For me also, one of the memorable movie heroes of my childhood. Not sure I'd consider him a 'liberal hero,' but I absolutely don't want to get into the politics of the times.

That character portrayed "The Reluctant Warrior" extraordinarily clearly; the kids in my neighborhood were all in full-on Billy Jack emulation mode for weeks after the film came out. Bead-banded hats and denim jackets everywhere. Powerful archetype, well played, even if the film was extremely melodramatic.

RIP to him.