Giants of West Tennessee: Miles (and miles) O’Keeffe

NOTE: This is the latest in an ongoing occasional series about notable figures from my home region. These are personal reminiscences and opinions; where available, I’ll include links so interested readers can find out more.

“My name is spelled with two e’s, two f’s and another e, and nobody ever spells it right.”

If you’re of my generation, you remember Bo Derek as the epitome of beauty, codified and made official by the movie 10. But if you’re a genre fan of my generation, you also remember her next film, a project so godawful it still provokes open-mouthed amazement. 1981’s Tarzan, the Ape Man borrowed its title from Johnny Weissmuller’s debut film but everything else came from some bizarre other dimension. Directed by Bo’s husband John Derek, it featured Bo as Jane, an unrestrained Richard Harris as her egomaniacal father, and as Tarzan, newcomer Miles O’Keeffe.

That would be the former Miles Keefe of Ripley, TN.

Genre fans also know Miles from a pair of roles later in the 80s. In Sword of the Valiant, he played Sir Gawain to Sean Connery’s Green Knight. Sporting a blond pageboy wig, Miles shows us things you never knew you wanted to know, like how to use a can opener to urinate while wearing armor.

In the Italian film Ator, the Fighting Eagle, he’s a fantasy swordsman battling evil, but it’s the sequel, known in some places as Cave Dwellers, that really keeps him on the map. This film, riffed by Mystery Science Theater 3000, is available in the Volume 2 set. And on page 37 of The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide, actor/writer Mike Nelson pens a tribute to his vision of Miles.

I’ve never met Miles, but he comes across as a solid actor whose basic dignity survives even the worst of his films. My buddy Hays Davis (fans might spot him as the person to whom Burn Me Deadly is dedicated) grew up in Ripley and provides this Miles-related anecdote:

“My friend Kathy went to the senior prom with Miles, and they graduated together from Ripley High School in 1972. I remember seeing Miles play the lead role in that year’s senior play, Li’l Abner. After graduation they went their separate ways. Years later, in 1978, Miles went to a party at Kathy’s house. He had missed out on an opportunity to try out for a Chicago rugby team, and wanted to try out in San Francisco. Their friend Billy made plans with Miles to drive there, and before the night was over Kathy had signed on as well. The three drove to San Fran in a Pinto, which was a real feat, as Miles was a big fellow. Miles stayed out west, and not long after, while at work one day, Miles was spotted by some industry folks who sized him up for the Tarzan role.

“I remember going with friends a time or two to the Keefes’ house in Ripley. Their daughter Kelly was three years older than me, and their brother Coleman was another couple of years older, and all nice folks. While I knew them as the Keefes, the name O’Keeffe was the original family name, which had been revised years back. By the time Tarzan was released, Miles had reverted to O’Keeffe, along with at least some of the rest of the family, if I remember correctly.”

I’m not sure if Miles is still acting; his IMDB credits stop in 2005, although he’s listed as the star of the 2010 short film King of the Road. But like Mike Nelson, I am sure about one thing.

The man could beat me up.

I’ve got a VHS of MST3K’s version of Cave Dwellers (a.k.a. The Blade Master, a.k.a Ator the Invincible 2) for one lucky commenter.

12 Comments on “Giants of West Tennessee: Miles (and miles) O’Keeffe”

  1. I first saw Miles in Tarzan the Apeman and the again wanted to see SAS Malko but I was just underage for the cinema release. Still haven’t seen it but caught up with the Ator trilogy and Waxwork. Actually Miles was one of the people who inspired me to write in the first place and I was chuffed when he excepted my friends request on his FB site, which he has sadly terminated. But the inspiration lives on.

  2. I went to school in Ripley TN. Mrs. Keefe, Miles mother, was my P.E. Teacher. Since we were all girls and it was our home room we needed help with our homecoming float, which was at the family auto dealership. Miles taught me how to put toilet paper on chicken wires. I was too shy to say two words to him. Imagine when years and miles later I SAW Tarzan!

  3. I went to school with Miles and ran around with him a lot. If you know Miles, he has a scar under his right eye. I know how he got it. I lived in the country and all our friends would come out to my house and play. Alex, I also know where Nutbush is. Remember the County Line Grocery, where we all bought out beer. Miles was a great guy and I was glad to call him my friend even before his stardom.

  4. your are my favorite actor and think you are very handsome
    (I know people say that a lot but it is true)

  5. I was part of the team that took Miles to the hospital when he broke his hand. I enjoyed visiting with him during his recovery. Now, I’m a writer and I wrote a romance novel with a character based on HIM. Since Miles has always been a great guy and a BIG dude, I gave my character a whole personality that I believe comes pretty close to the REAL Miles. Critics are way too hard on him, but if anyone could help him tap into his vault of emotions to make his characters come to life, I can. He has a winning, genuine smile that lights up his entire face. He just doesn’t smile enough! So his characters come across as stoic, apathetic or emotionless. Deep down he’s warm, compassionate and straight to the point, with a quick wit and winning sense of humor. IF he would like an emotion “coach” tell him to give me a call and I’ll set up a meeting to discuss my book with HIM as the basis for the main character.

  6. I think Miles O’Keeffe would have a tough time trying to fit inside my Cessna 150. He’s a big dude and my plane’s cabin is smaller than that of a VW. But, if he’s up for a ride, let’s go for it.

  7. Hallo, i’m from germany and it’s really interesting to read here that you knew Miles O’Keeffe. The movie Tarzan was my very first cinema movie in 1982. I watched it again last week and I think it’s the best Tarzan movie. Miles played Tarzan so naturally and beautifully. I hope he have a good and lucky life. I wish him the best.

  8. When I was around 7 years old I thought Miles O’ Keefe was the coolest dude. Before I got turned on to Sly Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I thought he was the coolest guy alive. Hell he had the attention of Bo Derek the hottest woman alive. I been all over the internet trying to get tidbits on what Miles might be up to he hasn’t done nothing in over a decade and there’s really no information on him. If anyone has an inkling of his whereabouts and how he is doing and what he’s up to these days please share.

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