William Dennis Weaver (June 4, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American actor, mostly for known for his roles on Gunsmoke, in the police drama McCloud and the television movie Duel (1971).
He was born in Joplin, Missouri and wanted to become an actor from an early age. He attended the University of Oklahoma at Norman, studying drama. During the Second World War he served in the United States Navy as a pilot. In 1945, he married Gerry Stowell and they had three children. After finishing six in the Olympic Trials in the decathlon, he went to New York City to try acting.
As he was serious about becoming an actor, he enrolled in The Actors Studio. At the beginning of his career acting, he had several jobs, such as selling women’s hosiery, tricycles and vacuum cleaners.
He debuted on film in 1952, with The Redhead from Wyoming. Although he played various roles in several movies in the following three years, he was still forced to have other jobs as well. His break role came along with the role of Chester Goode on the television series Gunsmoke, role for which he become famous. For his work on the series, he received an Emmy Award (1959) for Best Supporting Actor (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series.
He had a supporting role in the Orson Welles film Touch of Evil (1958) and appeared in an episode of The Twilight Zone (1961), Shadow Play. Between 1964 and 1965, he played the role of a veterinarian in the comedy drama Kentucky Jones. From 1967 to 1969, he played the role of Tom Wedloe on the series Gentle Ben, alongside Clint Howard.
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