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Written by Staff
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Monday, 27 February 2006 |
 Actor Dennis Weaver, best known for his memorable roles on the TV series, Gunsmoke and McLoud has died at the age of 81.
Weaver will be remembered for his role as the limping sidekick "Chester" on the long-running TV western, Gunsmoke. He played this role from 1955 to 1964 and was awarded the Emmy for his role in 1959. After leaving the cast of Gunsmoke, Weaver shared the starring role in the short-lived family drama, Gentle Ben which revolved around a gentle black bear who was adopted by Weaver's character's family.
In 1970, Weaver took the lead role as Marshal Sam McLoud in the NBC police drama of the same name which enjoyed a successful seven-year run before being cancelled.
The well-loved actor was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1973 to 1975.
Born William Dennis Weaver on June 4, 1924 in Joplin, Missouri, he was an accomplished singer and songwriter as well as actor. Weaver served as pilot in the US Navy during the Second World War. In 1948, he tried out for the US Olympic team to compete in the decathlon and after failing to make the team, moved to New York to pursue a career in acting.
Weaver has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1981, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Surrounded by his wife and three sons, Weaver died of complications from cancer last Friday at his home in Ridgway, in southwestern Colorado. |
