Dennis Weaver
Biography
Billy Dennis Weaver, also known as William Dennis, was an American actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild. Born on June 4, 1924, in Joplin, Missouri, his career in television and films spanned from the early 1950s until just before his death on February 24, 2006, at the age of 81. Weaver is best known for his roles as Chester Goode on the western Gunsmoke, Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud on the police drama McCloud, the twitchy motel attendant in Orson Welles's 1958 film Touch of Evil, and as the star of Steven Spielberg's 1971 television film Duel. He accumulated 101 known acting credits in movies and television shows throughout his career.
Career overview
Billy Dennis Weaver, also known as William Dennis, was an American actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild. Born in Joplin, Missouri on June 4, 1924, Weaver was best known for his work in television and films from the early 1950s until just before his death on February 24, 2006, at the age of 81. Over the course of his career, he amassed 101 known acting credits in movies and television shows.
Weaver was most famous for two prominent television roles: Marshal Matt Dillon's deputy Chester Goode on the western Gunsmoke and Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud on the police drama McCloud. In addition to his series work, he starred in the 1971 television film Duel, which was the first film directed by Steven Spielberg. He is also remembered for his performance as the twitchy motel attendant in Orson Welles's 1958 film Touch of Evil.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
106 titles- Wildfire (2005) as Henry Ritter
- Home on the Range (2004) as Abner (voice)
- The Virginian (2000) as Sam Balaam
- Submerged (2000) as Buck Stevens
- High Noon (2000) as Mart Howe
- Family Law (1999) as Judge Richard Lloyd
- Escape from Wildcat Canyon (1998) as Grandpa Flint
- Stolen Women, Captured Hearts (1997) as Captain Farnsworth
- Seduction in a Small Town (1997) as Sam Jenks
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Two Bits & Pepper (1995) as Sheriff Pratt
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Emmett Rivers
- Lonesome Dove: The Series (1994) as Buffalo Bill Cody
- Greyhounds (1994) as Chance Wayne
- Mastergate (1992) as Vice President Dale Burden
- Earth and the American Dream (1992) as Reader (voice)
- Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990)
- Great Adventurers & Their Quests: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1990) as Narrator
- Dennis Weaver's Earthship (1990)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Buck McCoy (voice)
- The Return of Sam McCloud (1989) as Sam McCloud
- Disaster at Silo 7 (1988) as Sheriff Ben Harlen
- Walking After Midnight (1988) as Self
- Buck James (1987) as Dr. Buck James
- Bluffing It (1987) as Jack Duggan
- A Winner Never Quits (1986) as Mr. Wyshner
- Amy Grant: Headin' Home for the Holidays (1986) as Tom Miller
- Going for the Gold: The Bill Johnson Story (1985) as Wally Johnson
- Emerald Point N.A.S. (1983) as Rear Adm. Thomas Mallory
- Cocaine: One Man's Seduction (1983) as Eddie Gant
- Don't Go to Sleep (1982) as Phillip
- The Day the Loving Stopped (1981) as Aaron Danner
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Lacy Fletcher
- Stone (1980) as Det. Sgt. Daniel Stone
- The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd (1980) as Dr. Samuel A. Mudd
- Amber Waves (1980) as Elroy 'Bud' Burkhardt
- The Ordeal of Patty Hearst (1979) as Charles Bates
- A Cry for Justice (1979) as Sgt. Ted Bentley
- Stone (1979) as Daniel Ellis Stone
- Centennial (1978) as R.J. Poteet
- Pearl (1978) as Col. Jason Forrest
- Ishi: The Last of His Tribe (1978) as Prof. Benjamin Fuller
- The Islander (1978) as Gable McQueen
- The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977) as Self
- Intimate Strangers (1977) as Donald Halston
- Cher (1975) as Self - Guest
- Police Story (1973)
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
- Female Artillery (1973) as Deke Chambers
- Terror on the Beach (1973) as Neil Glynn
- The Great Man's Whiskers (1972) as Abraham Lincoln
- Rolling Man (1972) as Lonnie McAfee
- The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971)
- Duel (1971) as David Mann
- The Pet Set (1971) as Self
- The Forgotten Man (1971) as Lt. Joe Hardy
- What's the Matter with Helen? (1971) as Lincoln Palmer
- McCloud (1970) as Sam McCloud
- McCloud (1970) Director
- A Man Called Sledge (1970) as Erwin Ward
- The Don Knotts Show (1970) as Self
- Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970) as Self
- The Name of the Game (1968) as Walter Grayson
- The Dean Martin Christmas Show (1968) as Self
- Mission Batangas (1968) as Chip Corbett
- Gentle Ben (1967) as Tom Wedloe
- Gentle Ben (1967) Director
- Judd, for the Defense (1967)
- Gentle Giant (1967) as Tom Wedloe
- That Girl (1966)
- Way... Way Out (1966) as Hoffman
- Duel at Diablo (1966) as Willard Grange
- Gallegher Goes West (1966) as George Tucker, the Sundown Kid
- Kentucky Jones (1964) as Kentucky Jones
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- Combat! (1962) as Noah
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Wayne Wandemeir
- The Gallant Hours (1960) as Andy Lowe
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Adam Grant
- Touch of Evil (1958) as Mirador Motel Night Manager
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Chester
- Gunsmoke (1955) Director
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Charles Cavender
- Ten Wanted Men (1955) as Sheriff Clyde Gibbons
- Seven Angry Men (1955) as John Brown Jr.
- Storm Fear (1955) as Hank
- Chief Crazy Horse (1955) as Maj. Carlisle
- Climax! (1954) as Steve Maclyn
- Dangerous Mission (1954) as Ranger clerk
- Dragnet (1954) as Capt. R.A. Lohrman
- Law and Order (1953) as Frank Durling
- The Mississippi Gambler (1953) as Julian Contant
- The Redhead from Wyoming (1953) as Matt Jessup
- The Golden Blade (1953)
- Column South (1953) as Menguito
- The Man from the Alamo (1953) as Tennessean (uncredited)
- War Arrow (1953) as Pino
- The Lawless Breed (1952) as Jim Clements
- Horizons West (1952) as Dandy Taylor
- Dragnet (1951)
- Dragnet (1951) as Russ Camp
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Ben
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Dennis Weaver best known for?
Dennis Weaver is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Wildfire (2005), Home on the Range (2004), Submerged (2000), Urban Legend (1998).
When and where was Dennis Weaver born?
Dennis Weaver was born on June 4, 1924 in Joplin, Missouri, USA. They passed away on February 24, 2006.
How many credits does Dennis Weaver have?
Dennis Weaver has accumulated over 106 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2005.
What is Dennis Weaver's background in cinema and television?
Billy Dennis Weaver, also known as William Dennis, was an American actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild. Born on June 4, 1924, in Joplin, Missouri, his career in television and films spanned from the early 1950s until just before his death on February 24, 2006, at the age of 81. Weaver is best known for his r...
Dennis Weaver by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Adam Grant — aged about 35
- Wildfire (2005) as Henry Ritter — aged about 81
- Family Law (1999) as Judge Richard Lloyd — aged about 75
- The Simpsons (1989) as Buck McCoy (voice) — aged about 65
- Combat! (1962) as Noah — aged about 38
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Charles Cavender — aged about 31
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