Actor. He is best known for his character portrayals in numerous B-western films. He was born in Richmond, Virginia and spent his early years in Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma. He began his early career in vaudeville, working as a harmonica and xylophone player in New York City. He made his film debut in the 1938 motion picture "You Can't Take It With You." During his career he appeared in over 150 motion pictures spanning 60 years as an actor. His notable film credits include: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), "The Lone Prairie" (1942), "Riders of the Northwest Mounted" (1943), "The Last Horseman" (1944), "Song of the Drifter" (1948), "Oklahoma Blues" (1948), "Across the Rio Grande" (1949), "Them" (1954), "Dragnet" (1954), "A Star is Born" (1954), "No Time for Sergeants" (1958), "The Hallelujah Trail" (1965), "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967), "The Shakiest Gun in the West" (1968), "The Wild Bunch" (1969), "Evel Knievel" (1971), "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" (1973), "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" (1974), "1941" (1979), "Used Cars" (1980), "The Best of Times" (1986), "Back to the Future Part III" (1990) and "Maverick" (1994). He also appeared as the recurring character "Cannonball" in nearly 50 western films shot during the 1940's. His notable television guest appearances include: "The Andy Griffith Show," "I Love Lucy," "Dennis the Menace," "My Favorite Martian," "77 Sunset Strip," "Death Valley Days," "The Wild Wild West," "Gunsmoke," "The Odd Couple," "Bonanza," "Love American Style," "Emergency!," "Designing Women" and "Little House on the Prairie." He died from congestive heart failure at the age of 87 in Los Angeles, California.
Actor. He is best known for his character portrayals in numerous B-western films. He was born in Richmond, Virginia and spent his early years in Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma. He began his early career in vaudeville, working as a harmonica and xylophone player in New York City. He made his film debut in the 1938 motion picture "You Can't Take It With You." During his career he appeared in over 150 motion pictures spanning 60 years as an actor. His notable film credits include: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), "The Lone Prairie" (1942), "Riders of the Northwest Mounted" (1943), "The Last Horseman" (1944), "Song of the Drifter" (1948), "Oklahoma Blues" (1948), "Across the Rio Grande" (1949), "Them" (1954), "Dragnet" (1954), "A Star is Born" (1954), "No Time for Sergeants" (1958), "The Hallelujah Trail" (1965), "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967), "The Shakiest Gun in the West" (1968), "The Wild Bunch" (1969), "Evel Knievel" (1971), "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" (1973), "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" (1974), "1941" (1979), "Used Cars" (1980), "The Best of Times" (1986), "Back to the Future Part III" (1990) and "Maverick" (1994). He also appeared as the recurring character "Cannonball" in nearly 50 western films shot during the 1940's. His notable television guest appearances include: "The Andy Griffith Show," "I Love Lucy," "Dennis the Menace," "My Favorite Martian," "77 Sunset Strip," "Death Valley Days," "The Wild Wild West," "Gunsmoke," "The Odd Couple," "Bonanza," "Love American Style," "Emergency!," "Designing Women" and "Little House on the Prairie." He died from congestive heart failure at the age of 87 in Los Angeles, California.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
Family Members
Advertisement
