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Bob Cowan, R.I.P.

By Mike Everleth ⋅ June 23, 2011

Bob Cowan in Sins of the Fleshapoids

Filmmaker Bob Moricz has reported that legendary underground film actor Bob Cowan has passed away. While the Underground Film Journal hasn’t completely confirmed the report, it appears that Cowan died on Tuesday, June 21, in his home in Toronto, Canada. He is survived by his wife Jane.

Cowan was a regular performer and collaborator with the filmmakers George and Mike Kuchar, and is most well-known as starring as the robot Xar in the classic film Sins of the Fleshapoids. (Pictured) But, more than just acting in the movie, Cowan also served as the film’s narrator and assembled its memorable music score.

In the ’60s and ’70s, Cowan was one of a few underground film acting “superstars,” along with performers such as Taylor Mead, Jack Smith, Gerard Malanga, Mario Montez and Donna Kerness.

Other Kuchar films Cowan appeared in were George’s Lust for Ecstasy and The Devil’s Cleavage; and Mike’s The Secret of Wendel Samson and The Craven Sluck.

Sins of the Fleshapoids, The Secret of Wendel Samson and The Craven Sluck were released by Other Cinema on a single DVD that is now out of print.

Cowan was last seen interviewed in the documentary It Came From Kuchar.


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