Red West - actor and former Elvis Presley Associate died of a heart attack at age 81

Red West, friend and bodyguard of Elvis Presley who became a successful film and television actor after ending his association with the singer, died Tuesday night after suffering an aortic aneurysm at Baptist Hospital. He was 81, according to The Commercial Appeal


BIM:   Red wrote 11 songs for Elvis including If Everyday Was Like Christmas, Holy Leaves and Christmas Trees, Seeing is Believing, If You Think I Don't Need you (from the Viva las Vegas soundtrack, also starring Ann Margret), If You Talk In Your Sleep, Separate Ways, You'll be Gone, that's Someone You Never Forget (Elvis himself gave Red the title and asked him to write the song about his mother).

Red was also co-author of the infamous book, Elvis What Happened with his cousin Sonny West, and another Elvis associate Dave Hebler. The book went on to be a best seller after the death of Elvis Presley.

After Red's days with Elvis, he went on to a successful career as an actor. Most recently, he had a small part on the hit series, Nashville. Red was a stunt man on 5 movies. Four of which were Elvis Presley films which include Tickle Me, Harum Scarum, Double Trouble, and Live A Little, Love A Little. His career in film actually began in 1959 when he had an unaccredited role in the film, Journey to the center of the earth. In 1960, Red had various bit parts on tv shows. And an unaccredited role in Presley's film, Flaming Star. He continued on in several of Presley's films. The list includes Flaming Star, Wild In The Country, Blue Hawaii, Follow That Dream, Kid Galahad, Girls! Girls! Girls!, It Happened At The World's Fair, Fun In Acapulco, Viva Las Vegas, Roustabout, Girl Happy, Tickle Me, Harum Scarum, Paradise Hawaiian Style, Spinout, Clambake, and Live A Little, Love A Little. During this time, he was also taking small roles in films and tv. He even had a role on the tv series, Get Smart in 1967.
In the 70's, he had roles on tv shows such as The Rookies, The Six Million Dollar Man, even Quincy, M.E. In the 80's, Red had roles on popular tv series such as Knight Rider, The Greatest American Hero, Hardcastle and McCormick, Magnum P I, The Fall Guy, Simon and Simon, and who could forget The A-Team. It was 1989 that Red starred in his most memorable role in the film, Road House with Patrick Swayze. In 1994, he landed a role in the film, Natural Born Killers. and in 1997, Red played Buddy Black in fellow Memphian, John Grisham's The Rainmaker (one of my favorites). This role was a nonspeaking role which made Red's acting ability really stand out in the film. The following year, Red appeared in the film, I Still Know What You Did Last Year, a thriller which I loved. There also is a little known movie called, Forty Shades of Blue in which Red had a role in 2005. Rip Torn stars in this independent film as a Rock n Roll legend whose character has similarities to Sam Phillips. A Russian woman living in Memphis with the has-been, has a personal awakening when the legend's son comes to town. It's a great film. In 2011, Red also had a role in the tv series, Memphis Beat starring Jason Lee. Red is best known for his roles in Goodbye Solo in 2008 and Safe Haven in 2013. Red had quite a successful career on his own as a songwriter, stuntman, and actor.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Pat (the couple recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary), sons John and Brent and the rest of the family at this time.

Funeral arrangements to be announced.