Denver Pyle
Born
May 11, 1920
Died
December 25, 1997 (77 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Bethune, Colorado, USA
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. Memorial services were held January 6, 1998, at First Baptist Church in Waxahachie, Texas. He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Forreston Cemetery in Forreston, Texas. His remains are interred beside those of his second wife's parents, J.T. Johnston and Erin Birch Johnston. CLR
Known For
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
Uncle Jesse Duke
1997
What a Cartoon!
Podunk Possum (voice) · (1 episode)
1995
Cybill
(1 episode)
1995
Father and Scout
George Rosebrock
1994
Maverick
Old Gambler on Riverboat
1994
John Wayne's 'The Alamo'
Self
1992
Delta Fever
Walt
1987
L.A. Law
Harold Nordoff · (1 episode)
1986
Return to Mayberry
Briscoe Darling
1986
Murder, She Wrote
Eben Connors · (1 episode)
1984
The Dukes
Uncle Jesse (voice) · (20 episodes)
1983
Mercur: The Town that Can't Stay Dead
Narrator
1983
Legend of the Wild
Narrator (Voice)
1981
When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion
Self
1979
The Dukes of Hazzard
Jesse Duke · (147 episodes)
1979
Once Upon a Starry Night
Mad Jack
1978
How Bugs Bunny Won the West
Narrator
1978
Dallas
Blackie Callahan · (2 episodes)
1978
Return from Witch Mountain
Uncle Bene
1978
Legend of the Northwest
1978
Grizzly Adams
(37 episodes)
1977
How the West Was Won
Sgt. Tripp · (1 episode)
1977
Guardian of the Wilderness
Galen Clark
1976
Welcome to L.A.
Carl Barber
1976
The Last of Mrs. Lincoln
Senator Austin
1976
Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson
The Indian Agent (McLaughlin)
1976
Hawmps!
Col. Seymour Hawkins
1976
The Adventures of Frontier Fremont
Old mountain man
1976
Winterhawk
Arkansas
1975
The Boy Who Talked to Badgers
Ben as an Adult
1975
Escape to Witch Mountain
Uncle Bene
1975
Karen
(13 episodes)
1975
Petrocelli
(1 episode)
1974
The Manhunter
(1 episode)
1974
Murder or Mercy
Amos Champion
1974
The Legend of Hillbilly John
Grandpappy John
1974
Hog Wild
Dr. Larson
1974
Cahill: United States Marshal
Denver
1973
Barnaby Jones
Stayley Kircher · (1 episode)
1973
Kung Fu
Dr. Joseph Colton · (2 episodes)
1972
The Streets of San Francisco
(1 episode)
1972
The Waltons
(1 episode)
1972
Something Big
Junior Frisbee
1971
Cannon
(1 episode)
1971
Hitched
Ben Barnstable
1971
Mean Justice
Tom Rawling
1971
The Doris Day Show
Buck Webb · (80 episodes)
1968
5 Card Stud
Sig Evers
1968
Bandolero!
Muncie Carter
1968
The High Chaparral
General Warren · (1 episode)
1967
Hondo
(1 episode)
1967
The Guns of Will Sonnett
(1 episode)
1967
Cimarron Strip
(1 episode)
1967
Bonnie and Clyde
Frank Hamer
1967
Tammy and the Millionaire
Grandpa Mordecai Tarleton
1967
Welcome to Hard Times
Alfie - Stage Driver
1967
Incident at Phantom Hill
1st Hunter
1966
Gunpoint
Cap
1966
Mara of the Wilderness
Kelly
1965
Tammy
Mordecai Tarleton · (26 episodes)
1965
The Great Race
Sheriff
1965
Shenandoah
Pastor Bjoerling
1965
The Rounders
Bull
1965
Cheyenne Autumn
Sen. Henry (uncredited)
1964
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Titus Purcell · (1 episode)
1964
Mail Order Bride
Preacher Pope
1964
Black Like Me
Man in pick-up truck
1964
The Great Adventure
Gen. Mills · (1 episode)
1963
Mr. Novak
Brill · (1 episode)
1963
Channing
Sam Riddle · (1 episode)
1963
The Lieutenant
(1 episode)
1963
Terrified
Sheriff Dixon
1963
Empire
Tom Rawling · (1 episode)
1962
The Virginian
Pico Brown · (1 episode)
1962
Geronimo
Senator Conrad
1962
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Amos Carruthers
1962
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Uncle George · (1 episode)
1961
Ben Casey
(1 episode)
1961
Dr. Kildare
R. E. Lenger · (1 episode)
1961
Cain's Hundred
Chief Amos Trask · (1 episode)
1961
The Alamo
Thimblerig (the Gambler)
1960
Route 66
(2 episodes)
1960
Stagecoach West
(1 episode)
1960
The Andy Griffith Show
Briscoe Darling · (6 episodes)
1960
National Velvet
(1 episode)
1960
The Aquanauts
Captain Leo Stohl · (1 episode)
1960
Thriller
Ortho Wheeler · (1 episode)
1960
The Tall Man
Marshal Dave Leggert · (1 episode)
1960
Home from the Hill
Mr. Bradley
1960
The Detectives
(1 episode)
1959
Bourbon Street Beat
(1 episode)
1959
The Twilight Zone
Stu Tillman · (1 episode)
1959
Law of the Plainsman
Burke Carew · (1 episode)
1959
Men Into Space
(1 episode)
1959
Wichita Town
(1 episode)
1959
Riverboat
Jim Bledsoe · (1 episode)
1959
The Deputy
Akins · (1 episode)
1959
Bonanza
Price Buchanan · (1 episode)
1959
Bonanza
Claude Roman · (1 episode)
1959
Bonanza
Sheriff Ed · (1 episode)
1959
Bonanza
Marcus Caldwell · (1 episode)
1959
Cast a Long Shadow
Preacher Harrison
1959
The Horse Soldiers
Jackie Jo
1959
King of the Wild Stallions
MacGuire's Henchman
1959
Rawhide
John Wesley 'Daddy' Quade · (1 episode)
1959
Good Day for a Hanging
Deputy Ed Moore
1959
Bat Masterson
Dan Morgan · (1 episode)
1958
Bat Masterson
Walsh (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1958
Lawman
(1 episode)
1958
Behind Closed Doors
Roger Woodson · (1 episode)
1958
The Rifleman
(5 episodes)
1958
The Texan
(1 episode)
1958
The Texan
Sheriff · (1 episode)
1958
The Texan
Chip Andrews · (1 episode)
1958
The Texan
Houston Blackston · (1 episode)
1958
Bronco
(3 episodes)
1958
The Party Crashers
Mr. Bickford
1958
Bitter Heritage
Sam Wheeler
1958
China Doll
Col. Wiley
1958
Fort Massacre
Collins
1958
The Left Handed Gun
Ollinger
1958
Jefferson Drum
Bart Resdake · (1 episode)
1958
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer
Braddock · (1 episode)
1958
26 Men
(2 episodes)
1957
Jet Pilot
Mr. Simpson
1957
Casey Jones
Frank Reeder · (1 episode)
1957
Domino Kid
Bill Dragger
1957
Maverick
(1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Robert Crane · (1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Jackson Sidemark · (1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Tom Quincy · (1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Tilden Stuart · (1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Emery Fillmore · (1 episode)
1957
Perry Mason
Frank Honer · (1 episode)
1957
Wagon Train
Bragg · (1 episode)
1957
Have Gun, Will Travel
(3 episodes)
1957
Have Gun, Will Travel
Pete Hollister · (1 episode)
1957
Have Gun, Will Travel
Clay Sommers · (1 episode)
1957
Have Gun, Will Travel
McKay · (1 episode)
1957
Have Gun, Will Travel
Advent · (1 episode)
1957
The Lonely Man
Brad, Red Bluff Sheriff
1957
Destination 60,000
Mickey Hill
1957
Gun Duel In Durango
Ranger Captain
1957
7th Cavalry
Dixon
1956
Yaqui Drums
Lefty Barr
1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
John Baker · (1 episode)
1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Marshal Quimby · (1 episode)
1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Sheriff · (1 episode)
1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Sheriff Tom · (1 episode)
1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Seth Robson · (1 episode)
1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Marshal Joe Sully · (1 episode)
1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Nat Sledge · (1 episode)
1956
State Trooper
Mark Schmedler · (1 episode)
1956
Broken Arrow
Fred Graf · (1 episode)
1956
The Adventures of Jim Bowie
(2 episodes)
1956
The Naked Hills
Bert Killian / Narrator
1956
I Killed Wild Bill Hickok
Jim Bailey
1956
Please Murder Me
Det. Lt. Bradley
1956
Top Gun
Hank Spencer (uncredited)
1955
Fury
Carter · (1 episode)
1955
The 20th Century Fox Hour
Lester · (1 episode)
1955
The 20th Century Fox Hour
Charley · (1 episode)
1955
My Friend Flicka
Alec · (1 episode)
1955
Frontier
(2 episodes)
1955
To Hell and Back
Thompson
1955
Cheyenne
(1 episode)
1955
Cheyenne
Cyrus Burton · (1 episode)
1955
Cheyenne
John Hanson · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Willie Calhoun · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Hank Shinn · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Mike Blocker · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Gus · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Haggen · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Aaron · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Pa · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Caleb · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Claudius · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Clab Chummer · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Caleb Nash · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Dr. Henry S. Rand · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Judge Blent · (1 episode)
1955
Gunsmoke
Cyrus Himes · (1 episode)
1955
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
(4 episodes)
1955
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Ben Thompson · (5 episodes)
1955
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Hoss Mackey · (1 episode)
1955
Run for Cover
Harvey (uncredited)
1955
Rage at Dawn
Clint Reno
1955
Buffalo Bill Jr.
(2 episodes)
1955
Ten Wanted Men
1955
The Millionaire
Arthur Darner · (1 episode)
1955
The Yellow Mountain
(uncredited)
1954
Drum Beat
Fairchild (uncredited)
1954
The Wonderful World of Disney
Mr. Royal (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1954
The Wonderful World of Disney
Dr. Larson · (2 episodes)
1954
The Wonderful World of Disney
Amos Briggs (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1954
The Wonderful World of Disney
Ben as an Adult (voice) · (2 episodes)
1954
Lassie
(1 episode)
1954
Johnny Guitar
Posseman (uncredited)
1954
The Lone Wolf
Kargar · (1 episode)
1954
Public Defender
Tom Gayley · (1 episode)
1954
Public Defender
George Hansen · (1 episode)
1954
The Boy from Oklahoma
Bagley
1954
The Command
Infantryman (uncredited)
1954
Ride Clear of Diablo
Reverend Moorehead
1954
Annie Oakley
Dr. Barnes · (1 episode)
1954
Annie Oakley
Tom Malloy · (1 episode)
1954
Texas Bad Man
Tench
1953
Vigilante Terror
Henchman Sperry
1953
Topeka
Jonas Bailey
1953
Column South
Confederate Spy in Yankee Uniform (uncredited)
1953
Goldtown Ghost Riders
Bernie Malloy (uncredited)
1953
The Lone Hand
Regulator (uncredited)
1953
Rebel City
Greeley
1953
Gunsmoke
Greasy (uncredited)
1953
A Perilous Journey
Bartender
1953
Fort Vengeance
Rider Warning About Wagon Train (uncredited)
1953
I'm the Law
(1 episode)
1953
The Maverick
Bud Karnes
1952
Canyon Ambush
Tom Carlton-Replaced (credit only)
1952
Adventures of Superman
Emile Hatch · (1 episode)
1952
Hopalong Cassidy
(2 episodes)
1952
Fargo
Carey
1952
Desert Passage
Allen
1952
Man from the Black Hills
Glenn Hartley
1952
Oklahoma Annie
Skip
1952
Mutiny
Gunner / Mutineer (uncredited)
1952
The Roy Rogers Show
(4 episodes)
1951
Hills of Utah
Bowie French
1951
Drums in the Deep South
Union Soldier Breaking Window (uncredited)
1951
The Adventures of Kit Carson
(5 episodes)
1951
Million Dollar Pursuit
Nick Algren
1951
Rough Riders of Durango
Henchman Lacey
1951
The Gene Autry Show
(7 episodes)
1950
The Gene Autry Show
Frank Blake · (1 episode)
1950
The Gene Autry Show
Burr Ramsey · (1 episode)
1950
The Gene Autry Show
Dodge Hartman · (1 episode)
1950
The Old Frontier
Henchman George
1950
Customs Agent
Al
1950
Dynamite Pass
Henchman
1950
Federal Agent at Large
'Jumpy' Jordan
1950
Singing Guns
Richards Henchman
1950
Captain China
Steve
1950
The Flying Saucer
Turner
1950
The Big Wheel
Track Intern
1949
Flame of Youth
Lytz
1949
The Lone Ranger
Deputy French · (1 episode)
1949
The Lone Ranger
Colby · (1 episode)
1949
The Lone Ranger
Stack · (1 episode)
1949
The Lone Ranger
Deputy Allen · (1 episode)
1949
Too Late for Tears
Young Man at Union Station (uncredited)
1949
Rim of the Canyon
Cash Collins (uncredited)
1949
Hellfire
Rex
1949
Red Canyon
Hutch
1949
Streets of San Francisco
Ed Quinn
1949
El Paso
Vigilante (uncredited)
1949
The Man from Colorado
Easy Jarrett
1948
The Man from Colorado
Easy Jarrett (uncredited)
1948
Marshal of Amarillo
The Night Clerk
1948
Train to Alcatraz
Hutch Hutchins
1948
Where the North Begins
Jim Rockwell
1947
Devil Ship
Carl
1947
The Guilt of Janet Ames
Man in Opening Scene (uncredited)
1947