Geoffrey Lewis (July 31, 1935 – April 7, 2015) was an American character actor.

Life and career

Lewis was born in San Diego, California. His filmography includes television shows such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent and My Name is Earl, as well as films such as Down in the Valley, alongside Edward Norton, The Butcher, alongside Eric Roberts, Maverick, alongside Mel Gibson, and When Every Day Was the Fourth of July alongside Dean Jones. He appeared in the episode, "Tithonus" on The X-Files. He also made an uncredited appearance in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.

In 1979, Lewis co-starred as a gravedigger turned vampire in the cult classic made-for-television movie Salem's Lot. Lewis played opposite Polly Holliday in the Alice spin-off Flo in 1980-1981 as Earl, the bartender and sometime romantic interest of Flo. The series lasted two seasons and 29 episodes and is available in entirety on Amazon.com as an instant video download.

Lewis worked frequently with actor-director Clint Eastwood in several films including Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Pink Cadillac, Any Which Way You Can, Bronco Billy, Every Which Way but Loose, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot andHigh Plains Drifter.

Lewis was a Scientologist. In 2005, he was quoted on the official church website: "The wins that I've had with Scientology coincide directly with the rise in my career. It's hard to pick out any one specific piece of tech, suffice it to say that I as an artist was surrounded with nonsurvival considerations, actions and valences - all of my own making. Through my use of Scientology technology I have eradicated most of these things and continue to eradicate them, giving me more freedom and intention to create into the future. And, by the by, a great deal more altitude, a more inclusive point from which to view life - past, present and future. I wish to acknowledge Ron's brilliant work, benevolence and stick-to-it-ness. He never gave up and I am thankful and happy to be a recipient of that knowledge. Geoffrey Lewis, Actor"

Lewis was the father of actress and singer Juliette Lewis.