Noble Henry Willingham, Jr. (August 31, 1931 — January 17, 2004) was an American television and film actor. Willingham was the son of Ladelle (née Speights) and Noble Henry Willingham, a railroad worker and a farmer. He was born in the small town of Mineola, in Wood County east of Dallas, Texas. After graduating in 1953 from North Texas State University in Denton, he earned a master's degree in educational psychology from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Willingham has appeared in more than thirty feature films, including Chinatown (1974), Harry's War (1981), Independence Day (1983), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), City Slickers (1991), The Last Boy Scout (1991), The Distinguished Gentleman (1992), City Slickers II (1994), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), and Up Close and Personal. Willingham was teaching high school government and economics in Houston before he followed his dream of becoming an actor. He auditioned for a part in The Last Picture Show (1971), which was filmed in Texas. He won the role, which led to another appearance, in 1973's Paper Moon.