Robert Sorrells
Robert D. Sorrells (June 29, 1930 – June 11, 2019)[1][2][3] was an American television actor. He died in prison while serving an indeterminate life sentence for murder.
Robert Sorrells | |
---|---|
Sorrells in The Wonderful World of Disney, c. 1968 | |
Born | Dallas, Texas, U.S. | June 29, 1930
Died | June 11, 2019 88)[1] Vacaville, California, U.S.[1] | (aged
Resting place | Cremated[1] |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1959–1990 |
Conviction(s) | Murder, attempted murder |
Criminal penalty | 32 years to life |
Acting career
As an actor, Sorrells is probably best known for his role as the baseball-pitching robot Casey in the Twilight Zone episode "The Mighty Casey". Additionally, he was in 26 episodes of Ensign O'Toole. He was also known for his appearances in Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Bonanza. He later appeared in films such as Fletch (the old man with his wife whom Chevy Chase interviews under the fake name "Harry Truman") and Bound for Glory.[4][5]
Murder and attempted murder convictions
On July 24, 2004, Sorrells was drinking in a bar in Simi Valley, California, when he became belligerent. Another patron, Arthur DeLong, forcibly escorted Sorrells from the bar. Sorrells went home, got his pistol,[6] and returned to the bar, where he shot DeLong in the back at point-blank range, killing him. Sorrells then shot a bystander named Edward Sanchez, with whom he had had no previous interaction.[7] He then fled the scene in a Volkswagen van, but was arrested a short distance away.[3]
Sorrells was charged with one count of premeditated murder and one count of attempted premeditated murder.[7] Sorrells initially pled not guilty by reason of insanity, but entered a guilty plea in May 2005. In July 2005 he was sentenced to 32 years to life.[7]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1960 | The Twilight Zone | Casey | Episode: "The Mighty Casey" |
1961 | All Hands on Deck | Jones | |
1962 | All Fall Down | Waiter in Sweet Shop | (scenes deleted) |
1962-1963 | Ensign O'Toole | White | 26 episodes |
1963-1969 | Bonanza | Charlie / Deputy Sheriff Cyril / John Swanson / Meredith Smith / Ferguson / Sid | 5 episodes |
1965 | Morituri | Koeniger | |
1966 | Bewitched | Gus Walters | Episode: "The Horse's Mouth" |
1967 | Gunfight in Abilene | Nelson | |
1967 | Mosby's Marauders | Pvt. Starkey | |
1967 | The Ride to Hangman's Tree | Blake | |
1967 | The Last Challenge | Harry Bell | |
1968 | A Man Called Gannon | Goff | |
1969 | Death of a Gunfighter | Chris Hogg | |
1970 | San Francisco International Airport | Dan | Minor role in a TV movie pilot |
1976 | Bound for Glory | Charlie Guthrie - Woody's Father | |
1978 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Locke | |
1985 | Fletch | Marvin Stanwyk | |
1989 | Nowhere to Run | Mr. Kitchens |
References
- "Robert D. Sorrells". Nautilus Cremation Services. Archived from the original on 2019-08-21. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
- "SAG-AFTRA In Memoriam". SAG-AFTRA. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
- "Robert Sorrells: Veteran Actor Sentenced For Murder". tabloidcolumn.com. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- Mike Trippiedi (2012-07-20). "Not Very Famous...but should be: Robert Sorrells". notveryfamous.blogspot.co.nz. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- "Actor Robert Sorrells charged in shooting". AP via USA Today. 2004-07-27. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- David K. Frasier (2013-10-22). "Robert Sorrells -- Don't Fuck with the Cowboy".
- "Local man, 75, sentenced to life in prison". Simi Valley Acorn. 2005-07-22. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2017-12-15.