Robert Sorrells

Robert Sorrells
Sorrells in The Wonderful World of Disney, c. 1968
Born(1930-06-29)June 29, 1930
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 11, 2019(2019-06-11) (aged 88)[1]
Vacaville, California, U.S.[1]
Resting placeCremated[1]
OccupationActor
Years active1959–1990
Conviction(s)Murder, attempted murder
Criminal penalty32 years to life

Robert D. Sorrells (June 29, 1930 – June 11, 2019)[1][2][3] was an American television actor. He died in prison while serving an indeterminate life sentence for murder.

Acting career

As an actor, Sorrells is probably best known for his role as the baseball-pitching robot Casey in the Twilight Zone episode "The Mighty Casey". Additionally, he was in 26 episodes of Ensign O'Toole. He was also known for his appearances in Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Bonanza. He later appeared in films such as Fletch and Bound for Glory.[4][5]

Murder and attempted murder convictions

On July 24, 2004, Sorrells was drinking in a bar in Simi Valley, California, when he became belligerent. Another patron, Arthur DeLong, forcibly escorted Sorrells from the bar. Sorrells went home, got his pistol,[6] and returned to the bar, where he shot DeLong in the back at point-blank range, killing him. Sorrells then shot a bystander named Edward Sanchez, with whom he had had no previous interaction.[7] He then fled the scene in a Volkswagen van, but was arrested a short distance away.[3]

Sorrells was charged with one count of premeditated murder and one count of attempted premeditated murder.[7] Sorrells initially pled not guilty by reason of insanity, but entered a guilty plea in May, 2005. In July, 2005 he was sentenced to 32 years to life.[7] Sorrells died in prison at Vacaville, California, on June 11, 2019, at the age of 88.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1960 The Twilight Zone Casey Episode: "The Mighty Casey"
1961 Gunsmoke Augie Episode: "Apprentice Doctor"
1961 All Hands on Deck Jones
1962 Ichabod and Me Blake Episode: "The Celebrity"
1962 All Fall Down Waiter in Sweet Shop (scenes deleted)
1962-1963 Ensign O'Toole White 26 episodes
1963 Gunsmoke Cloudy “The Glory & The Mud” (S9E14)
1963-1969 Bonanza Charlie / Deputy Sheriff Cyril / John Swanson / Meredith Smith / Ferguson / Sid 5 episodes
1964 The Outer Limits Fred Episode: "I Robot"
1965 Morituri Koeniger
1965 Gunsmoke Sled Grady Season 10, Episode 25: "Breckinridge"
1966 Gunsmoke Outlaw Handley Season 12, Episode 10: "The Newcomers"
1966 Bewitched Gus Walters Episode: "The Horse's Mouth"
1966 The Fugitive Curly Episode: "The Devil's Disciples"
1967 Gunfight in Abilene Nelson
1967 Mosby's Marauders Pvt. Starkey Television movie
1967 The Ride to Hangman's Tree Blake
1967 The Last Challenge Harry Bell
1968 A Man Called Gannon Goff
1969 Death of a Gunfighter Chris Hogg
1970 San Francisco International Airport Dan Minor role in a TV movie pilot
1970 Mannix Clement North episode One for the Lady
1976 Bound for Glory Charlie Guthrie - Woody's Father
1978 The Bad News Bears Go to Japan Locke
1985 Fletch Marvin Stanwyk
1989 Nowhere to Run Mr. Kitchens

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Robert D. Sorrells". Nautilus Cremation Services. Archived from the original on 2019-08-21. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  2. ^ "SAG-AFTRA In Memoriam". SAG-AFTRA. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  3. ^ a b "Robert Sorrells: Veteran Actor Sentenced For Murder". tabloidcolumn.com. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  4. ^ Mike Trippiedi (2012-07-20). "Not Very Famous...but should be: Robert Sorrells". notveryfamous.blogspot.co.nz. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  5. ^ "Actor Robert Sorrells charged in shooting". AP via USA Today. 2004-07-27. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  6. ^ David K. Frasier (2013-10-22). "Robert Sorrells -- Don't Fuck with the Cowboy".
  7. ^ a b c "Local man, 75, sentenced to life in prison". Simi Valley Acorn. 2005-07-22. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2017-12-15.


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