%0AAlan Autry had a rather modest upbringing when he was younger, as he, his mother, and his stepfather moved around as migrant workers, planting crops and following jobs. Eventually, they settled in Riverdale, where Alan’s life began to take shape as he became a star football player. He went on to become an even bigger football star, but when he was cut from the team he turned to acting, only to try his hand at a football career again in the CFL. Unfortunately, that endeavor fizzled out, prompting him to return to acting. He lasted just shy of a decade before returning home to figure out what direction his life was going in at the time. He has been doing well ever since, though it seems that life in the NFL, CFL, and Hollywood wasn’t where he saw himself for the long-term.
Here are a few things you may not have known about him.
10. He was named after a Louisiana politician.
His given name is Carlos, after a Louisiana politician that his father admired. People name their kids in different ways all the time, but it could have been a risky move to name him after a politician unless that politician was beyond reproach.
9. He played for the Green Bay Packers at one point.
Alan managed to start in three games before he was cut from the team by Coach Bart Starr. This prompted him to pursue an acting career, which he remained in for some time until he decided to make his way into the CFL.
8. He was a star on In The Heat of the Night.
%0AThis show was once quite popular when it aired, and he was one of the reasons for its success. He had the look and the acting ability that kept people coming back to it. Of course, it could have been that women just wanted to see him too, but likely it was because he had become an integral part of the show and made it even better.
7. Alan is his middle name.
He decided to drop the Carlos part and go by Alan, as he doesn’t look Hispanic and it might have been a slight to his father at the time. This is hard to know for sure and is a lot of assumption without talking to the man, so it’s more of an educated guess and opinion.
6. He was the mayor of Fresno, California for two terms.
He had another person lined up that he was going to endorse when his term was up, but they unexpectedly bowed out and so he decided not to continue. Nevertheless, he managed to win the people over for two terms, which is quite impressive.
5. He was appointed to the California State Film Commission.
Alan was bestowed this position by none other than the governor at the time, Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s certainly an honor in any case, but to be quite honest if someone like Arnold chooses to appoint you to a position it would be a tremendous accomplishment for anyone.
4. He’s the CEO of Autry Entertainment Group.
It goes without saying that he managed to secure a future for himself, so that after he left he would still have something to fall back on. That’s a wise move that anyone can do if they learn how and put in the effort.
3. He was a part of Hollywood for 9 years.
It may appear that he was there longer, but his career didn’t actually span many years. Some people get into the industry and stay for the long run, regardless of whether or not their career progresses, whereas others come in, reach their desired success, and then leave. Everyone has to decide for themselves if Hollywood is the right path, as it’s not suitable for everyone.
2. He’s a born-again Christian.
This has granted him a great deal of purpose in his life as he has noted before and has contributed to making him a much more content and balanced individual. Religion can be a very calming aspect of one’s life and can help them to adjust what needs adjusting and balance their life in a meaningful way.
1. He managed to guest star on a few shows.
%2BAlan%2Bmade%2Bhis%2Bway%2Bonto%2Ba%2Bfew%2Bshows%2Blike%2Bthe%2BA-Team%2Bhere%2Band%2Bthere%2Bduring%2Bhis%2Bcareer%2B–%2Bno%2Bdoubt%2Bhelping%2Bto%2Bcement%2Bhis%2Blegacy%2Bas%2Ba%2Bsuccessful%2Bactor.%2BWithout%2Bsuch%2Bappearances%2Bhis%2Btime%2Bin%2BHollywood%2Bcould%2Bhave%2Bbeen%2Bmarred%2Bby%2Bthe%2Bfalse%2Bimpression%2Bthat%2Bhe%2Bwas%2Bunable%2Bto%2Bmake%2Bit.
Alan did make his way onto a few shows like the A-Team here and there during his career — no doubt helping to cement his legacy as a successful actor. Without such appearances, his time in Hollywood could have been marred by the false impression that he was unable to make it.
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