George Dunn (actor)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification.(April 2009) |
George Dunn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ollen George Dunn (1914-11-23)November 23, 1914Brownwood, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 27, 1982(1982-04-27) (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | George E. Dunn |
| Occupations | Actor, humorist |
| Years active | 1953–1980 |
Born Ollen George Dunn (November 23, 1914 – April 27, 1982) was an American actor, humorist, vaudeville performer, and satirist born in Brownwood, Texas. He often portrayed Western characters in film and television. His homespun wit, rope tricks, and satirizing of American life, politics, and sports reflected the strong influence Will Rogers had on him as an entertainer.[1]
Career
Dunn made his way to New York City to perform in vaudeville. From there, he went on to Hollywood, where he appeared in twenty five motion pictures and more than one hundred television shows. Some of his appearances were uncredited bit parts.
Dunn predominantly appeared in minor supporting roles during his television and film career.[2] One of his major roles was "The Prophet" in Operation Petticoat, alongside Tony Curtis and Gavin MacLeod. Dunn also appeared in several other well-known films, including Giant, Inherit the Wind, The Long, Hot Summer, The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm, and Shenandoah. In another phase of his career, he appeared in a number of John Cassavetes films, including Faces and A Woman Under the Influence. Like John Wayne's, Dunn's final role was in The Shootist. In addition to his film work, Dunn appeared in many popular television shows throughout the mid '50s, '60s, and '70s, such as The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza,The Beverly Hillbillies, My Favorite Martian, and Starsky and Hutch. He also appeared in the Off-Broadway production of The Rainmaker in 1954.[3]
While George Dunn never attained celebrity status, his long and steady acting career allowed him to travel around the world three times, visiting 95 countries. His world travels provided him with much fodder for humorous storytelling and entertaining after-dinner speaking engagements.
Death
Dunn died on April 27, 1982 at West Hills Hospital in Los Angeles, California after a long illness. He was 67 years old.[4]
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes and references |
| 1953 | How to Marry a Millionaire | Mike - Elevator Operator | [5] |
| 1955 | Prince of Players | Doorman | [6] |
| Daddy Long Legs | Chauffeur | [5] | |
| Good Morning, Miss Dove | Bert, the Janitor | Uncredited | |
| 1956 | The Lieutenant Wore Skirts | Base mail clerk | Uncredited |
| Ransom! | Bank clerk | UncreditedAlternative title: Fearful Decision | |
| Away All Boats | Gilbert Hubert | [7] | |
| Giant | Vern Decker | [8] | |
| 1957 | The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm | George | |
| Joe Dakota | Jim Baldwin | ||
| 1958 | The Long, Hot Summer | Peabody | [9] |
| 1959 | Operation Petticoat | The Prophet | |
| 1960 | Wake Me When It's Over | Staff Photographer | Uncredited |
| Inherit the Wind | Banker - Critic at City Meeting | Uncredited | |
| 1962 | The Silent Witness | ||
| 1965 | Baby the Rain Must Fall | Counterman | [10] |
| 1968 | Faces | Comedian | [11] |
| 1969 | The Good Guys and the Bad Guys | Engineer #1 | |
| 1971 | The Beguiled | Sam Jefferson | |
| 1973 | Stand Up and Be Counted | Policeman | Uncredited |
| The Severed Arm | Harry the Janitor | ||
| 1974 | A Woman Under the Influence | Garson Cross | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes and references |
| 1958 | The Adventures of Jim Bowie | Davy Crockett | Episode "A Night in Tennessee"[12] |
| 1958-1959 | Cimarron City | Jesse Williams | Main cast member[13] |
| 1959 | The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor | Sooky | 1 episode |
| The Alaskans | Stampede Pete | 1 episode | |
| 1960 | Harrigan and Son | Detective | 1 episode |
| 1960–1961 | The Andy Griffith Show | Pete | 3 episodes |
| 1961 | My Three Sons | Listener | 1 episode |
| The Aquanauts | Chuck | 1 episode | |
| Ben Casey | 1 episode | ||
| 1961–1971 | Bonanza | Drunk #2Andy | 2 episodes |
| 1962 | Ripcord | John Chapman | 1 episode |
| Lawman | 1 episode | ||
| The Virginian | Biggs | 1 episode | |
| 1962–1963 | The Lloyd Bridges Show | Leo | 2 episodes |
| 1963 | The Great Adventure | Farmer | 1 episode |
| Wagon Train | Jones | 1 episode | |
| 1964 | My Favorite Martian | Mr. Edgar Graham | 1 episode |
| 1965 | Camp Runamuck | The Sheriff | Main cast member[13] |
| 1967 | Stranger on the Run | Pilney | Television movieAlternative title: Lonesome Gun |
| 1968 | Felony Squad | Watchman | 1 episode |
| 1969 | The Beverly Hillbillies | Bailiff | 1 episode |
| Adam-12 | Danny Bryant | 1 episode | |
| 1970 | The Doris Day Show | Hillbilly | Episode "The Duke Returns"[14] |
| 1972 | Mannix | Customer | 1 episode |
| 1976 | Starsky and Hutch | Officer O' Keefe | 1 episode |
| 1978 | The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries | Bellman | 1 episode |
| Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape Kid | Jim Haggerty | Television movie | |
| 1980 | The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo | Fire chief | 1 episode, (final appearance) |
References
- ^"Greenleaf Musings: George Dunn, Hollywood Actor 1914-1982". Brownwood News. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ^Aaker, Everett (2024). "George Dunn". Television Western Players of the Fifties: A Biographical Encyclopedia of All Regular Cast Members in Western Series, 1949-1959. McFarland & Company. p. 177. ISBN 9781476606354.
- ^"George Dunn - Actor Filmography، photos، Video". elCinema.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ^"George Dunn". Abilene Reporter-News. April 30, 1982. p. 6C.
- ^ abCapua, Michelangelo (2017). Jean Negulesco: The Life and Films. McFarland & Company. pp. 164, 170. ISBN 9781476627526.
- ^Reinhart, Mark S. (2024). Abraham Lincoln on Screen: Live-Action Portrayals on Film and Television, 3d Ed. McFarland & Company. p. 136. ISBN 9781476651873.
- ^Wells, Jeff (2005). Jeff Chandler: Film, Record, Radio, Television and Theater Performances. McFarland & Company. p. 91. ISBN 9780786420018.
- ^Howlett, John. James Dean: A Biography. Plexus Publishing. p. 175. ISBN 978-0859653633.
- ^O'Brien, Daniel (2005). Paul Newman. Faber & Faber. pp. 316–317. ISBN 978-0571219872.
- ^Foote, Horton. Castleberry, Marion (ed.). Genesis of an American Playwright. Baylor University Press. p. 257. ISBN 978-0918954916.
- ^Monush, Barry (2009). Everybody's Talkin': The Top Films of 1965-1969. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 286. ISBN 978-1557836182.
- ^Andreychuk, Ed (2005). American frontiersmen on film and television : Boone, Crockett, Bowie, Houston, Bridger, and Carson. McFarland & Company. p. 80. ISBN 9780786421329.
- ^ abBrooks, Tim (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV shows, 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. pp. 213, 254. ISBN 9780345455420.
- ^Patrick, Pierre (2006). Que Sera, Sera: The Magic of Doris Day Through Television. BearManor Media. pp. 125–126. ISBN 9781593930561.
External links
- George Dunn at IMDb
- George Dunn at the TCM Movie Database
