Cork Hubbert

Carl "Cork" Hubbert was born on July 3, 1952 in the small agricultural town of Pendleton, Oregon. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he developed an early fascination with performance, often reenacting scenes from classic westerns for family and friends. After finishing high school he moved to Los Angeles, where he studied acting at a community workshop before landing his first on‑screen credit in 1979. His first major break came with the television series The Charmings, in which he portrayed the affable but mischievous character Luther, a role that showcased his talent for blending comedic timing with a hint of underlying pathos. Luther quickly became a fan favorite, cementing Hubert’s reputation as a versatile supporting actor capable of both humor and depth. Throughout the 1980s Hubert built a diverse résumé that spanned film and television. He delivered a memorable performance as Rollo Sweet in the musical fantasy Under the Rainbow, demonstrating a willingness to tackle physically demanding roles. In Ridley Scott’s visually striking adventure Legend, he appeared as the enigmatic Brown Tom, contributing to the film’s cult status among fantasy enthusiasts. Additional credits include a supporting turn in the 1985 comedy Not for Publication alongside Nancy Allen, and a poignant portrayal of Cousin Lymon in The Ballad of the Sad Café, where his understated delivery underscored the story’s emotional core. Despite these successes, Hubert’s career faced challenges after the mid‑1980s, as chronicled in The Sweeps: Behind the Scenes in Network TV, which documented the difficulties he encountered securing steady work after Under the Rainbow and a guest spot on Magnum, P.I.. His perseverance remained evident until his untimely death on September 28, 2003 in Venice, California, where he succumbed to complications related to diabetes. Though his life was cut short at 51, Cork Hubbert left an indelible mark on the industry through a body of work that continues to be celebrated by devoted fans and scholars alike.