Bo Hopkins is uninhibited, colorful and disarmingly honest. He has carved a career in Hollywood with a talent and determination that has led him from parking cars to starring roles in television and films.

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Bo was raised by his mother and grandmother when at the age of nine his father died unexpectedly. This sudden loss led to difficulties in adjusting for Bo and he joined the Army at the age of sixteen. After leaving military service, Bo moved to nearby Greenwood, South Carolina where he auditioned and won the title role in a theater production of Tea House of the August Moon. This led to a summer stock scholarship and a change in name from William Hopkins to Bo Hopkins, based on the character he played in Bus Stop. Bo followed his acting dreams to New York, but didn't like the big-city culture and returned home. Nine months later he left South Carolina for good and moved to Hollywood where he won a scholarship to Desilu Studios acting school.

Bo’s first television appearance came in 1967 as he guest-starred on The Andy Griffith Show. That was followed by appearances on The Virginian, Gunsmoke, and The Rat Patrol. Bo was appearing in the play The Picnic when he auditioned for director Sam Peckinpah and won the role of Crazy Lee in The Wild Bunch. While filming The Wild Bunch Bo was befriended by William Holden, who became a mentor and inspiration to Bo throughout his career. Bo maintained a great relationship with Sam Peckinpah, appearing in three of his movies.

Since that first feature film role, Bo has worked on projects with such diverse actors as Sean Penn, Steve McQueen, James Caan, Burt Reynolds, Jean Simmons and such esteemed directors as Oliver Stone, Stanley Kramer, George Lucas and Alan Parker. "I've worked with a lot of good actors and directors and you learn a lot that way," says Hopkins of his colleagues. 

The 2004 production, Shade, is his first outing as a motion picture producer. Enthusiastic about the material, he tenaciously shopped the script for 2 1/2 years. Bo is presently reviewing several scripts for his next producing effort.

Bo resides in Los Angeles with his wife Sian and their son Matthew. He enjoys fishing, raising Koi, painting and rooting for the Anaheim Angels.