---
name: "Rockets Redglare"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/rockets-redglare"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 May 1949"
died: "28 May 2001"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 82
updated: "2026-09-16T14:02:57.476804+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Rockets Redglare

Actor. Born 8 May 1949 in New York City. Died 28 May 2001.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 May 1949, New York City
- **Died:** 28 May 2001
- **Active:** 1984–1986
- **Works often with:** Jim Jarmusch, John Lurie, Melody London

## Biography

Rockets Redglare (born Michael Morra) was an American character actor and stand-up comedian. He appeared in over 30 films during the 1980s and 1990s, often in independent productions and supporting roles in mainstream films.

Redglare made his screen debut as a poker player in Jim Jarmusch's *Stranger Than Paradise* (1984). He went on to appear in further Jarmusch films including *Down by Law* (1986) as Gig and *Mystery Train* (1989) as a liquor store clerk. Other credits include *Desperately Seeking Susan* (1985) as a taxi driver, *After Hours* (1985) as an angry mob member, *Big* (1988) as a motel clerk, *Talk Radio* (1988), *Basquiat* (1996) as himself, and *Animal Factory* (2000) as Big Rand. He also had a television role in the series *Oz* (1997).

Before acting, Redglare worked as a roadie for the band The Hassles, which included a young Billy Joel, and as a bodyguard and drug supplier to Sid Vicious and Jean-Michel Basquiat. He performed stand-up comedy in New York City's East Village clubs, including his Taxi Cabaret show. Redglare died in New York City on 28 May 2001.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, nytimes.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Down by Law* (1986), Fi1m 83, as Gig — [page](https://film.one/film/down-by-law.md)
- *Stranger Than Paradise* (1984), Fi1m 82, as Poker Player — [page](https://film.one/film/stranger-than-paradise.md)

## Also known for

- *Big* (1988), Motel Clerk — [page](https://film.one/film/big.md)
- *After Hours* (1985), Angry Mob Member — [page](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md)
- *Oz* (1997), Barber
- *Desperately Seeking Susan* (1985), Taxi Driver
- *Mystery Train* (1989), Liquor Store Clerk
- *Basquiat* (1996), Rockets
- *Animal Factory* (2000), Big Rand
- *Talk Radio* (1988), Killer / Redneck Caller

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/rockets-redglare