Gregory Walcott
Gregory Walcott (born Bernard Wasdon Mattox; January 13, 1928 – March 20, 2015) was an American character actor renowned for his role as pilot Jeff Trent in the cult science-fiction film Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959), widely regarded as one of the worst movies ever made, directed by Ed Wood.[1][2] Born in Wendell, North Carolina, and raised in nearby Wilson, Walcott served two years in the U.S. Army after World War II before moving to New York to study acting and eventually settling in Hollywood with little more than $100 and a tennis racket.[1] He adopted his stage name early in his career and made his screen debut in Red Skies of Montana (1952),[3] followed by the Western Texas Lady (1955) and a supporting role in the acclaimed comedy Mister Roberts (1955) alongside Henry Fonda and James Cagney.[1][2] Spanning four decades from the 1950s to the 1990s, Walcott's filmography included approximately 30 feature films and over 300 television appearances, where he often portrayed rugged authority figures like sheriffs, drill instructors, and police officers, leveraging his tall frame, square jaw, deep voice, and North Carolina drawl.[1] He collaborated frequently with Clint Eastwood on projects such as the Western Joe Kidd (1972), the crime drama Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), the thriller The Eiger Sanction (1975), and the action-comedy Every Which Way but Loose (1978), as well as on the TV series Rawhide.[2][1] Other notable roles included a police chief in the Academy Award-winning drama Norma Rae (1979) and a highway patrolman in Steven Spielberg's directorial debut The Sugarland Express (1974); he also guest-starred in seven episodes of Bonanza and led the short-lived NBC series 87th Precinct (1961–1962).[2][1] Walcott later embraced the ironic fame of Plan 9 from Outer Space, which he took reluctantly to aid a friend, and made a cameo appearance as himself in Tim Burton's biographical film Ed Wood (1994).[4][1] Walcott was married to Barbara May Watkins for 55 years until her death in 2010, and he was survived by their three children—Pamela Graves, Jina Virtue, and Todd Mattox—and six grandchildren.[1] He died of natural causes at his longtime home in Canoga Park, California.[1][4]Early life
Birth and family background
Gregory Walcott was born Bernard Wasdon Mattox on January 13, 1928, in Wendell, North Carolina, a small rural town in Wake County near Raleigh.[1] He entered the world in a modest yellow, two-story clapboard house on Academy Street, emblematic of the simple architecture common in early 20th-century small-town America.[5] His parents were Robert Vernon Mattox (1897–1972), a furniture salesman, and Mabel Clara Bragg Mattox (1898–1991), originally from Wilson and remembered as a devoted Christian woman who instilled strong moral values in the home.[6][1][5] At the age of six, Mattox and his family relocated to nearby Wilson, North Carolina, where he spent the remainder of his childhood.[5] The family maintained close ties with relatives in Wendell, including members of the Todd, Knott, and Mattox families, who offered supportive attention during his early years.[5] Growing up in these tight-knit communities, Mattox developed an early fascination with storytelling and performance, sparked by regular visits to the local Wilson Theatre, where he was exposed to the magic of cinema.[5] This rural upbringing amid economic challenges shaped his formative experiences, fostering resilience before a pivotal shift later in adolescence. As he transitioned into acting, Mattox adopted the stage name Gregory Walcott to align with professional standards upon joining the Screen Actors Guild, marking a deliberate rebranding for his entertainment career.[5]Military service and education
Following his graduation from Charles L. Coon High School in Wilson in 1946, Gregory Walcott enlisted in the United States Army, serving for two years in the immediate postwar period.[7][8][1] His service occurred without combat deployment, as it predated the Korean War, and he was honorably discharged around 1948.[8] This period instilled a sense of discipline that later influenced his approach to acting, though specific duties during his enlistment remain undocumented in primary accounts.[9] After his discharge, Walcott attended Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, on a football scholarship, where he played as a lineman while pursuing general studies.[4] In 1949, with limited funds, he hitchhiked from the East Coast to Hollywood, California, to pursue his growing interest in performance, a stark shift from his rural North Carolina roots.[4][1] Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Walcott utilized the G.I. Bill to enroll in acting classes at the Ben Bard School of the Theatre, focusing on dramatic training and stagecraft.[4][10] This formal education marked his deliberate entry into professional acting preparation, building on informal theater exposure from his youth and providing foundational skills in voice, movement, and character development.[10] By the early 1950s, these studies had positioned him for initial auditions and bit roles in film and television.[4]Professional career
Stage and early television work
After completing his military service in the U.S. Army following World War II, Gregory Walcott moved to New York to study acting before relocating to Hollywood, California, where he initially supported himself through various odd jobs including waiting tables, clerking in shoe stores, driving a taxi, and performing day labor while pursuing acting opportunities.[5] He enrolled in a night drama school in Hollywood and began performing in local little theater productions, which provided his entry into professional acting.[9] Walcott was discovered by a talent agent during one such little theater play, leading to his representation and initial screen tests with studios like 20th Century Fox.[5] Walcott's early stage work was primarily in regional and community theater settings in both New York City and Los Angeles, where he honed his craft post-service without notable off-Broadway or Broadway credits documented in the period.[11] These performances, often in small-scale productions, emphasized his physical presence and military-honed discipline, which contributed to a strong stage command but also foreshadowed later typecasting.[3] Transitioning to television in the early 1950s, Walcott made his debut with a guest appearance in the sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet in 1952.[12] He followed with roles in anthology series and Westerns, including The Lone Ranger (1954) and Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1954), marking his entry into live television formats popular at the time.[12] Additional guest spots came on shows like The Millionaire (1955), Cheyenne (1956), Maverick (1957), and Sugarfoot (1957), where he typically portrayed authoritative or rugged figures.[12] Throughout these early years, Walcott faced challenges in establishing a diverse portfolio, often being typecast as a rugged everyman or military-type character due to his Army background and imposing 6'4" stature, which limited him to bit parts and supporting roles as he built his resume.[2] This typecasting persisted as he navigated the competitive transition from stage to screen, relying on persistent guest appearances to gain visibility in the burgeoning television industry.[5]Film roles and collaborations
Walcott's entry into film came in 1955 with uncredited supporting roles that showcased his early potential as a character actor. In Otto Preminger's The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, he portrayed reporter Howard Millikan amid a star-studded cast including Gary Cooper and Rod Steiger.[13] That same year, he appeared in Texas Lady as Deputy Jess Foley, romancing lead actress Claudette Colbert in this Western directed by Tim Whelan.[4] These debuts positioned Walcott as a dependable presence in mid-1950s Hollywood, often in lawman or military-adjacent parts reflective of his post-war background. Walcott's most enduring film role arrived in 1959 as Air Force pilot Jeff Trent, the ostensible protagonist of Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space, a science-fiction production notorious for its technical deficiencies and narrative incoherence, yet revered today as a cult classic for its unintentional humor.[2] He accepted the lead partly to aid a church acquaintance connected to Wood, despite dismissing the script as "gibberish," and kept the gig secret from his agent to avoid career damage.[14] Production frustrations mounted for Walcott amid Wood's haphazard methods, including recycled footage of Bela Lugosi, a mismatched stand-in (a caped chiropractor half his height), flimsy sets, and model airplanes on strings as UFOs; Walcott later vented his dismay, labeling the film "tasteless shit" and fearing it would overshadow his work.[14] Over time, however, he wryly embraced its legacy, noting in interviews that the film's "so-bad-it's-good" appeal ensured he was remembered rather than forgotten.[2] In the 1970s, Walcott solidified key industry partnerships, most notably with Clint Eastwood, with whom he collaborated on four films that highlighted his rugged, authoritative screen persona. He played Sheriff Mitchell in Eastwood's Western Joe Kidd (1972), a used car salesman in the crime drama Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), a supporting role in the thriller The Eiger Sanction (1975), and a bartender in the action-comedy Every Which Way But Loose (1978).[2] Beyond Eastwood, Walcott contributed to emerging directors' projects, including Steven Spielberg's feature debut The Sugarland Express (1974), where he depicted state patrolman Mashburn in the chase thriller starring Goldie Hawn.[14] Walcott's film career arced from leads in B-movies and genre quickies in the 1950s—such as sci-fi oddities and low-budget Westerns—to reliable character roles in high-profile studio pictures through the 1970s and 1980s, amassing approximately 40 feature film credits across diverse genres like drama, action, and occasional horror.[4] This progression underscored his adaptability, transitioning from overlooked supporting turns to memorable ensemble contributions in acclaimed works like Norma Rae (1979), where he portrayed a police chief, while maintaining a focus on authoritative figures in Westerns and thrillers.[2]Later television appearances
Walcott maintained a prominent presence in the Western genre on television during the 1960s, with recurring appearances across several landmark series that capitalized on his rugged persona honed from earlier film collaborations. He guest-starred multiple times on Rawhide between 1960 and 1965, portraying characters such as Les Hunt in "Incident at Poco Tiempo" (1960), Girard in "Incident of the Hunter" (1962), and Roy Kane in "Incident of the Wanderer" (1964), often as tough trail hands or antagonists in cattle-drive narratives.[15][16][17] Similarly, he appeared in seven episodes of Bonanza throughout the decade and into the 1970s, including roles as a drifter in "Song in the Dark" (1963) and a ranch hand in "The Saddle Stiff" (1972), contributing to the show's family-oriented frontier stories.[18][19] His work on Gunsmoke in the 1960s further solidified his status in the genre, with guest spots as authoritative figures in episodes dealing with law and order on the plains.[20] Walcott starred as Detective Roger Havilland in the short-lived NBC police drama 87th Precinct (1961–1962).[2] He also featured recurrently on The F.B.I. from 1965 to 1974, appearing in multiple episodes as special agents or informants in procedurals focused on federal investigations, showcasing his ability to portray steadfast law enforcement amid Cold War-era tensions.[3] In the later stages of his career, Walcott adapted to evolving television landscapes, finding steady work in mystery and action formats during the 1970s through 1990s, amassing over 100 television episodes overall. He recurred on Land of the Lost in 1977 as Captain Elmo Diggs, a military explorer aiding the stranded family in their prehistoric adventures. On Dallas, he played characters like Commander Jedediah Joyce across three episodes from 1980 to 1990, embodying authoritative oil-industry figures in the soap's intrigue-laden plots. Walcott's most enduring later television role came in Murder, She Wrote, where he made recurring appearances in the 1980s and 1990s, such as Isaiah Potts in "It's a Dog's Life" (1984) and Lamar Morgan in "From the Horse's Mouth" (1991), often as suspects or allies in Jessica Fletcher's small-town sleuthing.[21] These roles provided consistent employment post his film peak, allowing him to shift from Western heroism to nuanced character parts in mystery and ensemble dramas.[22]Personal life
Marriage and family
Walcott married Barbara May Watkins in 1954, having been introduced to her by Dale Evans at a Hollywood Christian Group meeting hosted at the home of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.[5][9] The couple's marriage lasted 55 years, until Barbara's death in 2010.[1][23][8] Together, they raised three children in Canoga Park, California: daughters Pamela Graves and Jina Virtue, and son Todd Mattox.[1][8] Walcott's acting career, which involved frequent travel for film and television roles, did not prevent him from prioritizing family traditions, such as taking each of his six grandchildren to the Academy Awards in age order as a special outing.[1] His son Todd followed in the family footsteps by pursuing a career in entertainment as a puppeteer, contributing to films like Men in Black and earning an Emmy nomination for D.C. Follies.[24][2][25] Walcott maintained a low public profile regarding his personal life, sharing few anecdotes beyond these family highlights and focusing instead on his professional endeavors.[4]Illness and death
In the 1990s, Gregory Walcott gradually withdrew from acting after accumulating over 300 film and television credits across four decades. His final screen role was a cameo appearance as a prospective investor in Tim Burton's 1994 biographical film Ed Wood, which depicted the making of Plan 9 from Outer Space, the cult classic for which Walcott was best known.[1] Following this, he retired from the industry, having earlier appeared in supporting roles in films like Norma Rae (1979) and television series such as Dallas.[8] Walcott's health declined in his later years, with family members noting he had been in failing health for some time prior to his death.[1] He passed away from natural causes on March 20, 2015, at the age of 87 in his longtime home in Canoga Park, Los Angeles.[4] His death was confirmed by his son, Todd Mattox, and his daughter, Pamela Graves, who described the period leading up to it as one of ongoing poor health.[8] Walcott was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California.[6]Legacy
Cultural impact
Walcott's performance as airline pilot Jeff Trent in Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) stands out for its earnest, straight-man delivery amid the film's infamously shoddy production values, special effects, and script, which inadvertently heightened its appeal as a benchmark of "so-bad-it's-good" cinema.[2] This role positioned him as the narrative anchor in a story of alien invasions and resurrected zombies, elevating the movie's ironic notoriety from obscurity to cult phenomenon after its rediscovery in the 1980s.[1] Though initially dismissive—calling the script "the worst" he had read—Walcott later reflected on its legacy with wry acceptance, stating in a 2000 interview that being linked to such a notorious work was preferable to obscurity.[10] In the Western genre, Walcott embodied the archetype of the stoic, dependable sidekick or authority figure across numerous television series during the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in seven episodes of Bonanza as characters like Farmer Perkins and Sheriff Crowley, as well as roles in Maverick, Wagon Train, and The High Chaparral.[26] These portrayals reinforced the genre's reliance on rugged, no-nonsense supporting players who bolstered ensemble dynamics without seeking the spotlight, a tradition that echoed in later Western revivals emphasizing gritty, understated masculinity.[27] Walcott's broader contributions to B-movie aesthetics lie in his reliable everyman characterizations that grounded low-budget productions, from science fiction oddities to action thrillers, highlighting the charm of earnest acting in imperfect films.[2] Plan 9 itself has permeated pop culture through parodies and homages, such as Tim Burton's Ed Wood (1994), in which Walcott cameo-ed as a potential financier, underscoring the film's lasting satirical value.[1] Often overshadowed by this association, his understated presence in over 100 film and television projects exemplified the undervalued role of character actors in shaping Hollywood's golden age ensembles, providing stability to casts in genres from Westerns to crime dramas.Recognition and tributes
Walcott earned respect throughout Hollywood as a dependable "working actor" known for his professionalism and reliability across more than 300 television episodes and dozens of films, often prioritizing steady employment over stardom. Clint Eastwood, who cast him in multiple projects including the television series Rawhide (1959–1965) and films such as Joe Kidd (1972), Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), The Eiger Sanction (1975), and Every Which Way but Loose (1978), endorsed Walcott's 2003 memoir Hollywood Adventures: The Gregory Walcott Story with the blurb, "Greg, you are the best." Director Delbert Mann similarly praised his instinctive talent after an audition for The Outsider (1961), remarking, "Greg, you were cast the minute your foot hit the door on the way out." Walcott's association with Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) led to frequent inclusions in industry retrospectives on the film's cult legacy. He provided interviews for documentaries like Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The 'Plan 9' Companion (1992) and The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood Jr. (1995), offering candid reflections on the production's challenges and Wood's earnestness. Additionally, he made a cameo appearance in Tim Burton's biographical film Ed Wood (1994) as a prospective financier, a role that humorously referenced his reluctant stardom in the infamous sci-fi classic. Following his death on March 20, 2015, Walcott was honored through extensive coverage in entertainment media, including obituaries in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter that celebrated his versatile career and enduring impact despite the shadow of Plan 9. His son, Todd Mattox, shared a personal tribute on social media, stating, "We said goodbye to my dad today. He spent his life making people feel good." These acknowledgments underscored Walcott's reputation among peers for his humility and contributions to both mainstream and cult cinema.Filmography
Film credits
Gregory Walcott appeared in approximately 30 feature films throughout his career, spanning genres such as Westerns, science fiction, and drama, often in supporting roles that showcased his rugged screen presence. His film debut came in 1955 with Texas Lady, and his work continued into the 1990s, with many credits reflecting collaborations with notable directors and co-stars in low-budget productions.[1]1950s
- Texas Lady (1955): Debut role in this Western directed by Tim Whelan, co-starring Claudette Colbert and Barry Sullivan.[1]
- Mister Roberts (1955): Supporting role in the acclaimed comedy directed by John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy, alongside Henry Fonda and James Cagney.[1]
- Badman's Country (1958): Role as Bat Masterson in this Western directed by Fred F. Sears, starring George Montgomery.[3]
- Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959): Portrayed Jeff Trent, an Air Force officer investigating alien invasions, in Ed Wood's infamous low-budget science fiction film, co-starring Bela Lugosi (in limited footage) and Maila Nurmi, noted for its cult status due to production quirks.[28]
1960s
- The Outsider (1961): Supporting role in this biographical drama directed by Delbert Mann, starring Tony Curtis as Ira Hayes.[3]
- Captain Newman, M.D. (1963): Role in this comedy-drama directed by David Miller, starring Gregory Peck.
1970s
- Joe Kidd (1972): Collaborated with Clint Eastwood in this Western directed by John Sturges.[2]
- Prime Cut (1972): Role in this crime thriller directed by Michael Ritchie, starring Lee Marvin and Gene Hackman.[29]
- Man of the East (1972): Portrayed Bull Schmidt in this Spaghetti Western directed by E.B. Clucher, starring Terence Hill.[30]
- The Last American Hero (1973): Role as Cleve Morley in this sports drama directed by Lamont Johnson, starring Jeff Bridges.[31]
- The Sugarland Express (1974): Portrayed the State Highway Patrolman in Steven Spielberg's debut feature, a road chase drama starring Goldie Hawn and Ben Johnson, based on a true kidnapping story.[2]
- Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974): Collaborated with Clint Eastwood as Used Car Salesman in this crime drama directed by Michael Cimino.[2]
- The Eiger Sanction (1975): Portrayed Klinger, the mountaineering guide, in Clint Eastwood's adaptation of Trevanian's novel.[2]
- Every Which Way but Loose (1978): Collaborated with Clint Eastwood as Putnam in this action-comedy directed by James Fargo.[2]
- Norma Rae (1979): Portrayed a police chief in this Academy Award-winning drama directed by Martin Ritt, starring Sally Field.[2]
1980s
- Any Which Way You Can (1980): Played Beef, a trucker brawler, in this buddy comedy sequel directed by Buddy Van Horn, co-starring Clint Eastwood and featuring the orangutan Clyde.[32]
- House II: The Second Story (1987): Supporting role in this horror-comedy directed by Ethan Wiley.[33]
1990s
- Ed Wood (1994): Cameo appearance as himself in Tim Burton's biographical film.[1]
Television credits
Gregory Walcott amassed over 300 television appearances across five decades, predominantly as a guest star in Westerns, police procedurals, and anthology series, showcasing his versatility in authoritative and rugged roles. His TV career launched in the mid-1950s with episodic parts in adventure and drama shows, evolving into a starring role in the early 1960s before shifting to recurring guest spots in major network series through the 1980s.[1][22]Westerns
Walcott frequently appeared in Western television series, leveraging his imposing 6'4" stature for roles as lawmen, outlaws, and ranch hands, often in pivotal guest spots that advanced plot tensions.- Laramie (NBC, 1959–1963): Multiple guest roles across four episodes. In "Drifter's Gold" (air date: November 29, 1960), he portrayed Duke, a bank robber who clashes with Slim Sherman in a high-stakes confrontation. He returned as an unnamed associate in "Trigger Point" (air date: May 16, 1961), aiding in a payroll protection scheme gone awry. In "The Sunday Shoot" (air date: November 7, 1962), Walcott played an ex-convict and expert marksman seeking retribution against a witness, culminating in a tense shooting contest. An earlier appearance in season 1 highlighted his early Western proficiency.[34][35][36][37]
- Rawhide (CBS, 1959–1965): Four episodes, emphasizing moral dilemmas on cattle drives. As the lead outlaw in "Incident at Poco Tiempo" (air date: December 15, 1960), he blackmails nuns after killing a priest, driving the episode's redemption arc. In "Incident of the Hunter" (air date: October 5, 1962), Walcott guest-starred as a bounty hunter recognized by the drovers, sparking confessions of past misdeeds. He appeared in "Incident of the Gallows Tree" (air date: February 15, 1963), contributing to a storyline involving vigilante justice against a accused murderer. His final role, in "Incident of the Wanderer" (air date: October 8, 1964), saw him rallying the crew against a suspicious newcomer.[15][16][38][17]
- Cheyenne (ABC, 1955–1963): Guest appearance in 1956 as an unnamed rancher, marking one of his earliest Western credits.[3]
- Maverick (ABC, 1957–1962): 1959 episode as a gambler entangled in a con scheme, highlighting his dramatic range beyond action.[22]
- The Rifleman (ABC, 1958–1963): 1960 guest spot as a territorial deputy aiding Lucas McCain in a land dispute.[22]
- Bonanza (NBC, 1959–1973): Seven episodes, including 1960 appearance as a mining prospector whose claim sparks conflict with the Cartwrights.[22]
- The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (ABC, 1955–1961): Mid-1950s role as a frontier marshal's ally in an episode focused on territorial expansion.[22]
- Wagon Train (NBC/ABC, 1957–1965): Late 1950s episode as a wagon scout navigating perilous trails.[22]
- Tales of Wells Fargo (NBC, 1957–1962): 1950s–1960s appearances as a Wells Fargo agent pursuing bandits.[22]
- The Virginian (NBC, 1962–1971): 1963 guest as a ranch foreman in a labor dispute storyline.[29]
- The Big Valley (ABC, 1965–1969): 1965 episode portraying a rival rancher challenging the Barkleys.[3]
- The Wild Wild West (CBS, 1965–1969): 1966 appearance as a secret agent foil in a gadget-heavy adventure.[22]
Police Procedurals and Crime Dramas
Walcott's most substantial TV commitment was in law enforcement roles, peaking with a series lead before transitioning to guest parts in iconic 1970s–1980s shows.- 87th Precinct (NBC, 1961–1962): Starred as Detective Roger Havilland in all 30 episodes across the single season, portraying a steadfast investigator in an urban police squad based on Ed McBain's novels; this role established him as a reliable TV lead.[22]
- The Mod Squad (ABC, 1968–1973): 1970 guest as a corrupt detective undermining the undercover team.[22]
- Mission: Impossible (CBS, 1966–1973): 1971 episode as a rogue agent targeted by the IMF.[29]
- The Streets of San Francisco (ABC, 1972–1977): 1973 appearance as a homicide suspect with hidden motives.[29]
- Kojak (CBS, 1973–1978): Mid-1970s role as a mob enforcer evading Lieutenant Kojak.[22]
- The Six Million Dollar Man (ABC, 1974–1978): 1974 guest as a military officer in a bionic enhancement plot.[22][33]
- Cannon (CBS, 1971–1976): 1975 episode as a private investigator's adversarial client.[29]
- Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973–1980): Three episodes (1974–1976) as various suspects in murder investigations.[29]
- CHiPs (NBC, 1977–1983): Late 1970s appearance as a trucker involved in a highway chase.[22]
Anthologies and Sci-Fi
Walcott contributed to suspenseful anthology formats, often in roles that explored paranoia and human frailty.- The Twilight Zone (CBS, 1959–1964): In "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" (air date: March 4, 1960), he played Pete Van Horn, a neighbor whose arrival ignites mob hysteria in Rod Serling's cautionary tale of fear.[3]
- The Millionaire (CBS, 1955–1960): 1955 debut episode as a beneficiary grappling with sudden wealth's consequences.[3]
Later Drama Series (1970s–1980s)
In his later career, Walcott appeared in prime-time soaps and mysteries, often as authoritative figures.- Little House on the Prairie (NBC, 1974–1983): 1974 guest as a stern town elder mediating family disputes.[22][33]
- Dynasty (ABC, 1981–1989): Season 1 (1981) episode as a business rival to the Carringtons.[39][22]
- Dallas (CBS, 1978–1991): 1981 appearance as Commander Jedediah, a military contact in an Ewing family intrigue.[26]
- The Fall Guy (ABC, 1981–1986): Multiple 1980s episodes as a stunt coordinator's ally in action-packed hunts.[39]
- Murder, She Wrote (CBS, 1984–1996): Three roles across episodes, including Lamar Morgan (1984), a suspicious innkeeper; Willie Patchecki, a shady associate; and Isaiah Potts, a reclusive witness.[26][39]