At the beginning of the film, Ray Bones has two thugs with him; one of them is played by actor Ernest "Chili '' Palmer. Palmer was author Elmore Leonard 's model for the character in the book. According to a newspaper article, he claims not to have been involved with gangsters or loan sharking. When the filmmakers found out from Leonard that there was a real "Chili '' Palmer, they gave him a bit part in the film.
who was offered the role of chili palmer
Ernest "Chili '' Palmer