Hank Patterson
Biography
Hank Patterson, born Elmer Calvin Patterson, was an American actor and musician. He was born in Springville, Alabama, on October 9, 1888, and died on August 23, 1975, at the age of 86. Patterson is known foremost for playing two recurring characters across three television series, appearing as stableman Hank Miller on Gunsmoke and as farmer Fred Ziffel on both Petticoat Junction and Green Acres. Throughout his career in film and television, he accumulated 108 known acting credits. His work included roles in Republic Pictures westerns and juvenile television westerns such as The Cisco Kid, The Adventures of Kit Carson, The Lone Ranger, and Annie Oakley, typically playing cantankerous types, blacksmiths, hotel clerks, farmers, shopkeepers, and other townsmen in bit roles and character parts.
Career overview
Hank Patterson, born Elmer Calvin Patterson on October 9, 1888, in Springville, Alabama, was an American actor and musician. He had a prolific career in film and television, with known credits totaling 108. Patterson is best known for playing two recurring characters across three television series, appearing as stableman Hank Miller on Gunsmoke and as farmer Fred Ziffel on both Petticoat Junction and Green Acres.
In addition to his prominent television work, Patterson found substantial film work, predominantly playing cantankerous types, blacksmiths, hotel clerks, farmers, shopkeepers, and other townsmen. These were usually bit roles and character parts in Republic Pictures westerns. He later transitioned into popular juvenile television westerns, making appearances in programs such as The Cisco Kid, The Adventures of Kit Carson, The Lone Ranger, and Annie Oakley.
Patterson passed away on August 23, 1975, at the age of 86. Throughout his long career in the entertainment industry, he established himself as a recognizable character actor, contributing to numerous western and comedy television series and films.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
128 titles- Love, American Style (1969) as Farmer
- The Mod Squad (1968)
- The Guns of Will Sonnett (1967)
- Cimarron Strip (1967)
- Custer (1967)
- Green Acres (1965) as Fred Ziffel
- Laredo (1965)
- The Loner (1965) as The Bartender
- The Legend of Jesse James (1965) as Porter
- Daniel Boone (1964) as Jed Harper (uncredited)
- Daniel Boone (1964) as Fiddler
- Daniel Boone (1964) as Gray
- Burke's Law (1963) as Lukey Slade
- Petticoat Junction (1963) as Fred Ziffell
- The Virginian (1962) as Old Man
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
- Mister Ed (1961)
- 87th Precinct (1961)
- Miami Undercover (1961)
- Straightaway (1961)
- The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) as Fisherman Spectator (uncredited)
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) as Hobo
- The Tall Man (1960)
- The Westerner (1960) as Sample
- Gunfighters of Abilene (1960) as Andy Ferris
- Bonanza (1959) as Blacksmith
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Old Man
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Mr. Gentry
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Freitag
- Rawhide (1959) as Simpson
- Lock-Up (1959)
- Riverboat (1959) as Rare
- Riverboat (1959) as Johnny Mullins (uncredited)
- Johnny Ringo (1959) as Old Man
- Black Saddle (1959) as Harvey Morgan
- The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1959) as Mr. Phillips
- The Alaskans (1959)
- No Name on the Bullet (1959) as Ed - Chess Player (uncredited)
- Lone Texan (1959) as Jack Stone (uncredited)
- Gunmen from Laredo (1959)
- The Rifleman (1958)
- Bat Masterson (1958) as Prospector
- Bat Masterson (1958) as Soda Smith
- Bat Masterson (1958) as Warren T. 'Soda' Smith
- The Texan (1958)
- Sea Hunt (1958)
- Bronco (1958)
- Bronco (1958) as Railroad Costigan
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
- Attack of the Puppet People (1958) as Night Manager
- Attack of the Puppet People (1958) as Theater Janitor
- Earth vs. the Spider (1958) as Hugo
- Monster on the Campus (1958) as Townsend - Night Watchman
- The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958) as Gil Henry
- The Decks Ran Red (1958) as Moody
- Terror in a Texas Town (1958) as Brady
- Perry Mason (1957) as Jack Gilly
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957)
- Trackdown (1957)
- The New Adventures of Spin and Marty (1957) as Pete Duggan
- The Amazing Colossal Man (1957) as Henry
- Gunsight Ridge (1957) as George Clark (uncredited)
- Beginning of the End (1957) as Dave
- The Storm Rider (1957) as Milstead
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Slim Baker
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Jonas Mulvey
- Julie (1956) as Ellis
- The First Traveling Saleslady (1956) as Courtroom Spectator
- Strange Intruder (1956) as Knife Grinder
- Cheyenne (1955) as Sunset
- Highway Patrol (1955)
- The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955)
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Jake
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Carl
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Crowbait
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Judge
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Carl Miller
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Cowboy
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Hank Miller
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Hank
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Hank Miller (uncredited)
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Livery Man
- Navy Log (1955)
- Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (1955)
- Buffalo Bill Jr. (1955)
- Tarantula (1955) as Josh
- Phantom Trails (1955) as Jess Morgan
- Southwest Passage (1954) as Barstow
- City Detective (1953)
- Woman They Almost Lynched (1953) as Townsman (uncredited)
- Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic Invaders (1953) as Jed Larson
- Jack Slade (1953) as Old Tom
- The Abbott and Costello Show (1952) as The Tramp
- Hopalong Cassidy (1952)
- Death Valley Days (1952) as Phi Jones
- Gang Busters (1952)
- California Conquest (1952)
- The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
- Don Daredevil Rides Again (1951) as Buck Bender
- Silver City Bonanza (1951) as Postman
- The Gene Autry Show (1950) as Wagon Driver Idaho
- The Gunfighter (1950) as Jake (uncredited)
- Desperadoes of the West (1950) as Hardrock Haggerty
- No Sad Songs for Me (1950) as Night Construction Workman (uncredited)
- Blades of the Musketeers (1950) as The Old Fisherman
- Code of the Silver Sage (1950) as Sergeant Woods
- The Return of Jesse James (1950) as Clay County Marshal
- The Lone Ranger (1949) as Calico
- The Cowboy and the Indians (1949) as Tom
- The James Brothers of Missouri (1949) as Duffy [Ch. 4] / Duffy [11]
- Panhandle (1948) as Old Timer (uncredited)
- Relentless (1948) as Bob Pliny (uncredited)
- Oklahoma Badlands (1948) as Postmaster Fred
- Night Time in Nevada (1948) as Tramp
- The Denver Kid (1948) as Sergeant Cooper
- Robin Hood Of Texas (1947) as Guest
- Robin Hood Of Texas (1947) as Taxi Driver
- Bells of San Angelo (1947) as Deaf bus passenger
- Springtime in the Sierras (1947) as Old-Timer
- Under Colorado Skies (1947) as Slim
- Duel in the Sun (1946) as Man (uncredited)
- Abilene Town (1946) as Doug Neil
- Santa Fe Uprising (1946) as Deputy Jake
- The El Paso Kid (1946) as Jeff Winters
- Three Faces West (1940) as Pool Player
- Sabotage (1939) as (uncredited)
- The Arizona Kid (1939) as Townsman
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Hank Patterson best known for?
Hank Patterson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Over the Top (1987), The Mod Squad (1968), The Guns of Will Sonnett (1967), Cimarron Strip (1967).
When and where was Hank Patterson born?
Hank Patterson was born on October 9, 1888 in Springville, Alabama, USA. They passed away on August 23, 1975.
How many credits does Hank Patterson have?
Hank Patterson has accumulated over 128 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1939 to 1969.
What is Hank Patterson's background in cinema and television?
Hank Patterson, born Elmer Calvin Patterson, was an American actor and musician. He was born in Springville, Alabama, on October 9, 1888, and died on August 23, 1975, at the age of 86. Patterson is known foremost for playing two recurring characters across three television series, appearing as stableman Hank Miller on ...