🎬Denver Pyle

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

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Recent movies

#	Name	Character	Rating
1	The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997)	Uncle Jesse Duke		10
2	Maverick (1994)	Old Gambler on Riverboat		7.1
3	Return from Witch Mountain (1978)	Uncle Bene		6
4	Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976)	The Indian Agent (McLaughlin)		4.3
5	Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)	Uncle Bene		7.1
6	Cahill: United States Marshal (1973)	Denver		10
7	Bonnie and Clyde (1967)	Frank Hamer		7.6
8	Shenandoah (1965)	Pastor Bjoerling	-	-
9	The Great Race (1965)	Sheriff		8.5
10	Cheyenne Autumn (1964)	Sen. Henry (uncredited)		6
11	The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)	Amos Carruthers		6.8
12	Geronimo (1962)	Senator Conrad		8
13	The Alamo (1960)	Thimblerig (the Gambler)		4.5
14	Home from the Hill (1960)	Mr. Bradley		4
15	The Horse Soldiers (1959)	Jackie Jo		7
16	The Left Handed Gun (1958)	Ollinger		6.2
17	Jet Pilot (1957)	Mr. Simpson		3
18	Please Murder Me (1956)	Det. Lt. Bradley		3
19	To Hell and Back (1955)	Thompson		6
20	Johnny Guitar (1954)	Posseman (uncredited)		5.3
21	Fargo (1952)	Carey	-	-
22	The Flying Saucer (1950)	Turner	-	-
23	Too Late for Tears (1949)	Young Man at Union Station (uncredited)		6
24	Hellfire (1949)	Rex		5