Biography

Character actor John Quade was born John William Saunders III on April 1, 1938 in Kansas City, Kansas. Quade transferred from Perry Rural High School in Perry, Kansas to Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas in 1954. John was a football tackle and participated in both track and basketball at Highland Park High School. Moreover, he was a member of the Stamp, Radio, and Chess/Checkers clubs. Quade graduated from high school in 1956 and attended Washburn University. John worked for the Santa Fe Railway repair shop in Topeka, Kansas.

Quade moved to California in 1964 and met an engineer building missile silos in Kansas, which led to a job in California working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as an aerospace engineer. Some of the parts Quade constructed are still on the Moon.

After meeting a movie industry talent scout he made his television acting debut in 1968 on an episode of "Bonanza." He acted in his first movie in 1972. With his strong, stocky build, distinctive rough face, drawling accent, squinty eyes, and often aggressive and intimidating screen presence, John was frequently cast as either mean, nasty heavies or hostile redneck law enforcers. Quade was probably best known as Cholla, the bumbling leader of the inept biker gang the Black Widows in the Clint Eastwood comedy vehicles "Every Which Way But Loose"" and "Any Which Way You Can." He had previously acted alongside Eastwood as despicable villains in the Westerns "High Plains Drifter" and "The Outlaw Josey Wales." John was likewise memorable as Sheriff Biggs in the epic TV mini-series "Roots." Quade had regular roles on the short-lived TV shows "Flatbush" and "Lucky Luke." Among the many television programs John made guest appearances on are "Gunsmoke," "Ironside," "Kung Fu," "Kojak," "Starsky and Hutch," "The Bionic Woman," "Charlie's Angels," "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," "Vega$," "The Dukes of Hazzard," "CHiPs," "Hill Street Blues," "The A-Team," "Hunter," "Werewolf," and "Baywatch." After he stopped acting in the 1990s, Quade became a devout Christian activist and outspoken opponent of the American government and its New World Order. John was opposed to the 14th Ammendment, Social Security numbers, and drivers' licenses. He supported the Alledial Title belief in common law. Quade was married to his wife Gwen for thirty-eight years and was the father of six children.

John Quade died sleeping as the result of a heart attack at age 71 at his home in Rosamond, California, on August 9, 2009.
- IMDb mini biography by: woodyanders

Played homely, menacing goons and thugs

Worked in the aerospace industry before he entered acting. According to his widow, Quade built parts that are still on the moon.

As of May 2002, he was acting, writing and directing independent films in the Mojave Desert, California.

Had ten grandchildren.

Had six children: John IV, Joseph, Steven, Heather, Katherine and Rebecca.

Buried at Joshua Memorial Park, Lancaster, Los Angeles County, California. Plot Roselawn Section, Avenue of the Flags (Veterans), Section A, Lot 97.