Powers Boothe 1948-2017
Actor Powers Boothe in the 1990 miniseries "Family of Spies," about the U.S. Navy cryptologist John Walker.
The Emmy Award-winning actor always commanded authority on the screen, whether playing military heroes, politicians and detectives, or nefarious villains and gunslingers.
"Cruising"
The native Texas, born to a farming family, moved to New York City to pursue acting, making ends meet by working in a Broadway restaurant. Though he eventually found theater roles, in 1981 he told the Associated Press his family was always ready to welcome him back. "They kept telling me, 'Come home and we'll have a place for you on the farm,'" he said.
His earliest film appearances were in William Friedkin's "Cruising," opposite Al Pacino (pictured) and "The Goodbye Girl."
"Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones"
Powers Boothe as a cult leader in the TV movie "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones," the true story of the charismatic head of the Peoples Temple who lead a mass murder and suicide in Jonestown, Guyana in 1978.
Boothe won an Emmy for his mesmerizing performance, but was the only acting winner to show up for his award, as the ceremony was held during an actors strike. "This is either the most courageous moment of my career or the stupidest," he quipped.
"Southern Comfort"
In Walter HIll's 1981 action film "Southern Comfort," Powers Boothe starred as a member of a National Guard squadron whose maneuvers in the Louisiana bayou turn deadly after an encounter with Cajuns in the swampland.
"Southern Comfort"
Powers Boothe in "Southern Comfort."
"Red Dawn"
In John Milius' "Red Dawn" (1984), about an invasion of the United States by Soviet forces, Powers Boothe played Air Force Lt. Col. Andy Tanner, who helps a ragtag group of Colorado high school students, the Wolverines, attack the invaders.
"The Emerald Forest"
In John Boorman's "The Emerald Forest" (1985), Powers Boothe tries to rescue his son who years earlier had been kidnapped by an indigenous tribe in the Brazilian rain forest.
"Philip Marlowe, Private Eye"
Powers Booth as Raymond Chandler's gumshoe in the HBO series, "Philip Marlowe, Private Eye."
"Extreme Prejudice"
In "Extreme Prejudice" (1987), Powers Boothe played Cash Bailey, an American in Mexico who has become a drug trafficker - and a target for an old friend, a Texas Ranger played by Nick Nolte.
"Extreme Prejudice"
Powers Booth in "Extreme Prejudice."
"Rapid Fire"
Power Boothe as a Chicago police lieutenant on the trail of a drug kingpin in "Rapid Fire" (1992), with Kate Hodge.
"Tombstone"
Powers Boothe as outlaw gang leader "Curly Bill" Brocius, in the 1993 western "Tombstone."
"Blue Sky"
Powers Boothe and Jessica Lange, who delve into an extramarital affair, in the drama "Blue Sky."
"Sudden Death"
In "Sudden Death" (1995), Powers Boothe played a former CIA agent who holds the Vice President and others hostage at a hockey arena - during the 7th game of the Stanley Cup Finals!
"Nixon"
Boothe played General Alexander Haig, President Richard Nixon's White House Chief of Staff, in the Oliver Stone biography "Nixon."
"Joan of Arc"
Jacqueline Bisset and Powers Boothe as the parents of Joan d'Arc, the war heroine, martyr and Catholic saint, in the 1999 TV miniseries "Joan of Arc."
"Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill For"
In the stylized "Sin City" films, adapted from the Dark Horse comics, Powers Boothe appeared as the corrupt Senator Roark.
"Deadwood"
Boothe starred as ruthless saloon owner Cy Tolliver in the western series "Deadwood."
"24: Redemption"
In the "24" franchise, Powers Boothe (pictured here with Cherry Jones) played Vice President (and later President) Noah Daniels.
"MacGruber"
In the 2010 action-comedy "MacGruber," Will Forte recreated his "Saturday Night Live" character of the ever-resourceful leader of an elite team of military agents, overseen by Col. Faith (Powers Boothe).
"Nashville"
Powers Boothe as business tycoon Lamar Wyatt, from the musical drama series "Nashville."
The Emmy Award-winner died on Sunday, May 14, 2017. He was 68.
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan. The Associated Press contributed to this report.