Where Are They Now? Alan Autry and Bubba Skinner from In the Heat of the Night

He was best known for playing Captain Bubba Skinner on the 1980's television show In the Heat of the Night. Alan Autry also briefly played as a backup and starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers in the 1970's. He is currently serving his second term as mayor of Fresno, California. Alan Autry has worn many hats, and many would consider his life in the past, as an actor, or now, as a mayor, to be a success. He says, however, his faith is the most important thing to him and what makes him a success as a person.

When he was growing up, Alan Autry worked the fields on a farm in the very place he would later become mayor. He longed for more in life, however, and believed college would help him obtain that. He obtained a scholarship to the University of Pacific and contained to play quarterback, as he had in high school. At one point, he was the tenth rated passer in the nation, but he blew his knee out.

Despite his injury, Alan Autry was drafted by the Green Bay packers, based on the success of his sophomore season. His success was not to last long, however. He played three seasons. While he had been a backup, when the starter was injured, Autry went in.

Autry says he did not have the maturity or discipline to play in the National Football League. He was cut. Autry said he was scared for the first time in his life-scared of working 16 hours a day in the fields on a farm, like his father, scared of working for $2.20 an hour, scared of getting emphysema, and scared of getting poor treatment at a hospital because he could not afford insurance.

Not knowing what to do, Alan Autry turned to acting. He went to Hollywood, but his life was affected more and more by alcohol. Alcoholism ran in the family. Autry says he also started to take drugs. He battled alcohol and drugs for six of the next nine years.