Dennis Weaver
Biography
Dennis Weaver was an American actor whose television and film work began in the early 1950s and continued almost until his death in 2006. Born in Joplin, Missouri, he studied at the Actors Studio and then obtained a contract with Universal Studios in 1952, making his film debut in The Redhead from Wyoming. His breakthrough was Chester Goode, the limping deputy on Gunsmoke, a part that brought him an Emmy Award in 1959. He later starred as Sam McCloud in McCloud, receiving two more Emmy nominations. On film he played the twitchy motel attendant in Orson Welles's Touch of Evil (1958), had a significant role in Duel at Diablo (1966), and starred in Steven Spielberg's Duel (1971). He also recorded albums and led the Screen Actors Guild from 1973 to 1975.
81years old at death
- Born Joplin
- Died Ridgway
- Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20
- William Dennis Weaver (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 15
- Career span
- 42 years1952 to 1994
First and latest
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A change of course
Under the name Billy D. Weaver, he competed for a spot on the 1948 U.S. Olympic decathlon team and came in sixth behind Bob Mathias, a 17-year-old high school track star. Only the top three finishers made the team.
First role
Weaver's first Broadway part was understudying Lonny Chapman as Turk Fisher in Come Back, Little Sheba. Later, in the national touring company, Weaver replaced Chapman in the role.
Big break
Weaver landed the role of Chester Goode on Gunsmoke while delivering flowers, and it became his big break on the show that ran from 1955 to 1975.
Getting ready for a role
A producer told Weaver that sidekicks normally have a diminishing trait that leaves them less heroic than the star. To hold onto the part, Weaver, a college decathlon champion, chose a stiff leg, which he called simple and consistent.
Big break
Steven Spielberg selected Weaver for the 1971 television movie Duel based on the intensity of Weaver's earlier performance in Touch of Evil.
Beyond film
Weaver released his eponymous Im'press Records LP in 1972, the first of seven albums he recorded, with a cover featuring a portrait of him in character as McCloud.
Dennis Weaver movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Touch of Evil1958 Crime, Drama, Film-Noir, Thrilleras Mirador Motel Night Manager
IMDb rating 7.9116K votes
Most often with
John McIntire appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
John McIntire's page
James Garner's page
Rock Hudson's page
Lee Van Cleef's page
Richard Boone's page
Timothy Carey's page
Also two films together3 more actors
- Tom PowersTen Wanted Men (1955) and Horizons West (1952)
- Julie AdamsHorizons West (1952) and The Lawless Breed (1952)
- John HubbardDuel at Diablo (1966) and Horizons West (1952)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Three awards and honors from 1959 to 1987, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1959 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Gunsmoke | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| 1987 | Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award | Won | |
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.