Burr DeBenning

Burr DeBenning
Born
Burris Franklin DeBenning

(1936-09-21)September 21, 1936
Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedMay 26, 2003(2003-05-26) (aged 66)
San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.
Other namesBurr De Benning
Burris DeBenning
Alma materOklahoma State University
New York University
Years active1965–1992
SpouseSusan Silo

Burris Franklin DeBenning (September 21, 1936 – May 26, 2003) was an American character actor who worked in both film and television.

Early years

The son of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. DeBenning, he was born in Seminole, Oklahoma, and grew up in Stillwater. He enrolled at Oklahoma State University as a business major, but he switched to drama midway through his second year and went on to have major roles in several plays at OSU. After serving in the United States Air Force, he went to New York University and earned a master's degree in drama.[1]

Career

DeBenning first acted professionally in an off-Broadway play that lasted four days. He next joined a professional troupe in Boston.[1]

DeBenning appeared in nearly 100 films and TV shows including the television films The House on Greenapple Road (1970), Brinks: The Great Robbery (1976) and Hanging by a Thread (1979). He appeared in such television programs as CHiPs; Custer; Nakia; Matlock; Matt Houston; Mike Hammer; Magnum, P.I.; The Rockford Files; Kojak; The Streets of San Francisco; Hawaii Five-O; Matt Helm; Medical Center; McCloud; Ironside; Columbo and Medical Story. In 1969, DeBenning appeared as Orrey Hills on the TV series The Virginian in the episode titled "Journey to Scathelock". He also co-starred with Robert Wagner in City Beneath the Sea (1971).

His film appearances included a memorable turn as a comic prone Marine in Beach Red (1967), Sweet November (1968), St. Ives (1976), The Incredible Melting Man (1977), Armed Response (1986), A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989), and Love Field (1992). He played Lt. Jim Porter, a Navy Intelligence agent, in the 1978 science fiction TV miniseries, The Return of Captain Nemo,[2]: 888  originally shown on U.S. TV as a three part miniseries (50-minutes each episode) and later released theatrically outside the U.S. in a 102-minute widescreen version renamed The Amazing Captain Nemo. From 1981-82, he played evil town boss Paul Garrett (and later his equally evil twin brother, Richard Garrett) in the TV series Father Murphy.[2]

Personal life

DeBenning was married to actress Susan Silo.[1]

Death

DeBenning died in San Luis Obispo, California at age 66 from undisclosed causes.[3]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1967 Beach Red Egan
1968 Sweet November Clem Batchman
1970 Bonanza Tuttle Ames Episode: "Is there any man here...?"
1970 House on Greenapple Road Bill Foley TV movie
1971 City Beneath the Sea Dr Aguila
1972 J.C. Dan Martin
1975 Adventures of the Queen
1976 St. Ives Officer Fran
1977 Little House on the Prairie Dr. Asa Logan Episode: "To Run and Hide"
1977 The New Adventures of Wonder Woman Tom Baker Episode: "Knockout"
1977 The Incredible Melting Man Dr. Ted Nelson
1978 The Return of Captain Nemo Jim Porter
1978 The House of the Dead Growski Also known as Alien Zone
1978 Hawaii Five-O Roy Crawford Episode: "A Long Time Ago"
1979 Hart to Hart Lieutenant Ed Taggert Episode: "Cop Out"
1980 Cruising
1981 Wolfen ESS voice Voice
1984 Riptide Lt. Wilcher
1986 Armed Response Lt. Sanderson
1988 The Game Federal Agent
1989 A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child Mr. Jordan
1992 Love Field Announcer Voice

References

  1. ^ a b c Crawford, Bill (July 11, 1971). "Burr DeBenning: A Sooner In Hollywood". The Lawton Constitution And Morning Press. Oklahoma, Lawton. p. 57. Retrieved June 1, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 336. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  3. ^ "Burris DeBenning Obituary (2003) San Luis Obispo County Tribune". Legacy.com.