George Dunn (actor)

George Dunn
Born
Ollen George Dunn

(1914-11-23)November 23, 1914
Brownwood, Texas, U.S.
DiedApril 27, 1982(1982-04-27) (aged 67)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesGeorge E. Dunn
OccupationsActor, humorist
Years active1953–1980

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 Uncredited
Alternative 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 #2
Andy 		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 movie
Alternative 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

  1. ^ "Greenleaf Musings: George Dunn, Hollywood Actor 1914-1982". Brownwood News. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "George Dunn - Actor Filmography، photos، Video". elCinema.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  4. ^ "George Dunn". Abilene Reporter-News. April 30, 1982. p. 6C.
  5. ^ a b Capua, Michelangelo (2017). Jean Negulesco: The Life and Films. McFarland & Company. pp. 164, 170. ISBN 9781476627526.
  6. ^ Reinhart, Mark S. (2024). Abraham Lincoln on Screen: Live-Action Portrayals on Film and Television, 3d Ed. McFarland & Company. p. 136. ISBN 9781476651873.
  7. ^ Wells, Jeff (2005). Jeff Chandler: Film, Record, Radio, Television and Theater Performances. McFarland & Company. p. 91. ISBN 9780786420018.
  8. ^ Howlett, John. James Dean: A Biography. Plexus Publishing. p. 175. ISBN 978-0859653633.
  9. ^ O'Brien, Daniel (2005). Paul Newman. Faber & Faber. pp. 316–317. ISBN 978-0571219872.
  10. ^ Foote, Horton. Castleberry, Marion (ed.). Genesis of an American Playwright. Baylor University Press. p. 257. ISBN 978-0918954916.
  11. ^ Monush, Barry (2009). Everybody's Talkin': The Top Films of 1965-1969. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 286. ISBN 978-1557836182.
  12. ^ Andreychuk, Ed (2005). American frontiersmen on film and television : Boone, Crockett, Bowie, Houston, Bridger, and Carson. McFarland & Company. p. 80. ISBN 9780786421329.
  13. ^ a b Brooks, Tim (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV shows, 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. pp. 213, 254. ISBN 9780345455420.
  14. ^ Patrick, Pierre (2006). Que Sera, Sera: The Magic of Doris Day Through Television. BearManor Media. pp. 125–126. ISBN 9781593930561.
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