Trivia

During the filming of Predator (1987) a bodyguard was hired, not for his personal protection, but because the film's insurance company worried for the safety of the cast with him around.

Former 1970s porn star.

He is a descendant of the Cherokee and Seminole Nations.

He spent three years in the army.

On 18th June 2003, he held a press conference at the Kentucky State Capital, in Frankfort to announce his withdrawal as an independent candidate for governor of the state of Kentucky. This was done with the advice of campaign consultants who determined that the Landham campaign was 6 months behind schedule and lacking the funds to run a successful campaign. Had he won the seat, he would have been the third actor from Predator (1987) (after Arnold Schawrzenegger and Jesse Ventura) to become a state governor.

Lost both legs due to heart problems, beginning in 2016 with the right and then later the left leg in 2017.

Sonny became known as a filmmaker. He produced movies, directed movies, wrote movie scripts, and even became a published author with his book Total Man, but Sonny's main passion was golf.

He tried to sue some local TV stations who showed clips of his movies during news broadcasts without paying him. The lawsuits were settled.

His big break in movies came, when one of Hollywood's all-time great directors, Walter Hill, cast him as Billy Bear in 48hrs. The movie offers started coming fast and furious, among them, Predator, Fleshburn, Firewalker, and many others plus TV offers.

In both 48 Hrs. (1982) and Predator (1987), Sonny's character is named "Billy" and in both films, he dies shirtless and brandishing a large knife.

Sonny Landham has produced, directed, and moderated a political education DVD which will be on the market Spring 2006.

Announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat held by Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as the Libertarian Party candidate on June 25, 2008. A month later, the Libertarian Party dropped its support for Landham's candidacy due to difference in opinions. (June 2008)

After having done the character in the now famous '48Hrs' as "Billy Bear", he has had many roles where he is either called "Billy" or "Bear" or both. In a 1985 Hardcastle and McCormick episode 'You Don't Hear the One That Gets You' (1985) as Sheriff Billy Blackstone. In 1987's Predator as 'Billy', and in a 1996 movie "Billy Lone Bear" as Billy Lone Bear. And in his last known appearance as 'Chief Bear' in 2009's Mental Scars (video).

His only daughter, Priscilla Landham, takes after her father in the pursuit of acting.

On September 19, 2006, Sonny was injured in a four-car accident in Ashland, Kentucky.