MULLER, Terry "Turk"

MULLER, Terry "Turk." (Dubuque, IA--San Francisco, CA, May 2, 2012). Terry ‘Turk’ Muller, a veteran character actor and Chicagoland legend, as a young man played football for a team known as the Huns. Noticed for his size and toughness, someone remarked that he was ‘mean as a Turk.’ Muller preferred that everyone refer to him simply as "Turk."

Muller's screen credits include films such as “Payback” (1999), “Primal Fear” (1996) and “The Fugitive” (1993). On the stage, "Turk" was a major presence at Chicago’s Prop Theatre, where in 2008 he appeared in Paul Carr’s historical play “Busted City,” and later performed in another Prop production--Charles Pike’s adaptation of “The Informer.” "Turk" served as producer of “The Informer,” and competed retroactively for Victor McLaglen’s 1935 Academy Award by playing the lead role of Gypo Nolan. (1)

A major break came for the actor when he was cast as a mob enforcer in the 1986 TV series “Crime Story." (2) Co-stars Jon Polito and Tony Denison successfully petitioned for "Turk" to be accepted as a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Both Mr. Polito and Mr. Denison kept in contact with "Turk" until his death.

Turk consistently used his influence to help artists. Upon the mere act of making Turk’s acquaintance, filmmakers and playwrights often found themselves on a path of promotion and networking normally carried out by a major studio or talent agency. Some of these efforts resulted in either a completed film or a significant stage performance.

By 2012 known works in progress included a feature-length screenplay, an autobiography and a preview tour of his self-produced one-man show based on the writings of Richard Hugo. (3)

His film credits include: (4)

Tapioca (2009) (completed) .... Mayor of the bar

Gambler's Mirage (2009) (completed) .... Ray

Public Enemies (2009) .... Other East Chicago Cop #1

Raging Goodfellow (2008) (V) .... Old Boss

Payback (1999/I) .... Black Suit

"Turks" .... Moving Company Foreman (1 episode, 1999)

Pilot (1999) TV episode .... Moving Company Foreman

Bruised Orange (1999) .... Krychek

"Cupid" .... Sean (1 episode, 1998)

End of an Eros (1998) TV episode .... Sean

Bullet on a Wire (1998) .... Mr. Strickland

Night of the Lawyers (1997) .... Det. Taylor

"EZ Streets" .... Rolly (1 episode, 1996)

Pilot (1996) TV episode .... Rolly

Chain Reaction (1996) .... Dane County Cop

Primal Fear (1996) .... Precinct Jailer

Lady Mary (1996) .... Bill

Reasons (1996) .... Detective

"The Untouchables" .... Rollo / ... (2 episodes, 1993-1994)

Only for You (1994) TV episode .... Tank Pappas

A Tale of Two Fathers: Part 1 (1993) TV episode .... Rollo

The Fugitive (1993) .... Clearing Officer

Excessive Force (1993) .... DiMarco's Thug

Lonely at the Top (1993) .... Marty

Hidden Obsession (1993) (uncredited) .... Cameraman

Hero (1992/I) (as Terry Muller) .... Tough Prisoner

Legacy of Lies (1992) (TV) .... Bronstein

Shaking the Tree (1990) (as Terry Muller) .... Ape

"Crime Story" .... Turk (1 episode, 1987)

Torello on Trial (1987) TV episode (as Terry Muller) .... Turk

Producer:

Raging Goodfellow (2008) (V) (co-producer)

---

Sources:

1. "In Memoriam: Terry "Turk" Muller," Screen Magazine, May 23, 2012, http://screenmag.tv/story/2012/may/23/9489/?r=chicago

2. O'Donnell, Maureen, 'Crime Story,'"The Fugitive Actor Turk Muller Dies at 70," Chicago Sun-Times, June 6, 2012, http://www.suntimes.com/news/obituaries/12980456-418/crime-story-the-fugitive-actor-turk-muller-dies-at-70.html

3. "In Memoriam: Terry "Turk" Muller."

4. Turk Muller, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0612251/

5. The Most Popular People Born in Dubuque, Iowa, USA. Online: http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_place=Dubuque,%20Iowa,%20USA