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Edgar Buchanan (1903-1979)
Gunsmoke

Old Dan, January 27, 1962 Written by Kathleen Hite, Directed by Andrew McLaglen, Cast: Edgar Buchanan, Philip Coolidge, William Campbell, Dorothy Neumann, Sharon Wiley, Sharon Joslyn, Joe Hayworth

Old York, May 4, 1963 Written by John Meston, Directed by Harry Harris, Guest Cast: Edgar Buchanan, H.M. Wynant, Robert Knapp, Ed Madden, Alex Sharp, Michael Constantine, Rudy Dolan

One of the most recognizable, distinctive voices in movie history belonged to Edgar Buchanan. It was as gravelly as a voice can get. He was born William Edgar Buchanan in Humanville, Missouri on March 21, 1903. He was educated in Oregon and became a highly respected Dentist and Oral Surgeon. He was bitten by the acting bug when he joined a community theatre in Pasadena, California. He was spotted by a talent scout and made his film debut in "Arizona" (1940) as Judge Bogardus. He starred often in westerns usually as a sheriff, judge or old-timer of some sort. Among his film credits are: "When the Daltons Rode" (1940) uncredited as Old Timer/Narrator; "The Sea Hawk" (1940) uncredited as Ben Rollins; "The Richest Man in Town" (1941) as Pete Martin; my personal favorite role of his as Applejack in "Penny Serenade" (1941) with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne; "Talk of the Town" (1942) again with Cary Grant, as Sam Yates; "Buffalo Bill" (1944) with Joel McCrea, as Sergeant Chips; "Cheaper by the Dozen" (1950) as Dr. Burton; "Shane" (1953) as Lewis; "Tammy Tell Me True" (1961) as Judge Carver; "Angel in My Pocket" (1969) as Axel Gresham and "Benji" (1974) as Bill, his last film. On television he was best known for his role as Uncle Joe on "Petticoat Junction" (1963-70) plus the title role of "Judge Roy Bean" (1956); J.J. Jackson on "Cade's County" (1971-72) and as Red on "Hopalong Cassidy" (1949-51). He also appeared in the two TV movies "The Over the Hill Gang" (1969) and "The Over the Hill Gang Rides Again" (1970) as Jason Fitch and guested on many series including: "Bonanza"; "Leave it to Beaver"; "Gunsmoke" and "The Partridge Family." He died on April 4, 1979 of a stroke complicated by pneumonia in Palm Springs, California at age 76.

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