- George Dunn (actor)
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George Dunn 
Born Ollen George Dunn
November 23, 1914
Brownwood, TexasDied April 27, 1982 (aged 67)
Los Angeles, CaliforniaOther names George E. Dunn Occupation Actor, humorist 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.
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Career
Born Ollen George Dunn in Brownwood, Texas, Dunn made his way from Texas 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, Dunn's final roles were in the same film, 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.
Filmography
Film Year Film Role Notes 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 DecisionAway 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 Inherit the Wind Banker - Critic at City Meeting Uncredited 1962 The Silent Witness 1965 Baby the Rain Must Fall Counterman at Restaurant 1971 The Beguiled Sam Jefferson 1973 The Severed Arm 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
Andy2 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 Gun1968 Felony Squad Watchman 1 episode 1963 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 References
External links
- George Dunn at the Internet Movie Database
- George Dunn at the TCM Movie Database
Categories:- 1914 births
- 1982 deaths
- Actors from Texas
- American film actors
- American humorists
- American stage actors
- American television actors
- People from Brown County, Texas
- Vaudeville performers
- Western (genre) film actors
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