George Dunn (actor)

Born Ollen George Dunn (November 23, 1914 – April 27, 1982) was an American actor, humorist, vaudeville performer, and satirist born in Brownwood, Texas. He often portrayed Western characters in film and television. His homespun wit, rope tricks, and satirizing of American life, politics, and sports reflected the strong influence Will Rogers had on him as an entertainer.^[1]

Dunn made his way to New York City to perform in vaudeville. From there, he went on to Hollywood, where he appeared in twenty five motion pictures and more than one hundred television shows. Some of his appearances were uncredited bit parts.

Dunn predominantly appeared in minor supporting roles during his television and film career.^[2] One of his major roles was "The Prophet" in Operation Petticoat, alongside Tony Curtis and Gavin MacLeod. Dunn also appeared in several other well-known films, including Giant, Inherit the Wind, The Long, Hot Summer, The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm, and Shenandoah. In another phase of his career, he appeared in a number of John Cassavetes films, including Faces and A Woman Under the Influence. Like John Wayne's, Dunn's final role was in The Shootist. In addition to his film work, Dunn appeared in many popular television shows throughout the mid '50s, '60s, and '70s, such as The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza, The Beverly Hillbillies, My Favorite Martian, and Starsky and Hutch. He also appeared in the Off-Broadway production of The Rainmaker in 1954.^[3]

George Dunn had a career that spanned multiple decades during which he traveled extensively, visiting a total of 95 countries. He later drew on these experiences in after-dinner speaking engagements.

Dunn died on April 27, 1982 at West Hills Hospital in Los Angeles, California after a long illness. He was 67 years old.^[4]

• George Dunn Filmography

• George Dunn at IMDb
• George Dunn at the TCM Movie Database