Sam Gilman

Sam Gilman
Gilman in One-Eyed Jacks, 1961
Born(1915-02-05)February 5, 1915
Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedDecember 3, 1985(1985-12-03) (aged 70)
North Hollywood, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1950–1983
Spouses
  • Mildred Virginia Gilman
  • Lisabeth Hush
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1962; div. 1968)​
Children3

Sam Gilman (February 5, 1915 – December 3, 1985) was an American film and television actor.[1] He was perhaps best known for playing Harvey Johnson in the 1961 film One-Eyed Jacks.[2]

Life and career

Gilman was born in Salem, Massachusetts.[3] He worked as a cartoonist on comic books for the comic book packager Funnies Inc., from the 1930s to the 1940s.[3]

His acting career started in 1950 with an appearance in the film The Men.[3] Other films Gilman appeared in included Sometimes a Great Notion, PT 109, The Shadow on the Window, Away All Boats, The Missouri Breaks, One-Eyed Jacks (his first western film credit),[4] Wild Rovers, The Last Hard Men, Full of Life and Macon County Line.[3]

Gilman in Medic, 1954

In 1966, he joined the regular cast of the new ABC western television series Shane, playing bartender Sam Grafton.[3] Gilman also guest-starred in television programs such as Gunsmoke, Tales of Wells Fargo, 77 Sunset Strip, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Big Valley, Route 66, Star Trek: The Original Series, Ben Casey, Mannix, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Fugitive, The Guns of Will Sonnett, Outlaws, The Waltons, The Untouchables and Have Gun, Will Travel.[2]

Gilman also worked as an acting coach, helping actors with performing.[3]

His final film credit was for the 1982 film National Lampoon's Movie Madness.[3]

Personal life and death

Gilman had a close friendship with actor Marlon Brando.[5]

Gilman married Lisabeth Hush on January 26, 1962, in Los Angeles. They adopted a son, and they divorced in 1968.[3] Gilman died on December 3, 1985, in North Hollywood, California, at the age of 70.[3]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ Hyams, Joe (February 2, 1959). "Director Woes Multiply, But Brando's Calm". The Miami News. Miami, Florida. p. 14. Retrieved February 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  2. ^ a b Lentz, Harris (1996). Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits 1903-1995: Section I. Actors and actresses. Section II. Directors, producers, and writers. McFarland. p. 318. ISBN 9780786401581 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Aaker, Everett (May 16, 2017). Television Western Players, 1960-1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 189. ISBN 9781476628561 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Hyams, Joe (January 8, 1959). "Actor And Horse Differ On Method". Montreal Gazette. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. p. 8. Retrieved February 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  5. ^ "Brando's Bride Denies Break-Up". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. December 13, 1957. p. 9. Retrieved February 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon