Rusty weaver
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Dennis Weaver
William Dennis Weaver, actor: born Joplin, Missouri 4 June 1924; married 1945 Gerry Stowell (three sons); died Ridgway, Colorado 24 February 2006.
Dennis Weaver was familiar in his Stetson to television viewers worldwide - first as the limping deputy sheriff, Chester Goode, to James Arness's Matt Dillon in the classic western series Gunsmoke, then as the cowboy- lawman causing mayhem in the big city in McCloud. "McCloud was the kind of role I left Gunsmoke to get," he said. "I wanted to be a leading man instead of a second banana."
But the second banana was part of one of the biggest success stories in television's so-called Golden Age. He played the sheriff's number two during Gunsmoke's early years (1955-64), speaking with a twang and always calling his 6ft 7in boss "Muster Dellon".
The series, set in Dodge City during the late 19th century and styled as an "adult" western, but effectively a weekly morality play, began on radio and was given John Wayne's seal of approval on screen when the film star - who turned down the lead role but recommended Arness - int
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About Dennis
Dennis Weaver was born Billy Dennis Weaver on June 4, 1924 in Joplin, Missouri. He grew up during the Depression, working on the family farm, and later they traveled to California and Oregon to work. Dennis was a football, baskeball, and track star in Joplin Junior College. During World War II, he served as a Navy pilot. After the war, he returned to school, graduating from the University of Oklahoma at Norman with a degree in Fine Arts and Theater. While at the university, he was chosen for the 1948 United States Olympic Trials, where he finished 6th in the decathlon.
From boyhood, Dennis wanted to be an actor. After graduation, he went to New York City to try acting. Because there was another “Bill” Weaver, Equity insisted he use another name; he chose his middle name, Dennis.
Dennis began as a stage actor, supporting the family by selling vacuum cleaners, tricycles and women’s hosiery. In 1945, Dennis had married his childhood sweetheart, Gerry Stowell. They later had three sons, Rick, Robert, and Rusty. During the early acting years, Dennis and Gerry took an
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Dennis Weaver
Dennis Weaver | |
|---|---|
Weaver in 1997 | |
| In office 1973–1975 | |
| Preceded by | John Gavin |
| Succeeded by | Kathleen Nolan |
| Born | (1924-06-04)June 4, 1924 Joplin, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | February 24, 2006(2006-02-24) (aged 81) Ridgway, Colorado, U.S. |
| Resting place | Cremated |
| Spouse(s) | Gerry Stowell (m. 1945–2006) |
| Occupation | Actor |
William 'Billy' Dennis Weaver (June 4, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American actor. He was best known for his work in television. His TV roles included Chester Goode on the long-running western series Gunsmoke, Marshal Sam McCloud on the NBCpolicedramaMcCloud. He was in the 1971 TV movie Duel. He has won an Emmy Award in 1959.
Weaver was born on June 4, 1924 in Joplin, Missouri. He studied at Joplin Junior College and at the University of Oklahoma. He was married to Gerry Stowell from 1945 until his death in 2006. They had three children. Weaver died of complications of cancer at his home in Ridgway, Colorado on February 24, 2006.[
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