Known for Acting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Billy Dennis Weaver (June 4, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild, best known for his work in television and films from the early 1950s until just before his death in 2006. Weaver's two most famous roles were as Marshal Matt Dillon's deputy Chester Goode on the western Gunsmoke and as Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud on the police drama McCloud. He starred in the 1971 television film Duel, the first film of director Steven Spielberg. He is also remembered for his role as the twitchy motel attendant in Orson Welles's film Touch of Evil (1958). Weaver was born June 4, 1924, in Joplin, Missouri, the son of Walter Leon "Doc" Weaver and his wife Lenna Leora (née Prather). Weaver wanted to be an actor from childhood. He lived in Shreveport, Louisiana, for several years and for a short time in Manteca, California. He studied at Joplin Junior College, then transferred to the University of Oklahoma at Norman, where he studied drama and was a track star, setting records in several events. During World War II, he served as a pilot in the United States Navy, flying Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter aircraft. After the war, he married Gerry Stowell (his childhood sweetheart), with whom he had three children. Under the name Billy D. Weaver, he tried out for the 1948 U.S. Olympic team in the decathlon, finishing sixth behind 17-year-old high school track star Bob Mathias. However, only the top three finishers were selected. Weaver later commented, "I did so poorly [in the Olympic Trials], I decided to ... stay in New York and try acting. Career Weaver's first role on Broadway came as an understudy to Lonny Chapman as Turk Fisher in Come Back, Little Sheba. He eventually took over the role from Chapman in the national touring company. Solidifying his choice to become an actor, Weaver enrolled in the Actors Studio, where he met Shelley Winters. In the beginning of his acting career, he supported his family by doing odd jobs, including selling vacuum cleaners, tricycles, and women's hosiery. In 1952, Shelley Winters helped him get a contract from Universal Studios. He made his film debut that same year in the movie The Redhead from Wyoming. Over the next three years, he played in a series of movies, but still had to work odd jobs to support his family. In 1955 he appeared in an episode of The Lone Ranger "The Tell-Tale Bullet", which is viewable on YouTube. While delivering flowers, he heard he had landed the role of Chester Goode, the limping, loyal assistant of Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) on the new television series Gunsmoke. It was his big break; the show went on to become the highest-rated and longest-running live action series in United States television history (1955 to 1975), an honor now held by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 1970, Weaver landed the title role in the NBC series McCloud, for which he received two Emmy Award nominations. The show, about a modern Western lawman who ends up in New York City, was loosely based on the Clint Eastwood film Coogan's Bluff. Weaver married Gerry Stowell after World War II, and they had three sons: Richard, Robert, and Rustin Weaver. Gerry died April 26, 2016, at 90. Death Weaver died from prostate cancer at his home in Ridgway, Colorado, on February 24, 2006, at age 81. CLR
Born
June 4, 1924
Died
February 24, 2006 (age 81)
Birthplace
Joplin, Missouri, USA
Filmography
63 films, 41 shows


Home on the Range
2004 · 1h 16m
country: United States
When a greedy outlaw schemes to take possession of the "Patch Of Heaven" dairy farm, three determined cows, a karate-kicking stallion and a colorful corral of critters join forces to save their home. The stakes are sky-high as this unlikely animal alliance risk their hides and match wits with a mysterious band of bad guys.


Submerged
2000 · 1h 35m
country: United States
Navy SEALs launch a rescue mission after terrorists plunge a jet carrying a missile-launching computer into the sea.


High Noon
2000 · 1h 25m
country: Unknown
High Noon tells the story of a lawman named Will Kane (Skerritt) who has just married a young bride, Amy (Thompson), promising to leave his dangerous career and settle down for a quiet life. Just as they are about to leave, word comes that a vicious killer Kane had sent to prison years earlier, is coming to town on the noon train seeking vengeance. Kane attempts to rally the town to fight the gunman, but not even his former deputy Harvey (Diamond) is willing to help. Harvey's cowardice infuriates his girlfriend, Helen (Alonso), whose romantic past with both Kane and with the arriving gunman convinces her to pack up and leave town. As the dreaded noon hour approaches, Kane realizes he must stand alone against the coming storm.


The Virginian
2000 · 1h 35m
country: United States
A cowboy finds himself betrayed by his best friend and must choose between bringing him to justice and alienating the pretty schoolteacher he is in love with.


Escape from Wildcat Canyon
1998 · 1h 36m
country: Canada
Before Pete Flint moves to New York with his family, he goes on one last embark with his grandfather. When their plane crashes in Wildcat Canyon, they are forced to survive in the dangerous and cold winter with only each other and a dog they find.
Seduction in a Small Town
Seduction in a Small Town
1997 · 1h 45m
country: United States
A couple's idyllic life is shattered when authorities accuse them of child abuse and take away their three young children. When they desperately search for the source of the rumors about them, their suspicions lead them to a young woman who recently arrived in their small town, but they can't believe that this person they befriended would turn the town against them.


Stolen Women, Captured Hearts
1997 · 1h 27m
country: United States
Kansas, 1868. A wagon train is attacked by a band of Lakota Sioux led by the young and athletic warrior Tokalah. The attractive, red haired Anna Brewster-Morgan and her friend Sarah White are on this wagon train too. When Tokalah noticed a terrified Anna with a Bible, he thinks this is an omen. Despite killing the other passengers of the wagon train, only Anna and Sarah may continue their voyage. The next day Anna and Sarah are kidnapped by Tokalah. At first terrified of her captors, the unhappily married Anna eventually falls in love with the noble, honorable Tokalah. After a year's captivity, Sarah is returned to her own people. Anna now must choose between her new life with Tokalah and her previous existence as the wife of farmer Daniel Morgan.


Two Bits & Pepper
1995 · 1h 29m
country: United States
Comedy about idiotic (the two can't even add 1+1) kidnappers, both played for unknown reasons by Joe Piscopo, who capture two young girls and hold them for ransom. However, in "Home Alone" fashion, the two girls make fools of the two men. The film becomes even sillier as two horses who talk to one another decide to rescue the girls from the kidnappers


Greyhounds
1994 · 1h 32m
country: Unknown
A retired sheriff, judge, coroner and con-man team up to solve crimes. Pilot.


Mastergate
1992 · 1h 26m
country: United States
A "play on words" about a fictional political scandal concerning covert arms deals and double-dealing government operatives, satirizing the Watergate hearings of 1972-1973.


Earth and the American Dream
1992 · 1h 18m
country: United States
A beautiful and disturbing film recounts America’s story from the environment’s point of view. From the arrival of Columbus to the simple wilderness living of the 16th and 17th centuries, through the agrarian lifestyle of the 18th century, the changes from the Industrial Revolution, to the 20th century when most of the planet’s resources have been depleted — this film examines the North American landscape and all the wildlife destruction, deforestation, soil depletion and pollution that have been wrought to make the American Dream come true.


Great Adventurers & Their Quests: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
1990 · 46m
country: United States
A special examining the appeal of real-life daredevils and heroic figures compared with their fictional counterparts as portrayed in adventure films.


Dennis Weaver's Earthship
1990 · 26m
country: Unknown
A documentary about a house Dennis Weaver built/had built in Colorado. The concept was created by Michael Reynolds and his headquarters are in Taos, N.M. It is an off-grid house built with earth-rammed tires and other recycled materials.


The Return of Sam McCloud
1989 · 1h 34m
country: United States
Ex-Marshal McCloud now is senator of New Mexico, fighting for a new environment law. His enemy is Maitland, unscrupulous owner of Chemtel, the world's most important chemical manufacturer. Shortly after McCloud gives an inspiring speech, he barely escapes an bomb in his car and a shooting in a restaurant. When he learns that his niece, medical researcher for Chemtel, was killed, he begins to suspect that the attempts on his life were not made by Arabian terrorists, but by Maitland. He pays him a visit in Britain and starts to research on his own.


Disaster at Silo 7
1988 · 1h 36m
country: United States
During routine maintenance of a liquid-fuelled ICBM, the fuel tank is penetrated by a falling spanner. The film traces the efforts of the maintenance crew and associated military and civilian personnel to recover the potentially disastrous situation before the fuel tank is sufficiently depressurised that the stack collapses and explodes.


Walking After Midnight
1988 · 1h 32m
country: Unknown
Explores the past-life experiences of various celebrities.


Bluffing It
1987 · 1h 36m
country: Canada
A functionally illiterate factory foreman (Dennis Weaver) loses his job after refusing a promotion that requires reading.


Amy Grant: Headin' Home for the Holidays
1986 · 49m
country: Unknown
Amy Grant heads home for the holidays. Later re-released as Amy Grant's Old-Fashioned Christmas.


A Winner Never Quits
1986 · 1h 45m
country: United States
Raised in a poor Pennsylvania mining town by his immigrant parents, Pete Grey lost his right arm while still a young boy. But through the encouragement of his father and the constant coaching of his older brother, Pete never gives up on his dream of playing professional baseball. Driven by anger, he finally makes it to the big leagues. But it isn't until he agrees to meet a handicapped youngster who idolizes him that Pete finally becomes a genuine American hero.


Going for the Gold: The Bill Johnson Story
1985 · 1h 44m
country: United States
The true story of Bill Johnson, the first US men's skiing gold medal winner, whose Olympics dreams were threatened by his rebellious attitude.


Cocaine: One Man's Seduction
1983 · 1h 37m
country: United States
A 47-year-old real estate salesman gets trapped in the insidious web of cocaine addiction.


Don't Go to Sleep
1982 · 1h 33m
country: United States
One year after a young girl dies in a car accident, her sister begins seeing visions of her, while the family home is plagued by strange happenings.


The Day the Loving Stopped
1981 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Due to her parents' divorce, a young lady named Judy begins to doubt herself and love in general as her wedding day approaches.


The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd
1980 · 2h 25m
country: United States
The story of the doctor who faced charges of conspiracy after he assisted John Wilkes Booth by setting his broken leg after he had assassinated Abraham Lincoln.


Amber Waves
1980 · 1h 38m
country: United States
A drifter stranded in Kansas accepts a job offer from a wheat harvester who, in desperation over his cancer and financial woes, attempts suicide but becomes a father-figure to the young man.


Stone
1979 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Dennis Weaver is a Joseph Wambaugh-type novelist cop and Pat Hingle is his hard-nosed superior who wants him to stick to police work or get off the force in this pilot to the short-lived series.


A Cry for Justice
1979 · 2h
country: United States
Due to hasty investigations and questionable methods of two police sergeants, two hoodlums are convicted for a robbery in which a patrolman was seriously injured. Years later, one of the two cops gets on the trail of the real culprits. To enforce justice, he makes himself unpopular with his department and his colleague, who want to cover up the embarrassing mistake


The Ordeal of Patty Hearst
1979 · 2h 19m
country: United States
The story of the kidnapping of newspaper heiress Patty Hearst by members of a radical guerrilla organization, as seen by the FBI agent in charge of her case.


Ishi: The Last of His Tribe
1978 · 1h 40m
country: United States
A touching dramatization of a short chapter of American history, tracing the life of the last Yahi Indian from his childhood to his death in 1917 and the story of his friendship with an anthropologist after his discovery in northern California in 1911.


The Islander
1978 · 1h 40m
country: United States
A retired mainland lawyer buys a small Honolulu hotel and finds himself in a murderous situation involving a runaway grand jury witness, a ruthless mobster, and a racket-busting U.S. Senator framed for beating up an airline stewardess.


Intimate Strangers
1977 · 1h 37m
country: United States
The pressures of problems at home and at work are taking a tremendous toll on a middle-aged husband, and he begins to take it out on his wife.


Terror on the Beach
1973 · 1h 14m
country: United States
When their campsite is vandalized by troublemakers, a family fights fire with fire.


Female Artillery
1973 · 1h 13m
country: United States
An outlaw joins up with a wagon train of pioneer women and secretly hides some money there, but his old gang shows up and wants their money - and the women.


Rolling Man
1972 · 1h 13m
country: United States
After serving time in prison for attempted murder of the man who caused his wife's death, hard-luck loser Lonnie comes home to find that all of his belongings have been sold and his two boys have been given to strangers to raise. He sets out across the country to find them and possibly to find himself.


The Great Man's Whiskers
1972 · 1h 36m
country: United States
A young girl writes to President Abraham Lincoln to advise him to grow a beard.


Duel
1971 · 1h 14m
country: United States
Traveling businessman David Mann angers the driver of a rusty tanker while crossing the California desert. A simple trip turns deadly, as Mann struggles to stay on the road while the tanker plays cat and mouse with his life.


The Forgotten Man
1971 · 1h 13m
country: United States
A Marine officer reported as killed in Vietnam, but who was actually a POW, returns home. Instead of being welcomed home, however, he discovers that his father has died, his wife has remarried, his daughter has been adopted, his business has been sold, and his life has completely changed.


What's the Matter with Helen?
1971 · 1h 41m
country: United States
Two middle-aged women move to Hollywood, California after their sons are convicted of a notorious murder and open a dance school for children eager to tap their way to stardom.


A Man Called Sledge
1970 · 1h 33m
country: Italy
James Garner is Luther Sledge, the leader of a pack of rebels who are planning to steal a stash of gold. But after the thieves actually manage to get away with the bounty, they soon discover that the enemy lies within their midst. As they begin to bicker over who should get the biggest cut, the stage is set for a deadly showdown. Claude Akins and John Marley co-star in this Italian Western directed by Vic Morrow.


Swing Out, Sweet Land
1970 · 1h 13m
country: Unknown
John Wayne and an all-star cast tell the story of America.


The Dean Martin Christmas Show
1968 · 48m
country: United States
A Classic Holiday Celebration with Dean and Friends.


Mission Batangas
1968 · 1h 40m
country: Unknown
Dennis Weaver is a mercenary pilot in the Pacific during WW2. He agrees to help Vera Miles steal the Phillipine treasury of gold away from the conquering Japanese forces.


Gentle Giant
1967 · 1h 35m
country: United States
The Story of a boy and his bear. The TV series ‘Gentle Ben’ was spun-off from this movie.


Gallegher Goes West
1966 · 3h 13m
country: Unknown
In Part 1, Gallegher befriends a man on the stagecoach while heading west, only to discover he is a famous outlaw, the Sundown Kid. The sheriff is crooked, too, so it is difficult for Gallegher and his friend, Detective Snead, to capture the Sundown Kid. Gallegher and his colleagues work for the recall of the corrupt mayor of Brimstone, even though the mayor tries to stop them by force. In Part 2, Gallegher buys and trains a horse, then is surprised when a local rancher is accused of murder. The boy is sure it is a frame-up, and he tries to help out. Gallegher continues to help the rancher who has been framed for murder, and after he finds an incriminating watch, he is able to reach the trial just in time to save the day.


Way... Way Out
1966 · 1h 41m
country: United States
A platonically wed American couple run a lunar weather station near an unwed Soviet couple.


Duel at Diablo
1966 · 1h 45m
country: United States
In Apache territory, a supply Army column heads for the next fort, an ex-scout searches for the killer of his Native wife, and a housewife abandons her husband to rejoin her Apache lover's tribe.


The Gallant Hours
1960 · 1h 55m
country: United States
A semi-documentary dramatization of five weeks in the life of Vice Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey, Jr., from his assignment to command the U.S. naval operations in the South Pacific to the Allied victory at Guadalcanal.


Touch of Evil
1958 · 1h 51m
country: United States
A border-town bombing draws Mexican investigator Miguel Vargas into a corruption-ridden police investigation led by crooked captain Hank Quinlan, setting off a deadly struggle over power, justice, and truth.


Storm Fear
1955 · 1h 28m
country: United States
A wounded bank robber takes over his brother's home.


Chief Crazy Horse
1955 · 1h 26m
country: United States
When young Crazy Horse, of whom great things were predicted, wins his bride, rival Little Big Man goes to villainous traders with evidence of gold in the sacred Lakota burial ground. Of course, a new gold rush starts despite all treaties, and Crazy Horse becomes military leader of his people. Initial Indian victories lead to the inevitable result. Uniquely, all is told from the Indian perspective.


Seven Angry Men
1955 · 1h 30m
country: United States
Rise, fall and execution of John Brown, fanatic abolitionist.


Ten Wanted Men
1955 · 1h 20m
country: United States
When his ward seeks protection with rival cattleman John Stewart, embittered, jealous rancher Wick Campbell hires ten outlaws to help him seize power in the territory.


Dragnet
1954 · 1h 29m
country: United States
Two homicide detectives try to find just the facts behind a mobster's brutal murder.


Dangerous Mission
1954 · 1h 15m
country: United States
A policeman tries to protect a young woman against a hit man, when she flees New York after witnessing a mob killing.


War Arrow
1953 · 1h 18m
country: United States
A thrilling Cavalry-versus-Indians adventure starring Jeff Chandler as an Army official recruiting Seminole allies, against his superior's wishes, to stop a planned Kiowa attack.


The Golden Blade
1953 · 1h 21m
country: United States
A dashing merchant uses the magic sword of Damascus to free a Baghdad princess from the clutches of a grand vizier and his son.


The Man from the Alamo
1953 · 1h 19m
country: United States
During the war for Texas independence, one man leaves the Alamo before the end (chosen by lot to help others' families) but is too late to accomplish his mission, and is branded a coward. Since he cannot now expose a gang of turncoats, he infiltrates them instead. Can he save a wagon train of refugees from Wade's Guerillas?


Column South
1953 · 1h 24m
country: United States
In the weeks prior to the start of the Civil War, Confederate sympathizers hope to help their cause by inciting a Navajo war in the New Mexico Territory. Director Frederick de Cordova's 1953 western stars Audie Murphy, Robert Sterling, Joan Evans, Ray Collins, Dennis Weaver, Palmer Lee, Jack Kelly, James Best, Bob Steele and Ralph Moody.


Law and Order
1953 · 1h 20m
country: United States
Wild West lawman Frame Johnson arrests a notorious outlaw, but, after the locals threaten to break into the prison and hang the crook without a trial, Johnson gets fed up with injustice. He decides to put his days of gunslinging behind him in favor of a simple domestic life with his lover, Jeannie. The couple move to the supposedly idyllic Cottonwood — only to find that their new home has been overrun by a rogue rancher who has unfinished business with Frame.


The Mississippi Gambler
1953 · 1h 39m
country: United States
Mark Fallon, with partner Kansas John Polly, tries to introduce honest gambling on the riverboats. His first success makes enemies of the crooked gamblers and of fair Angelique Dureau, whose necklace he won. Later in New Orleans, Mark befriends Angelique's father, but she still affects to despise him as his gambling career brings him wealth. Duelling, tragedy, and romantic complications follow.


The Redhead from Wyoming
1953 · 1h 20m
country: United States
A saloonkeeper sides with the sheriff for justice after she's framed for rustling.


The Lawless Breed
1952 · 1h 23m
country: United States
After being released from prison, ex-gunfighter John Wesley Hardin hopes to have his autobiography published in order to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.


Horizons West
1952 · 1h 21m
country: United States
Brothers Dan and Neil Hammond return to Texas after the Civil War. Ambitious Dan turns to rustling and then shady land deals to build an empire. Being held for a murder, he is rescued from a lynch mob by Neil, who is now the Marshal, but there is eventually a falling out between the brothers, good triumphing over evil.