[1] He was best known for his role as Cholla, the leader of the motorcycle gang the Black Widows in the Clint Eastwood films Every Which Way but Loose (1978) and its sequel Any Which Way You Can (1980).

Due to Quade's gruff look, he usually played roles as a brutish villain or ruthless authority figure.

He appeared opposite Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter,[4] The Outlaw Josey Wales,[1] Every Which Way but Loose,[1] and Any Which Way You Can.

[1] Quade's wife stated that, "Clint hired him for his face and told him afterward that he felt like he got a bonus because John could act.

On August 9, 2009, John Quade died at his home in Rosamond, California, at the age of 71 due to a heart attack while sleeping.