Herbert Coward, 85, best known for his role in the 1972 film “Deliverance,” died in a car accident on January 24 on a highway in western North Carolina.
The incident took place when Coward and Bertha Brooks, 78, were exiting a medical appointment. North Carolina Highway Patrol’s Sergeant M.J. Owens reported that Coward, who was driving, entered U.S. Highway 23 without yielding the right-of-way, inadvertently cutting off an oncoming pickup truck. The resultant collision led to the deaths of Coward, Brooks, and also Coward’s pets – a Chihuahua and a squirrel.
The pickup truck’s driver, a 16-year-old, was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Sergeant Owens clarified that neither speed nor distraction played a role in the fatal accident.
Coward was a well-known figure in Haywood County, North Carolina, not only for his film career but also for his unusual pet squirrel whose antics delighted generations of kids. He had a key role in “Deliverance,” directed by John Boorman, and shared screen space with renowned actors such as Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox. The film revolves around a group of businessmen on a perilous canoe trip in Georgia, which is upended by threatening local mountain men.
In “Deliverance,” Coward played the “Toothless Man”, a character distinguished by his missing front teeth and fearsome demeanor. His line, “He got a real purty mouth, ain’t he?” in a high-intensity scene has been immortalized in the annals of 1970s cinema.
Coward’s portrayal of the “Toothless Man” embodied the stark, unpredictable themes of survival explored in “Deliverance.” Coward’s role in “Deliverance,” despite the brevity of his filmography, remained his most memorable work, striking a chord with viewers and critics for over half a century.
Beyond “Deliverance,” Coward, also known as “Cowboy” Coward, featured in other projects, yet none achieved the same level of recognition. His impactful performance in the film underscores cinema’s ability to make lasting impressions with even minor roles.
In a 2022 interview, Coward said that he was illiterate, and learned his lines for “Deliverance” by listening to the script on a tape recorder. He related that he was only able to write his name.
The Haywood County community and fans of “Deliverance” are collectively mourning the loss of Coward.
