Dennis Letts

Dennis Letts (September 5, 1934 – February 22, 2008) was an American college professor, and later, in a second career, an actor. As the latter, he originated the critically successful role of Beverly Weston in the Steppenwolf Theatre Company production of the Tony-winning play August: Osage County in the summer of 2007, the writing of which had earned his son, Tracy Letts, a Pulitzer prize.[1]

Dennis Letts
Born	(1934-09-05)September 5, 1934 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	February 22, 2008(2008-02-22) (aged 73) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Occupation	Educator, actor
Spouse(s)	Billie Gipson ​ ( m. 1958)
Children	3, sons Dana, Tracy, and Shawn

Early life

Dennis Letts was born in Oklahoma City on September 5, 1934.[2] He grew up with his parents, Hazel (Brady) and Charles Haskell Letts, in Wagoner, Oklahoma.[3] He graduated from Wagoner High School in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation, where he served until 1956.[2]

Letts received his bachelor's degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, thanks to the G.I. Bill. He went on to earn his master's degree from the University of Tulsa and his doctorate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also earned a Fulbright Scholarship.[2]

Letts married his wife, novelist Billie Gipson, in 1958; the couple had three sons: Dana, Tracy (a playwright), and Shawn (a jazz musician/composer).[2][4][5]

Career

Letts spent much of his professional career as a writing and English professor.[1] He taught for more than thirty years, mostly as a faculty member at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma.[1]

Letts first began acting at the relatively late age of 50 years.[6][7] Letts first started performing at university and community theaters while still working as a college professor.[1] He began acting as a full second career after retiring from teaching.[1] Letts appeared in more than 40 films and television shows over the course of his career, including parts in high-profile films such as Cast Away in 2000.[2]

His acting credits also included his debut in Bloodsuckers from Outer Space, a science fiction comedy film written and directed by Glen Coburn, Where the Heart Is, a film based on a novel written by his wife, Billie Letts. He served as an editor for his wife's novels,[1] which won various literary awards and have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list.[2]

August: Osage County

Letts premiered the role of Beverly Weston in the original production of August: Osage County, which was written by his son, Tracy Letts.[1] His character is described as an "Oklahoma patriarch" whose mysterious disappearance reunites his dysfunctional family.[1] August: Osage County first opened at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in the summer of 2007.[1] The show, as well as Letts's performance, was a critical success.[1]

Illness/death

Letts was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2007.[1] Despite his diagnosis, Letts chose to remain with the August: Osage County production as the show moved to New York City. The show, with Letts as a full cast member, debuted on Broadway in December 2007.[1] It earned some of the best critical reviews of that particular season.[1] He continued performing eight shows a week of August: Osage County in New York City until February 2008.[1][7] He kept up his schedule despite his illness and its treatment.[1] Letts died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on February 22, 2008, at the age of 73.[1] A memorial service was held in Wagoner, Oklahoma.[6] He was survived by his wife, Billie (died 2014), and sons, Tracy, Dana and Shawn.[1]

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1984	Bloodsuckers from Outer Space	General Sanders
1985	Tabloid
1987	Square Dance	Bob Hadley
1988	Johnny Be Good	Army General
1988	It Takes Two	Bus Clerk
1988	Heartbreak Hotel	Alan Fortas
1991	The Man in the Moon	Doc White
1991	Rush	Senior District Attorney
1992	Passenger 57	Frank Allen
1992	Sidekicks	Man with Dog
1993	A Perfect World	Governor
1995	Gordy	Governor
1995	Frank and Jesse	Railroad C.E.O.
1997	Keys to Tulsa	Preston Liddy
1997	Little Boy Blue	Sgt. Phillips
1997	Fire Down Below	Doctor Schultz
2000	Where the Heart Is	Sheriff
2000	Cast Away	Dennis Larson
2003	Secondhand Lions	Sheriff
2004	Christmas Child	Judge
2006	Infamous	Judge Tate	(final film role)

References

1. "Dennis Letts, 73, a Professor Who Became Broadway Actor, Dies". Associated Press. The New York Times. 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
2. "TV and film actor Dennis Letts dies". Tulsa World. 2008-02-24. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
3. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25071627
4. Letts family information Archived April 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, twbookmark.com; accessed August 13, 2014.
5. Excerpt from Playbill Archived March 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine; accessed August 13, 2014.
6. "Former Durant resident Dennis Letts dies". Durant Democrat. 2008-02-25. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
7. Jones, Chris (2008-02-25). "Actor's dream came true in his son's play". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

External links

• Dennis Letts at the Internet Broadway Database
• Dennis Letts on IMDb