Keith Joseph Loneker (June 21, 1971June 22, 2017) was an American actor and American football player. For much of his short career, his large football-lineman build garnered him roles largely as thugs or football players. His first movie was director Steven Soderbergh's ''

Out of Sight ''Out of Sight'' is a 1998 American crime comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Scott Frank, adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1996 novel of the same name. The first of several collaborations between Soderbergh and actor Georg ...

'' (1998) and later the Neil LaBute thriller, '' Lakeview Terrace'' (2008).

Personal life

Growing up in Roselle Park, New Jersey, Loneker faced some personal obstacles that he worked hard to overcome for his entire life. In high school, while playing football, he endured a hip injury, for which doctors said he would never play any sports again. Loneker ignored the doctor and decided to work out intensely to rehabilitate himself. After two years being off, he stepped onto a football field once again. Loneker, although just happy to play again with his friends, ended up with a scholarship to the

University of Kansas The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, and several satellite campuses, research and educational centers, medical centers, and classes across the state of Kansas. T ...

NFL career

Although Loneker was passed over in the NFL draft after graduation, he insisted on "walking on" with the Los Angeles Rams. Loneker not only made the team but went on to start by the end of his first season. Loneker blocked for then rookie

running back A running back (RB) is a member of the offensive backfield in gridiron football. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback to rush the ball, to line up as a receiver to catch the ball, and block. Ther ...

Jerome Bettis Jerome Abram Bettis Sr. (born February 16, 1972) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nicknamed "the Bus" for his large size and runn ...

Acting career

While playing in the NFL, a former teammate who was working as an agent called Loneker and told him he had a part for which he thought he'd be perfect. Loneker had never acted before, but made a tape for the audition and the producers hired him from his tape alone. He was surprised when he landed the role of "White Boy Bob" in ''

''. Loneker went on to roles in '' Rock Star'', '' Superbad'', '' Leatherheads'', and '' Lakeview Terrace''. When Loneker wasn’t auditioning for movie roles, he was a substitute teacher at Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas.

Personal life and death

Loneker died of cancer on June 22, 2017. He had a daughter Kylee Loneker, and a son, Keith Loneker, Jr., who also played football at the University of Kansas.

Filmography

*Also starred in “Destination: Planet Negro” (2013). Role: Monster Truck Rally.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Loneker, Keith 1971 births 2017 deaths American male film actors American male television actors Atlanta Falcons players Los Angeles Rams players People from Roselle Park, New Jersey St. Louis Rams players 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors Deaths from cancer in Kansas