James Murdock (actor)

James Murdock
James Murdock in Rawhide
Born
David Lee Baker[1]

(1931-06-22)June 22, 1931
Normal, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 24, 1981(1981-12-24) (aged 50)
Calabasas, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1958–1974
SpouseJulie Harris[1]
Children2[1]

James Murdock, born David Lee Baker, (June 22, 1931[2] – December 24, 1981) was an American film and television actor. He was known for playing Mushy in the American Western television series Rawhide.[1]

Life and career

Murdock was born in Normal, Illinois, the son of Faye Baker.[1] He reportedly used the surname "Murdock" because he thought it sounded tougher and would help him get roles.[1] He began his acting career in 1958 playing a young outlaw in the Western television series Have Gun, Will Travel.[3] In 1959, he joined the cast of the new CBS Western television series Rawhide playing the assistant cook Mushy.[1] Murdock made a guest appearance in a 1966 episode of the Western television series Gunsmoke.[3]

Murdock had some small roles in films under the name David Baker, including Some of My Best Friends Are... in 1971 and Airport 1975 and The Godfather Part II in 1974.[1]

Death

Murdock died on December 24, 1981, of lung cancer in Calabasas, California, at the age of 50.[1][2] He was buried in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park.[1]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1959-1965 Rawhide Harkness 'Mushy' Mushgrove III TV Series, 201 episodes
1971 Some of My Best Friends Are... Clint
1973 Airport 1975 Rev. Bob Herron - Passenger Uncredited
1974 The Godfather Part II F.B.I. Man #2

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Aaker, Everett (May 16, 2017). Television Western Players, 1960-1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 311. ISBN 9781476628561 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b Aaker, Everett (1997). Television Western Players of the Fifties: A Biographical Encyclopedia of All Regular Cast Members in Western Series, 1949-1959. McFarland. p. 395. ISBN 9780786402847 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b Brode, Douglas (October 15, 2009). Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors, 1946–Present. University of Texas Press. p. 234. ISBN 9780292718494 – via Google Books.