Red West

Red West was an actor, songwriter and longtime friend of Elvis Presley. He appeared in 18 of the singer’s films, including Blue Hawaii, Viva Las Vegas and Live a Little, Love a Little.

West first met Presley when the two were in high school, and went on to work as the singer's driver and bodyguard. West also co-wrote songs with Presley, including "Separate Ways," "If Every Day Was Like Christmas" and "If You Talk in Your Sleep."

Additionally, West appeared on television, including roles on the series Bonanza, Maverick, Get Smart, Mission: Impossible, Mannix, The Six Million Dollar Man, Battlestar Galactica, Quincy M.E., Knight Rider, The Twilight Zone, The A-Team, Rectify and Nashville. He also had a regular role as Sgt. Andy Micklin on the Robert Conrad-starrer Black Sheep Squadron, and contributed regularly as a stuntman on The Wild Wild West.

Additionally, West appeared in the films Natural Born Killers, Walking Tall, Road House, The Legend of Grizzly Adams, The Rainmaker, Glory Road, Goodbye Solo and Safe Haven.

West died July 18, 2017, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 81.