George Dunn (actor)
George Dunn (November 23, 1914 – April 27, 1982) was an American actor, humorist, vaudeville performer, and satirist. 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.
George Dunn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ollen George Dunn November 23, 1914 Brownwood, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 27, 1982 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | George E. Dunn |
| Occupation | Actor, humorist |
| Years active | 1953-1980 |
Career
Born Ollen George Dunn in Brownwood, Texas, 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.
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.
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 in Los Angeles, California, aged 67, from undisclosed causes.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1953 | How to Marry a Millionaire | Mike - Elevator Operator | Uncredited |
| 1955 | Prince of Players | Doorman | Uncredited |
| Daddy Long Legs | Chauffeur | Uncredited | |
| 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 | Hubert | ||
| Giant | Vern Decker | Uncredited | |
| 1957 | The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm | George | |
| Joe Dakota | Jim Baldwin | ||
| 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 at Restaurant | |
| 1968 | Faces | Comedian | |
| 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 |
| 1958 | The Adventures of Jim Bowie | Davey Crockett | 1 episode |
| 1958-1958 | Cimarron City | Jesse Williams | 5 episodes |
| 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 | Unknown episodes |
| 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 | |
| 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
External links
- George Dunn on IMDb
- George Dunn at the TCM Movie Database
