Watching "Goodbye Solo" the other day … the lovely new film from Ramin Bahrani … I kept wondering why the actor Red West looked so familiar. But I couldn't place him so I did some research and realized that I recognized him from the TV show "The Riches" … which I avidly watched.

But his life is fascinating beyond the TV and movie screen. He met Elvis Presley in high school and ended up being his driver for many years and also his bodyguard. He then appeared as an extra or in a bit part in 16 Elvis films! Then he turned his hand to songwriting and had songs recorded by Pat Boone, Elvis and Ricky Nelson.

He was fired from Elvis' employ by Verne Presley, Elvis's father in 1976. More recently, he has appeared in "Roadhouse" (1989), "Natural Born Killers" (1994), "The Rainmaker" (1997) and "Glory Road" (2006) and many others. But "Goodbye Solo" is by far his most prominent role. Now in his seventies, I hope it allows him the chance at a few more films in his lengthy and diverse career.

Check out West’s film list over at IMDB by clicking here.