Darwin Joston

Francis Darwin Solomon (December 9, 1937 – June 1, 1998) was an American actor known professionally as Darwin Joston (sometimes credited as Darwin Jostin during the early years of his career). Joston began his career as a New York stage actor, and he appeared in many popular television shows during the 1960s, early 1970s, and mid-1980s, but he is best known for his performances in independent films that later achieved cult status, particularly Assault on Precinct 13.

Early life Joston was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to US Navy veteran (Beauford) Odell Solomon (1914-2006), owner of the Odell Solomon Lawn and Garden Center, and (Mary) Elizabeth (known as "Lib"; 1912-2007), daughter of John Smith, of Kernersville, North Carolina. Joston had one brother, Talmadge Solomon, who became a Church of Christ minister. Joston attended Robert B. Glenn High School in Kernersville, where he was considered to be a talented athlete.

Career After college, Joston moved to New York City and began his professional career as a stage actor in various theater and summer stock productions. He lived and worked in New York for five years When Carpenter was writing the screenplay for Assault on Precinct 13, he and Joston both lived in the same Hollywood Hills apartment building and became friends. Having gotten to know Joston and his dark sense of humor, Carpenter felt that his neighbor would make an interesting anti-hero. and is often cited as one of the primary reasons for Assault on Precinct 13s continued audience appeal.

Eraserhead, The Fog, Gunmen's Blues During the five years following the release of Assault on Precinct 13, Joston appeared in three more independent films. He played Paul, the beleaguered pencil-factory clerk, in David Lynch's classic 1977 cult film, Eraserhead. According to Joston, Lynch wanted to cast him in the part after seeing one of his previous performances (though Joston did not know which one), and he contacted Joston about playing the role through a mutual friend.

Joston also worked on the transportation crews of two 1978 movies, The Buddy Holly Story and Ruby and Oswald.

Later career In the 1980s, Joston's acting career became more sporadic, and he made a gradual transition from acting to working full-time as a teamster on film and television transportation crews. He had begun working as a teamster when he was between acting jobs, which, according to Joston, was much of the time; eventually, he became so busy working on film crews that he rarely had time to look for roles.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1970 Cain's Cutthroats Billy Joe 1976 Rattlers Palmer 1976 Assault on Precinct 13 Napoleon Wilson 1977 Eraserhead Paul 1980 The Fog Dr. Phibes 1980 Coast to Coast Drunken Trucker #2 1982 Time Walker Lt. Plummer