edward 2009 Dark Moon Rising Thibodeaux Ghost Town Reb Halland TV movie The Ritual The Man In Black 2010 Downstream Edward 2011 Children of the Corn: Genesis Preacher Balls to the Wall Belthagor 2013 Night of the Templar Shauna, The Chef 2014 Low Down Lew The Dance The Stranger Final film role