Dennis Weaver
Actor
About This Interview
Dennis Weaver (1924-2006) was interviewed for two hours in Malibu, CA. Weaver reminisced about growing up in Missouri during the Great Depression, and remembered working as a migrant worker in his summers. He talked about his move to New York and his early acting experience, on the stage and on television. He described his move to Hollywood under contract with Universal, and his move from feature films into television in the mid-1950s. Next, he spoke at length about his co-starring role on the long-running classic Gunsmoke, detailing the origins of his character Chester’s limp and country bumpkin accent. He also talked about his subsequent work on series including Kentucky Jones and Gentle Ben, and discussed his leading role on NBC’s McCloud. Finally, he spoke about his more recent work, from movies made-for-television including Duel to the series Stone and Buck Jones. The interview was conducted by Henry Colman on September 24, 2002.
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Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On his childhood, education, interest in acting and his first roles in television
- Chapter 2
- On working in a Pall Mall commercial; on studying acting; on getting a contract with Universal; and on working in various episodic series including Dragnet
- On working with Orson Welles in his feature film Touch of Evil
- On the concept of Gunsmoke; on being cast as Chester; on developing the character's limp
- Chapter 3
- On working with cast and crew of Gunsmoke; the production details; on leaving the series and its legacy
- On starring in Kentucky Jones
- On starring in Gentle Ben
- On being cast in McCloud and the concept of the series
- Chapter 4
- On the production of McCloud
- On starring in the TV movie Duel
- On starring in the TV movie Amber Waves
- On starring in Stone
- On starring in Emerald Point, NAS
- On starring in Buck James
- On his philanthropic efforts with LIFE, a hunger organization
- On appearing in Lonesome Dove, The Virginian, and High Noon TV movies
- Chapter 5
- On his Institute of Ecolonomics which focuses on the interdependence of ecology and economics
- On summing up his career, on his acting style, on his advice to aspiring actors, on changes in the industry and the popularity of the western genre, and how he'd like to be remembered
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Top actor - still feel chilled when I watch Duel! RIP Dennis.
I had the most absolute honor to know Dennis while he was alive. He and my grandfather were best friends. My grandpa owned a ranch in Wyoming and he invited Dennis and his wife Gerry to the ranch. They gladly accepted the offer and they drove to Wyoming in their car and came to the ranch. He sat down with me many times to talk story. He didnt talk about his movie career too much. But he was always the nicest man ever. He treated his wife like she was a queen and treated us like we were family.
Let me get this straight - you didn't care much fior the characters of "muley" or "fetus", eh? Are you serous? I don't remember a "muley" but there was a Newley. No "fetus" either, but there was a quite popular character called Festus. I never heard about any of the problems you say you heard about - I heard they all got along quite well.
r.i.p mr weaver-much love..you're in my thoughts always-you are a beautiful person! and an extraordinary actor xoxo
youre always remembered.
I knew you well and you were a great and I'm proud to be best friends with your grandson R.I.P
Awesome interview! Great Actor, even better human being.
R.I.P. Mr. Dennis Weaver
Jai guru
Excellent interview , and Ive been a Denis Weaver fan since Gentle Ben. And I enjoyed watching whatever movie or TV show he was on. He always kept his name out of the paper..clean living. And I dont know how old he was when they shot this ,but this dude is razor sharp..must be his healthy lifestyle. I believe he should have won an Academy Award for "Duel" . He nailed that part. I bought the newer remastered version .....Excellent! One of my favorites
i have been asked what Mr.weaver said when the cast was ordered to leave Nashville tn by the police it was kind of funny he said on the plane that he had been run out of better towns as Chester but it was miss.Blake who was very upset because of the fans of the show didn't no the reason until she made a statement about it and out of respect for the cast the Beverly hillbillies,petticoat junction,cast canceled there appearances in Nashville with regret to the fans.it was very sad for the fans
RIP Mr. Weaver.
I only meet him a few dozen times in person at SRF events over the years. I was always impressed with his spiritual energy. Truly a nice man.
Mccloud..Yeah ! that was a great tv show. Cop on a horse in NYC.
Dennis Weaver >The Man > The Myth > The Legend.
he really was and a hell of a better actor and a whole lot nicer,i lost interest in gunsmoke when Chester left i just did not like the character fetus and i did not care for muley or fetus in fact Amanda Blake did not get along with ken Curtis never talked except in there scenes.it was reported that James arness was on the verge of having buck Taylor fired for always griping about his scenes but kitty ,Matt,and Chester were the best of all that played on there.
Dennis Weaver was one cool guy...
Weaver turns Spielberg into power house film maker, kind of like that idea.
I will always remember Dennis Weaver for his betterment of humanity. Always. His family should be proud of him and I am sure they already are.
sweet billy :)
i always thought chest in gunsmoke was funny RIP
Peace and Blessings to the whole Weaver Family. Dennis and Gerry's 50th wedding anniversary was one of the most beautiful celebrations I ever attended. So much love. Family and friends are the greatest gifts anyone could ever have and the way Dennis and Gerry lived the life was a great road map for all of us. Peace and Blessings and a big hug to Gerry where ever you are. If you get back to Santa Monica contact me...I promise you another two hour foot massage.
Dennis is duel. LEGEND
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