WILLIAM DEVANE - Ron Lake

1999 was a busy year for William Devane, who continues to blaze a trail of credits in motion pictures and television that stretches 30+ years. In addition to playing the flamboyant, self-serving redneck lawyer Ron Lake, he headlined the television series TURKS and co-starred with Mel Gibson in PAYBACK. He also shot SPACE COWBOYS for Clint Eastwood and THE HOLLOW MAN for Paul Verhoeven.

He is best known (and loved among Benton locals) for his acting and directing work on KNOTS LANDING, one of the longest-running dramas in television history. Other high points in his long, distinguished career include THE MISSILES OF OCTOBER (as JFK), MCCABE & MRS. MILLER, MARATHON MAN, FAMILY PLOT, YANKS, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (the 1979 miniseries), A WOMAN NAMED JACKIE and THE PRESIDENT'S CHILD.

Devane found himself so taken with the wacky character, sharp story and funny dialogue that he threw himself wholly into the project. "I came down early because I knew I was dealing with something special," he affirms. "Ron Lake is so different from what I am usually offered, and it's great to just cut loose and let it happen. I found it nice to spend time rehearsing and preparing, so that when the cameras rolled, I could waste no time and just be Ron Lake."