Glenn Strange
At various times in his life a rancher, deputy sheriff and rodeo performer, this huge, towering (6' 5") beast of a man was born George Glenn Strange in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899, but grew up a real-life cowboy in Cross Cut, Texas. Of Irish and Cherokee Indian descent, he taught himself (by ear) the fiddle and guitar at a young age and started performing at local functions as a teen. In the late 1920s, Glenn and his cousin, Taylor McPeters, better known later as the western character a
Gunsmoke
Strange first appeared on Gunsmoke in 1960 after James Arness asked him, "When are you going to do a Gunsmoke? I like to work with big guys." During Gunsmoke's sixth season, Strange played a Long Branch customer in "Old Faces" and a cowboy in "Melinda Miles".
Strange began playing Sam Noonan during the seventh season and continued in the role for 222 episodes. In 1972 Strange was diagnosed with lung cancer but worked as long as he was able. Five of his episodes were broadcast after his death. His last appearance was on the November 26, 1973, episode "The Hanging of Newly O'Brien".
Death
On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. Singer Eddie Dean, with whom Strange had collaborated on various songs and opening themes for films, sang at Strange's funeral service as a final tribute. Strange is interred at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery. CLR
Born
Aug 16, 1899
Weed, New Mexico, USA
Died
Sep 20, 1973
Known For
Acting
Movies
199 acting
1 crew
Popularity
0.9
Known For
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
1957
as Pierce Henchman in Saloon (uncredited)
Red River
1948
as Naylor (uncredited)
Marty
1955
as Bit Role (uncredited)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein
1948
as The Monster
Last Train from Gun Hill
1959
as Gun Hill Bouncer
Calamity Jane
1953
as Prospector (uncredited)
House of Dracula
1945
as The Frankenstein Monster
House of Frankenstein
1944
as Frankenstein Monster
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