Trivia

Tom's movie Billy Jack (1971) cost $800,000 to make and grossed over $65 million.

Intended to run against Arnold Schwarzenegger for governor of California.

Trained in hapkido karate by karate master Bong Soo Han.

Was a running back for the University of Minnesota football team, and later tried out for the old Chicago Cardinals in the NFL.

Tom and wife Delores Taylor have three children -- Frank Laughlin, Teresa Kelly (was billed as either Teresa Laughlin or T.C. Laughlin), and Christina Laughlin.

Attended and graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He returned to the school in 1978 and told an assembly that he was a 'greaser' during his high school years, and that he once beat up Gene Wilder who went to the same school and lived in the same neighborhood.

Played Billy Jack for the fifth time in "The Return Of Billy Jack" (1985), an unfinished film in which Billy Jack battled child pornographers.

Resigned from the Academy after George Lucas lost the Best Director Academy Award for Star Wars to Woody Allen for Annie Hall.

At the time of his death, his family requested publicly "In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that donations be made to Friends of Pine Ridge or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.".

Garnered 147 votes in the January, 2004, New Hampshire primary.

Has done extensive research on Jungian psychology and alternative cancer therapy treatments.

Waged campaigns for President of the United States in 1992, 2004, and 2008.

Frank Laughlin, the name that Tom Laughlin often used as a pseudonym, is his son's name.

He was the son of Margaret Hellen Catherine (Smith) and Thomas McHugh Laughlin. His father was of Irish descent and his mother was of Scottish, English, and German ancestry.

Living in Camarillo, California. (January 2004)

Body cremated and ashes given to family or friend.