Carlos Alan Autry Jr., widely known simply as Alan Autry, is a multi-talented American figure whose career spans professional athletics, acting, film production, and municipal politics. Born on July 31, 1952, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Autry achieved widespread national recognition for playing the iconic role of Captain Bubba Skinner on the hit NBC and CBS police procedural drama series In the Heat of the Night. Beyond his Hollywood footprint, Autry transitioned into public service, serving as the 23rd Republican Mayor of Fresno, California, from 2001 to 2009.
Quick Facts: Alan Autry Bio
- Full Name: Carlos Alan Autry Jr. (formerly known professionally as Carlos Brown)
- Date of Birth: July 31, 1952
- Place of Birth: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
- Age: 74 Years Old
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Height: 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm)
- Profession: Actor, Politician, Former NFL Quarterback, Radio Host, Producer
- Political Party: Republican
- Net Worth: Estimated at $3 Million
Early Life, Parents, and Childhood
Alan Autry was born to Carl Autry and Verna Brown in Shreveport, Louisiana. His parents divorced when he was roughly a year old. Following the separation, Autry moved with his mother to central California. His last name was legally changed to Brown after his mother married her second husband, Joe Duty, when Alan was six years old.
Growing up in difficult economic circumstances, Autry worked as a migrant field worker alongside his parents and stepfather in California’s San Joaquin Valley, planting and harvesting grapes, cotton, and other crops.
At age 12, he relocated with his family to Riverdale, California, attending Riverdale High School. Standing out as an exceptional athlete, he starred as the quarterback for the Riverdale Cowboys football team, graduating in 1970. He became the first person in his family to attend college, earning an athletic scholarship to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where he played quarterback and tight end and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Football Career: From Riverdale to the NFL
Though initially considering a career in education, Autry pursued professional football after college. In the 1975 NFL Draft, he was selected in the 12th round by the Green Bay Packers. During the 1976 season, he started three games at quarterback as a replacement for the injured starter Lynn Dickey.
Known during his brief athletic career by his birth name, Carlos Brown, his time in the NFL concluded after coach Bart Starr released him in 1977. He subsequently played for the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL) during the 1978 season before transitioning permanently into the entertainment industry.
Acting Career, Movies, and TV Shows
Following the conclusion of his football days, Autry leveraged his Hollywood connections to launch an acting career. He made his feature film debut in Robert Altman’s 1978 motion picture Remember My Name. During the early stage of his acting journey, he went by the name Carlos Brown and appeared in notable films such as the sports drama North Dallas Forty (1979), Robert Altman’s Popeye (1980), and the action thriller Southern Comfort (1981).
While filming Southern Comfort on location in Shreveport in 1982, Autry looked up his biological father, Carl Autry Sr., in the telephone book and met him for the very first time. Following this reconnection, he decided to drop the surname Brown and his first name Carlos, formally adopting his middle name Alan and his paternal surname, Autry.
Throughout the 1980s, Autry made guest appearances on major television programs, including Cheers, The A-Team, The Dukes of Hazzard, Newhart, and Hunter. His career-defining role arrived in 1988 when he was cast as the loyal, small-town Mississippi police officer Captain Bubba Skinner in In the Heat of the Night, starring opposite Carroll O’Connor. Autry played the character through its entire run until 1995.
Following In the Heat of the Night, Autry starred as Rick Bradshaw in the ABC sitcom Grace Under Fire from 1995 to 1996. In 1997, he established his own production company, Dirt Road Productions, through which he wrote, produced, and directed the independent Western film The Legend of Jake Kincaid (2002).
Notable Filmography and Television Credits
- Remember My Name (1978)
- North Dallas Forty (1979)
- Popeye (1980)
- Southern Comfort (1981)
- Brewster’s Millions (1985)
- Amazing Grace and Chuck (1987)
- In the Heat of the Night (1988-1995) as Captain Bubba Skinner
- Grace Under Fire (1995-1996) as Rick Bradshaw
- The Legend of Jake Kincaid (2002) – Director, Writer, Producer
- Hart of Dixie (2005) – Guest Appearance
Political Career: Mayor of Fresno
Stepping away from full-time acting, Autry entered local politics as a Republican. In November 2000, he was elected as the 23rd Mayor of Fresno, California. He assumed office on January 5, 2001, and successfully won re-election in 2004, serving two complete four-year terms until January 2009.
As mayor, Autry gained a reputation for fiscal conservatism, strong law-and-order policies, and an active focus on combating homelessness and revitalizing the city’s infrastructure. In 2006, then-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Autry to the California State Film Commission.
After completing his tenure at City Hall, Autry hosted a daily news talk radio show on KYNO AM 940 in Fresno from 2008 until 2011. He also collaborated with his former co-star Randall Franks on musical and charitable projects, producing Americana, gospel, and country music recordings to raise funds for drug abuse prevention programs.
Personal Life, Wife, and Children
Alan Autry has experienced two marriages:
- First Marriage: Autry married his first wife, Vicky Brown, on July 21, 1980. They had one daughter, Lauren Autry, born in 1981. The couple divorced on June 26, 1986. Following personal struggles with substance abuse during the mid-1980s, Autry became a born-again Christian and dedicated much of his time to charitable causes and faith-based initiatives.
- Second Marriage: Autry married his second wife, Kimberlee Autry, on August 19, 1994. The couple shares a son named Austin Autry, born in 1996. Alan is also the stepfather to Kimberlee’s daughter from a previous relationship, Heather Autry, born in 1986.
Several of Autry’s children have followed him into entertainment ventures. His daughter Lauren appeared in an episode of In the Heat of the Night and joined her parents and brother Austin in the 2002 independent film The Legend of Jake Kincaid. His stepdaughter Heather also made an appearance on Grace Under Fire in 1993.
Net Worth
Industry analyses and biographical estimates place Alan Autry’s net worth at approximately $3 Million. His wealth stems from his successful television salary during his extensive run on In the Heat of the Night, his previous career as a professional football player, film production ventures, and his professional endeavors in municipal government and radio broadcasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alan Autry best known for?
Alan Autry is best known for playing Captain Bubba Skinner on the hit television series In the Heat of the Night and for serving two terms as the Mayor of Fresno, California, from 2001 to 2009.
How tall is Alan Autry?
Alan Autry stands at 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) tall.
Who is Alan Autry married to?
Alan Autry is married to his second wife, Kimberlee Autry, whom he wed in 1994. He was previously married to Vicky Brown from 1980 until their divorce in 1986.
How many children does Alan Autry have?
He has two biological children-daughter Lauren and son Austin-and is stepfather to Kimberlee’s daughter, Heather.
Did Alan Autry play in the NFL?
Yes. After playing college football at the University of the Pacific, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1975 and served as a backup and starting quarterback during the 1976 season under the name Carlos Brown.
What is Alan Autry’s net worth?
Alan Autry has an estimated net worth of $3 million, accumulated through his acting career, professional sports background, and political service.
