Jack Taylor, a veteran actor whose career spanned decades and continents, has died at the age of 99. Known for his memorable appearances in cult classics and major motion pictures, Taylor passed away on May 12, as confirmed by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. The Oregon native had been a long-time resident of Madrid, Spain, where he lived for over sixty years.
Born George Brown Randall on October 21, 1926, in Oregon City, Taylor's journey in the entertainment industry was as diverse as the roles he played. After spending time in San Francisco and Los Angeles, he gained early recognition appearing alongside Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe in a 1953 episode of The Jack Benny Program. Finding the Hollywood landscape challenging, Taylor eventually moved to Mexico, where he mastered the language and established a successful career in Mexican cinema, including roles in films like The Ivory Tower and the Neutrón superhero series.
In 1961, Taylor moved to Madrid after performing in the musical comedy La Pelirroja. He quickly became a fixture in European cinema, particularly through his collaborations with director Jesús Franco. His extensive filmography includes appearances in Succubis, Eugenia, and the 1970 version of Count Dracula, which starred Christopher Lee. His international appeal continued to grow as he took on roles in high-profile projects, such as playing a slave in 1963's Cleopatra.
Taylor's versatility allowed him to work with some of the most iconic figures in film history. He portrayed a priest alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in John Milius' 1982 epic Conan the Barbarian and played an antique book collector opposite Johnny Depp in Roman Polanski's The Ninth Gate (1999). His later career included notable roles in Ridley Scott's 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) and Milos Forman's Goya's Ghosts (2006). His final credits included appearances in Wax (2014) and Buffet Libre (2025).
Throughout his life, Taylor remained a dedicated performer, leaving behind a legacy that bridges the gap between the golden age of Hollywood and the international art-house scene. He is remembered for his longevity, his adaptability, and his enduring contribution to cinema.