John Anderson - The Actor

[boykinlp]

I am sure many fellow forum members watch "Westerns" both movie and TV versions. It seems like John Anderson is in most all of them. I think he does a really good job. I think it is funny when he plays different characters in the same series.

Wikipedia says he was cast 239 times! Gunsmoke (12 times), The Rifleman (11 Times), The Big Valley, Laramie, The Virginian, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Bonanza,The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, to name just a few. More include: Matlock, Star Trek, MacGyver, Dallas, M*A*S*H, The Incredible Hulk, The Rockford Files, Little Housse on the Prairie, Cannon, Emergency, Perry Mason, Kung Fu, and Lassie.

It seems he worked with everybody and on many famous TV shows at one time or another. I am surprised that he was never cast as the lead role in a series. Apparently Hollywood liked him.

https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...4QFjAI&usg=AFQjCNHkzOsJsPxSpwr3iCC5ajkk6lxrzw

 

[THE PILGRIM]

He was in a lot of shows. I didn't recognize his name but when I saw his picture I certainly remembered him.

 

[Dennis The B]

He was one of those actors without whom, no movie would have "character", especially westerns. He was one of the "Oh, I remember him. What's his name?" types, who plied their skills, without a lot of fanfare. But their faces and characterizations are unforgettable.

If it weren't for actors like John Anderson, Dub Taylor, Strother Martin, Ben Johnson, Warren Oates, and Edmund O'Brien, I doubt that westerns would have been as nearly entertaining.

 

[UncleEd]

One of his most notable appearances was in "Ride the High Country" in the role of the father of three idiot sons played by
Warren Oates, L.Q. Jones and James Drury.

 

[H Richard]

He also played Lincoln in a couple of movies. He is originally from Quincy, IL, and I have met him. He was a classmate of one of my former bosses.

 

[rwsmith]

I've seen him about every day.........

Watching MeTV I've see him a LOT. Very good character actor. You know we had a lot of those back in the day.

 

[Straightshooter2]

Probably what kept him from being cast in a lead role was, number 1, his looks and number 2, his voice. He wasn't the best looking guy in Hollywood. Plus he had that really gravelly voice and people most likely thought his voice would end up bothering people if exposed to it constantly.

CW

 

[Photog]

Interesting page. Went to the character actors index and noticed that Paul Fix was not on the list. He played Micah, the sheriff, on The Rifleman and appeared an dozens of other movies and shows.

 

[Straightshooter2]

If it weren't for actors like John Anderson, Dub Taylor, Strother Martin, Ben Johnson, Warren Oates, and Edmund O'Brien, I doubt that westerns would have been as nearly entertaining.

Don't forget Harry Carey Jr. and Dr. Edgar Buchanan (DDS) in that group.

CW

 

[the ringo kid]

I am sure many fellow forum members watch "Westerns" both movie and TV versions. It seems like John Anderson is in most all of them. I think he does a really good job. I think it is funny when he plays different characters in the same series.

Wikipedia says he was cast 239 times! Gunsmoke (12 times), The Rifleman (11 Times), The Big Valley, Laramie, The Virginian, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Bonanza,The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, to name just a few. More include: Matlock, Star Trek, MacGyver, Dallas, M*A*S*H, The Incredible Hulk, The Rockford Files, Little Housse on the Prairie, Cannon, Emergency, Perry Mason, Kung Fu, and Lassie.

It seems he worked with everybody and on many famous TV shows at one time or another. I am surprised that he was never cast as the lead role in a series. Apparently Hollywood liked him.

https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...4QFjAI&usg=AFQjCNHkzOsJsPxSpwr3iCC5ajkk6lxrzw

He sure was good. I cant count the numbers of Westerns ive seen him in-TV series or movies.

 

[the ringo kid]

He was one of those actors without whom, no movie would have "character", especially westerns. He was one of the "Oh, I remember him. What's his name?" types, who plied their skills, without a lot of fanfare. But their faces and characterizations are unforgettable.

If it weren't for actors like John Anderson, Dub Taylor, Strother Martin, Ben Johnson, Warren Oates, and Edmund O'Brien, I doubt that westerns would have been as nearly entertaining.

Dub "Cannonball" Taylor--loved the guy. I forget who he was a sidekick to? but he was very good in his own right. He was one I never had trouble recognizing at all. Same goes for the rest of your list and including: John McIntire, Albert Salmi and loads of others.

 

[the ringo kid]

Interesting page. Went to the character actors index and noticed that Paul Fix was not on the list. He played Micah, the sheriff, on The Rifleman and appeared an dozens of other movies and shows.

I agree on Paul Fix, Ive seen him in hundreds of things and loved that he made so many early Westerns too. Also, Harry Carey Jr was his Son in Law. Paul Fix was the main one who is credited for teaching Duke the: "Western Walk."

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A while back I was walking through the SASS grounds, which is just east of town. I see a guy throwing a rope over a practice dummy.
I turn to the lady with me and say there is Buck Taylor.
She says who is Buck Taylor?
I say his dad is Dub Taylor. She goes from confused to very confused.
Then I tell her who they are. Here's Ma and Pa at SASS.

 

[Joe Kent]

As H Richard said in an above post, John Anderson was from our hometown and was a frequent visitor when he was home. He was a close friend and classmate of my father as well as being Drum Major of our High School band. He was well thought of by all who knew him and well liked in general, an all around good guy who always stayed busy between TV, the movies and the stage. All my very best, Joe.

 

[POPPER]

If it's OK with ya all since we're talking about not just John Anderson but several other actors like him were the westerns we watched would have been duds without these guys and gals also. Wonder if any of you ever heard about how Ben Johnson got his start in the movie business. The story I heard way back when was The Duke was making a western and sorry to say I forget where it was being filmed but the way I heard it a female actress on the set had her horse bolt and runaway with her and Ben Johnson was in fact a real cowpuncher working in the area and saw the runaway situation spurred up and got the girls horse under control. John Wayne was so impressed with Johnson he offered him an opportunity to get into acting and stunt work. Don't know if this really happened and can't even remember where I heard this. It was years ago.

 

[the ringo kid]

If it's OK with ya all since we're talking about not just John Anderson but several other actors like him were the westerns we watched would have been duds without these guys and gals also. Wonder if any of you ever heard about how Ben Johnson got his start in the movie business. The story I heard way back when was The Duke was making a western and sorry to say I forget where it was being filmed but the way I heard it a female actress on the set had her horse bolt and runaway with her and Ben Johnson was in fact a real cowpuncher working in the area and saw the runaway situation spurred up and got the girls horse under control. John Wayne was so impressed with Johnson he offered him an opportunity to get into acting and stunt work. Don't know if this really happened and can't even remember where I heard this. It was years ago.

The version I heard, was that he was such a great Wrangler-that he was spotted and offered a chance at acting. This had to be in Arizona and he was a World famed Rodeo Star. I remember seeing him in a starring role in Mighty Joe Young--which shocked the heck outta me to see him do a Sci Fi thing-instead of a Western.

Some favorites with him in them:

Major Dundee as Sgt. Chillum:

And of course in: The Wild Bunch--among many others:

 

[POPPER]

If it's OK with ya all since we're talking about not just John Anderson but several other actors like him were the westerns we watched would have been duds without these guys and gals also. Wonder if any of you ever heard about how Ben Johnson got his start in the movie business. The story I heard way back when was The Duke was making a western and sorry to say I forget where it was being filmed but the way I heard it a female actress on the set had her horse bolt and runaway with her and Ben Johnson was in fact a real cowpuncher working in the area and saw the runaway situation spurred up and got the girls horse under control. John Wayne was so impressed with Johnson he offered him an opportunity to get into acting and stunt work. Don't know if this really happened and can't even remember where I heard this. It was years ago.

Going to reply to my own deal here if I may. I should have checked this story about Ben Johnson out before I shot off my mouth. I was partly right. Heres what really happened. Ben was born in a ranchers family in Okla, was a sure enough cowboy from Okla and rodeo star in the PRCA. A heck of a roper. Anyway. He was hauling a bunch of horses from Okla to Hollywood and got offered an opportunity to be a stunt man for John Fords movies. This part I almost had right. While he was stunting on one of the sets there were three guys in a horse drawn wagon that bolted and ran. Ben Johnson came to the rescue and got the horses under control. Glen Ford was so impressed with this Okla cowboy he signed him to a 5 yr acting contract.

 

[the ringo kid]

Hi Popper, ive heard that too. John Ford did indeed do what you listed, id forgotten about that part. Also, if I recall correctly? Ben Johnson was one that John Ford never seriously picked on like he was famed for doing. I also heard that when he tried? Ben Johnson threatened and very well could have--beat him into the dust.

 

[Fafner]

Dabs Greer was another character actor who appeared on everything from the Rifleman to Perry Mason. He was top notch.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

Don't forget Ward Bond. He was the best character actor IMO.

He was in everything. I'm surprised he is not mentioned in the Bible.