Denver Pyle

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Denver Dell Pyle (May 11, 1920 – December 25, 1997) was an American film and television actor. He was known for portraying Briscoe Darling Jr. in several episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, and playing Jesse Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard from 1979-85. Pyle was born in Bethune, Colorado on May 11, 1920 to farmer Ben H. Pyle and his wife Maude; His brother, Willis, was an animator known for his work with Walt Disney Animation Studios and UPA. After graduating from high school, Pyle briefly attended Colorado State University, but dropped out to enter show business, moving to Los Angeles in 1940. He worked as a drummer and band member until the United States entered World War II, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Pyle was wounded in action in the Battle of Guadalcanal and received a medical discharge in 1942. Near the end of the war, he served in the United States Merchant Marine. In 1955, Pyle married Marilee Carpenter, a production assistant at 20th Century Fox. They had sons David and Tony. Marilee and Denver divorced in 1970. In 1983, Pyle married Tippie Johnston. That union lasted until his death. Pyle died of lung cancer on Christmas 1997…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Bonnie and Clyde (1967) — Frank Hamer
2. Maverick (1994) — Old Gambler on Riverboat
3. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) — Amos Carruthers
4. The Twilight Zone (1959) — Stu Tillman
5. Bonanza (1959) — Price Buchanan
6. Johnny Guitar (1954) — Posseman (uncredited)
7. Murder, She Wrote (1984) — Eben Connors
8. The Alamo (1960) — Thimblerig (the Gambler)
9. The Great Race (1965) — Sheriff
10. The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) — Jesse Duke
11. The Horse Soldiers (1959) — Jackie Jo
12. Dallas (1978) — Blackie Callahan
13. Return from Witch Mountain (1978) — Uncle Bene
14. Kung Fu (1972) — Dr. Joseph Colton
15. Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) — Uncle Bene
16. The Love Boat (1977) — Eric Springer
17. The Andy Griffith Show (1960) — Briscoe Darling
18. Shenandoah (1965) — Pastor Bjoerling
19. Cahill: United States Marshal (1973) — Denver
20. Cheyenne Autumn (1964) — Sen. Henry (uncredited)
21. Perry Mason (1957) — Robert Crane
22. Bandolero! (1968) — Muncie Carter
23. The Left Handed Gun (1958) — Ollinger
24. Gunsmoke (1955) — Willie Calhoun
25. Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976) — The Indian Agent (McLaughlin)
26. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) — Uncle George
27. The Waltons (1972) — Cousin Homer Lee Baldwin
28. The Streets of San Francisco (1972) — Carl Armstrong
29. Too Late for Tears (1949) — Young Man at Union Station (uncredited)
30. 5 Card Stud (1968) — Sig Evers
31. L.A. Law (1986) — Harold Nordoff
32. Lassie (1954) — Mr. Madden
33. Home from the Hill (1960) — Mr. Bradley
34. Return to Mayberry (1986) — Briscoe Darling
35. To Hell and Back (1955) — Thompson
36. Adventures of Superman (1952) — Emile Hatch
37. The Rifleman (1958)
38. The Man from Colorado (1948) — Easy Jarrett
39. Jet Pilot (1957) — Mr. Simpson
40. Rawhide (1959) — John Wesley 'Daddy' Quade

Directed

1. The Doris Day Show (1968) — Director