Landham also starred in, produced, and directed the 1996 film Billy Lone Bear. His acting career started out when he appeared in pornographic films. Landham served three years in prison when he was convicted of making threatening and obscene phone calls. He later became a politician, running for Governor of Kentucky and U.S. Senate. Sonny Landham passed away on August 17, 2017 at 76 years old from congestive heart failure.