Denver Pyle Biography (1920-1997)

Born May 11, 1920, in Bethune, CO; died of lung cancer, December 25, 1997, inBurbank, CA; children: David, Tony.

Nationality
American
Gender
Male
Birth Details
May 11, 1920
Bethune, Colorado, United States
Death Details
December 25, 1997
Burbank, California, United States

Famous Works

  • Credits; Film Appearances
  • (Film debut) Masher, The Guild of Janet Ames, Columbia, 1947.
  • Carl, Devil Ship, Columbia, 1947.
  • Jim "Rocky" Rockwell, Where the North Begins, Screen Guild, 1947.
  • Easy Jarrett, The Man from Colorado, Columbia, 1948.
  • Night Clerk, Marshal of Amarillo, Republic Pictures, 1948.
  • Hutchins, Train to Alcatraz, Republic Pictures, 1948.
  • Lytz, Flame of Youth, Republic Pictures, 1949.
  • Rex, Hellfire, Elliot-McGowan/Republic Pictures, 1949.
  • Hutch, Red Canyon, Universal, 1949.
  • Ed Quinn, Streets of San Francisco, Republic Pictures, 1949.
  • Youth at Union Station, Too Late for Tears (also known as Killer Bait), United Artists, 1949.
  • Rim of the Canyon, Columbia, 1949.
  • Al, Customs Agent, Columbia, 1950.
  • Whip, Dynamite Pass, RKO Radio Pictures, 1950.
  • "Jumpy" Jordon, Federal Agent at Large, Republic Pictures, 1950.
  • Turner, The Flying Saucer, Colonial/Film Classics, 1950.
  • George, The Old Frontier, Republic Pictures, 1950.
  • Bowie French, Hills of Utah, Columbia, 1951.
  • Nick Algren, Million Dollar Pursuit, Republic Pictures, 1951.
  • Lacey, Rough Riders of Durango, Republic Pictures, 1951.
  • Allen, Desert Passage, RKO Radio Pictures, 1952.
  • Niko, The Lusty Men, RKO Radio Pictures, 1952.
  • Hartley, The Man from Black Hills, Silvermine/Monogram, 1952.
  • Bud Karnes, The Maverick, Silvermine/Allied Artists, 1952.
  • Skip, Oklahoma Annie, Republic Pictures, 1952.
  • Canyon Ambush, Monogram, 1952.
  • Fargo, Monogram, 1952.
  • Vigilante Terror, Westwood/Allied Artists, 1953.
  • Bernie Malloy, Goldtown Ghost Riders, Columbia, 1953.
  • Bartender, A Perilous Journey, Republic Pictures, 1953.
  • Greeley, Rebel City, Silvermine/Allied Artists, 1953.
  • Tench, Texas Bad Man, Allied Artists, 1953.
  • Jonas Bailey, Topeka, Westwood/Allied Artists, 1953.
  • Reverend Moorehead, Ride Clear of Diablo, Universal, 1954.
  • Posseman, Johnny Guitar, Republic Pictures, 1954.
  • Clint Reno, Rage at Dawn (also known as Seven Bad Men), RKO Radio Pictures, 1955.
  • Harvey, Run for Cover, Paramount, 1955.
  • Dave Weed, Ten Wanted Men, Ranown/Columbia, 1955.
  • Thompson, To Hell and Back, Universal, 1955.
  • Top Gun, Fame/United Artists, 1955.
  • Yaqui Drums, Allied Artists, 1956.
  • Jim Bailey, I Killed Wild Bill Hickok, Wheeler, 1956.
  • Bert Killian, The Naked Hills, La Salle/Allied Artists, 1956.
  • Lieutenant Bradley, Please Murder Me, Distributors Corporation of America, 1956.
  • Dixon, Seventh Cavalry, Columbia, 1956.
  • Mickey Hill, Destination 60,000, Allied Artists, 1957.
  • Bill Dragger, Domino Kid, Columbia, 1957.
  • Ranger Captain, Gun Duel in Durango (also known as Duel in Durango), Peerless/United Artists, 1957.
  • Mr. Simpson, Jet Pilot, RKO Radio Pictures/Universal, 1957.
  • Sheriff, The Lonely Man, Paramount, 1957.
  • Colonel Wiley, China Doll, United Artists, 1958.
  • Collins, Fort Massacre, United Artists, 1958.
  • Moore, Good Day for Hanging, Columbia, 1958.
  • Ollinger, The Left-Handed Gun, Warner Bros., 1958.
  • Mr. Bickford, The Party Crashers, Paramount, 1958.
  • Harrison, Cast a Long Shadow, United Artists, 1959.
  • Jagger Jo, The Horse Soldiers, Mirisch/United Artists, 1959.
  • Doc, King of the Wild Stallions, Allied Artists, 1959.
  • Thimblerig, the Gambler, The Alamo, Batjac/United Artists, 1960.
  • Senator Conrad, Geronimo, United Artists, 1962.
  • Amos Carruthers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, Ford/Paramount, 1962.
  • Sheriff, Terrified, Bern-Field/Crown, 1963.
  • Senator Henry, Cheyennne Autumn, Warner Bros., 1964.
  • Preacher Pope, Mail Order Bride (also known as West of Montana), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1964.
  • Sheriff, The Great Race, Warner Bros., 1965.
  • Bull, The Rounders, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1965.
  • Pastor Bjoerling, Shenandoah, Universal, 1965.
  • Captain Hold, Gunpoint, Universal, 1966.
  • First hunter, Incident at Phantom Hill, Universal, 1966.
  • Kelly, Mara of the Wilderness (also known as Valley of the White Wolves),Unicorn/Allied Artists, 1966.
  • Frank Hamer, Bonnie and Clyde, Warner Bros., 1967.
  • Grandpa, Tammy and the Millionaire, Uni-Bet/Universal, 1967.
  • Alfie, Welcome to Hard Times (also known as Killer on a Horse), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1967.
  • Muncie Carter, Bandolero!, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1968.
  • Sig Evers, Five Card Stud, Paramount, 1968.
  • Junior Frisbee, Something Big, Stanmore Penbar/National General, 1971.
  • Grandpappy John, Who Fears the Devil (also known as The Legend of Hillbilly John; My Name Is John), Two's Company/Jack H, 1972.
  • Denver Cahill, Cahill: United States Marshal (also known as Cahill and Wednesday Morning) Warner Bros., 1973.
  • Uncle Bene, Escape to Witch Mountain, Buena Vista, 1975.
  • Old Mountainman, The Adventures of Frontier Fremont, Sun Classics, 1976.
  • McLaughlin, Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull's History Lesson, United Artists, 1976.
  • Colonel Seymour Hawkins, Hawmps!, Mulberry Square, 1976.
  • Carl Barber, Welcome to L.A., United Artists, 1976.
  • Arkansas, Winter Hawk, Howco International, 1976.
  • Galen Clark, Guardian of the Wilderness (also known as Mountain Man), Sunn Classic, 1977.
  • Uncle Bene, Return from Witch Mountain, Buena Vista, 1978.
  • Walt, Delta Fever, 1987.
  • Old Gambler, Maverick, Warner Bros., 1994.
  • Credits; Television Appearances; Series
  • The Roy Rogers Show, CBS, 1951-64.
  • Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universal, NBC, 1953.
  • Ben Thompson, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (also known as Wyatt Earp) ABC, 1955-56.
  • Sergeant Murchison, Code Three, syndicated, 1957.
  • Briscoe Darling, The Andy Griffith Show, CBS, 1960-68.
  • Grandpa Tarleton, Tammy, ABC, 1965-66.
  • Buck Webb, The Doris Day Show, CBS, 1968-70.
  • Uncle Duncan, Here Come the Brides, ABC, 1968-70.
  • Dale Busch, Karen, ABC, 1975.
  • Mad Jack, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, NBC, 1977-78.
  • Uncle Jesse Duke, The Dukes of Hazzard, CBS, 1979-85.
  • Voice of Uncle Jesse, host, and narrator, The Dukes (animated), CBS, 1983.
  • Title role, Podunk Possom, 1997.
  • Credits; Television Appearances; Pilots
  • Ben Bridgeman, Hitched (also known as Westward the Wagon), NBC, 1973.
  • Drunk, Sidekicks, CBS, 1974.
  • Morgan Luke Evans, Mrs. R--Death among Friends (also known as Death amongFriends), NBC, 1975.
  • Credits; Television Appearances; Episodic
  • Deputy Sheriff, The Lone Ranger, ABC, 1950.
  • "The Boston Tea Party," You Are There, CBS, 1953.
  • "Hands across the Border," Wild Bill Hickock, syndicated, 1953.
  • Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson, syndicated, 1953.
  • Medic, NBC, 1954-56.
  • "The Hoax of Cardiff Giant (February 2, 1870)," You Are There CBS, 1955.
  • "Washington Crosses the Delaware (December 25, 1776)," You Are There, CBS, 1955.
  • Crossroads, ABC, 1955-57.
  • "The Great Comstock Silver Strike (October 29, 1873)," You Are There, CBS, 1956.
  • Willie Calhoun, "Poor Pearl," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1956.
  • Hank Shinn, "Liar from Blackhawk," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1957.
  • "Blood in the Dust," Zane Grey Theater, CBS, 1957.
  • "The Stranger," Zane Grey Theater, CBS, 1958.
  • Robert Crane, "The Case of the Deadly Double," Perry Mason, CBS, 1958.
  • "A Thread of Respect," Zane Grey Theater, CBS, 1959.
  • Mike Blocker, "The Bear," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1959.
  • "Family Pride," Maverick, ABC, 1960.
  • "A Small Town That Died," Zane Grey Theater, CBS, 1960.
  • "The Legend of Tom Horn," Wichita Town, NBC, 1960.
  • Gus Mather, "The Wake," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1960.
  • Thriller, NBC, 1960-62.
  • "The Empty Shell," Zane Grey Theater, CBS, 1961.
  • Tilden Stuart, "The Case of the Jealous Journalist," Perry Mason, CBS, 1961.
  • Emery Fillmore, "The Case of the Renegade Refugee," Perry Mason, CBS, 1961.
  • Kraft Mystery Theater, NBC, 1961-63.
  • "Little Man-Ten Feet Tall," Bonanza, NBC, 1962.
  • "The Boss," Bonanza, NBC, 1962.
  • "A Hot Day for a Hanging," Bonanza, NBC, 1962.
  • Black Jack Haggen, "Us Haggens," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1962.
  • "Vengeance Is the Spur," The Virginian, NBC, 1962.
  • Uncle George, "Uncle George," The Dick Van Dyke Show, CBS, 1963.
  • "Bullet for a Bride," Bonanza, NBC, 1963.
  • Frank Honer, "The Case of the Shifty Shoebox," Perry Mason, CBS, 1963.
  • Aaron Larker, "The Odyssey of Jubal Tanner," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1963.
  • Stu, "Black Leather Jackets," The Twilight Zone, CBS, 1964.
  • Phineas Fallon, "The Case for William Gotch," Temple Houston, NBC, 1964.
  • Pa Ginnis, "No Hands," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1964.
  • Caleb Nash, "The Violators," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1964.
  • Claudius, "Deputy Festus," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1965.
  • Clab Chummer, "By Line," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1966.
  • Jackson Sidemark, "The Case of the Final Fadeout," Perry Mason, CBS, 1966.
  • Caleb Nash, "The Goldtakers," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1966.
  • Doctor Rand, "Mad Dog," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1967.
  • Judge Blent, "Baker's Dozen," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1967.
  • "The Passing of a King," Bonanza, NBC, 1968.
  • Buchanan, "The Wagon," Bonanza, NBC, 1970.
  • "Riot," Bonanza, NBC, 1972.
  • "The Reunion," The Waltons, CBS, 1972.
  • "The Ancient Warrior," Kung Fu, ABC, 1973.
  • "Shadler," Gunsmoke, CBS, 1973.
  • Sheriff, "Duel in the Desert," Cannon, CBS, 1974.
  • "Crossties," Kung Fu, ABC, 1974.
  • Eben Connors, "Coal Miner's Daughter," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1988.
  • Blackie Callahan, "I Dream of Jeannie," Dallas, CBS, 1990.
  • Blackie Callahan, "After Midnight," Dallas, CBS, 1990.
  • Himself and Farmer Johnson, "Bringing Home the Bacon," Cybill, CBS, 1996.
  • Credits; Television Appearances; Movies
  • Amos Chapman, Murder or Mercy, ABC, 1974.
  • Briscoe Darling, Return to Mayberry, NBC, 1986.
  • George Rosebrock, Father and Scout, ABC, 1994.
  • Uncle Jesse Duke, Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!, CBS, 1997.
  • Credits; Television Appearances; Specials
  • Dean Martin's Celebrity Roast: Dan Haggerty, NBC, 1977.
  • When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion, ABC, 1979.
  • Randy Travis--Happy Trails, 1991.
  • Wind in the Wire, ABC, 1993.
  • Host, Great American Music: A Salute to Fast Cars, The Family Channel, 1994.
  • Credits; Television Work
  • Director, The Doris Day Show (episodes), CBS, 1968-73.
  • Director, Dirty Sally (episodes), CBS, 1974.
  • Director, The Dukes of Hazzard (episodes), CBS, 1979-85.
  • Writings;Teleplays
  • (With Calvin Clements, Jay Simms, Leonard Katzman, Dale Eunson, and JohnMantley) Dirty Sally (episodes), CBS, 1974.

Further Reference

Periodicals:

  • Entertainment Weekly, January 9, 1998, p. 14.
  • Independent, December 30, 1997, p. 16.