“The Long Lonesome Highway: The Michael Parks Story” (2025) / Z-View

Long Lonesome Highway: The Story of Michael Parks (2025)

Director: Josh Roush

Screenplay:  Josh Roush

Stars:  Michael Parks, James Parks, Kurt Russell, Haley Joel Osment, Robert Rodriguez, Leonard Maltin, Mickey Rourke, Justin Long and Wyatt Russell.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Michael Parks is perhaps the greatest actor you’ve never heard of.

He began getting television roles in 1960 and quickly became a popular guest star.  Some of the shows he appeared on include Zane Grey Theater, The Untouchables, The Real McCoys, Gunsmoke, Ben Casey, Perry Mason, 77 Sunset Strip, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Wagon Train and Route 66.

In 1965, he started appearing in feature films as well.  In 1966, Michael Parks was nominated as a Photoplay Most Promising New Star.   Then in 1969, Mr. Parks was given the lead in the television series Then Came Bronson.   The show was well received, but behind the scenes there was trouble.  Michael Parks pushed back on ideas he didn’t like.  The show lasted one season and Michael Parks developed the reputation as difficult.

When the series ended, Mr. Parks didn’t act on television or films for a couple of years.  Then he began to get guest spots and small roles in both tv and feature films.  Those that worked with Michael Parks universally praised his acting… but also tempered that with Parks’ offscreen behavior could be  non-conformist.

This is Michael Parks story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I was a kid when Then Came Bronson premiered.  I liked the show and expected Michael Parks to become a bigger star.  Now we learn part of the reason it didn’t happen.

Michael Parks was an amazing actor.  His scene in From Dusk Till Dawn is one of my favorites.  A small role, but man did he nail it.

Long Lonesome Highway: The Story of Michael Parks (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.