One of the more unique and bittersweet biographies available in print and Kindle is the outstanding Jan-Michael Vincent Edge of Greatness by David Grove. Much like the brilliant look at the last few years of Groucho Marx in Raised Eyebrows, this bio paints a unique and intriguing, poignant, and somewhat sad portrait of the talented actor. Unlike Raised Eyebrows, Grove's work doesn't focus on a period of a few short years. The book covers the entire life of the great and underappreciated actor.
And Jan-Michael Vincent was simultaneously brilliant and underappreciated. Most well-known for his brilliant portrayal of the hitman apprentice appearing alongside Charles Bronson in the original The Mechanic (1972), the Disney hit The World's Greatest Athlete (1973), along with the cult television series Airwolf (1984 - 1986), Vincent appeared in a host of other memorable television programs and television movies and a few forgotten classic films of the 1970s. (How many Generation X members recall a young Jan-Michael Vincent on the "Danger Island" episodes of The Banana Splits Show )
Jan-Michael Vincent garnered a few starring roles, but he never broke through to major stardom. Grove's book -- published by Bear Manor Media -- points out that Vincent never had a major box office hit outside of his Disney vehicle and the 1977 cult hit White Line Fever. The latter film owed its success to the CB/trucker movie fad. The actor gained no major star momentum from either hit.
It may be added that bouncing between cinematic releases and guest appearances on television likely over-exposed him. Appearances on prime-time television crime shows probably undermined his chances at more prominent roles in major studio movies.
Vincent also tended to select some truly obtuse films to appear in. These movies' lack of box office success did little to keep his career on an upwards trajectory.
Grove's book is worthwhile reading for anyone who fondly remembers Jan-Michael Vincent's memorable work in the 1970s and 1980s, but be forewarned: the tale is not always the happiest one.
