Noble Willingham Movies and Career Information

Noble Henry Willingham, Jr. (August 31, 1931 — January 17, 2004) was an American television and film actor. Willingham had appeared in more than thirty feature films, including Harry's War (1981), Up Close and Personal (1996), City Slickers (1991), The Last Boy Scout (1991), City Slickers II (1994), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Chinatown (1974), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), The Distinguished Gentleman (1992), and Independence Day (1983). He was born in the small town of Mineola, the seat of Wood County east of Dallas, Texas. After having graduated in 1953 from North Texas State University in Denton, he earned a master's degree in educational psychology from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Willingham was teaching high school government and economics in Houston before he followed his dream of becoming an actor. He auditioned for a part in The Last Picture Show (1971), which was filmed in Texas. He won the role, which led to another appearance -- Paper Moon (1973). On television, Willingham had a recurring role in the ABC series Home Improvement with Tim Allen as John Binford, and appeared as a guest star in the CBS series Murder, She Wrote, Star Trek: The Next Generation