Denver Pyle
AKA: Denver Dell Pyle
Birthday: 1920-05-11
Died: 1997-12-25
Birthplace: Bethune, Colorado, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Denver Dell Pyle (May 11, 1920 – December 25, 1997) was an American film and television actor. He was known for portraying Briscoe Darling Jr. in several episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, and playing Jesse Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard from 1979-85.
Pyle was born in Bethune, Colorado on May 11, 1920 to farmer Ben H. Pyle and his wife Maude; His brother, Willis, was an animator known for his work with Walt Disney Animation Studios and UPA. After graduating from high school, Pyle briefly attended Colorado State University, but dropped out to enter show business, moving to Los Angeles in 1940. He worked as a drummer and band member until the United States entered World War II, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Pyle was wounded in action in the Battle of Guadalcanal and received a medical discharge in 1942. Near the end of the war, he served in the United States Merchant Marine.
In 1955, Pyle married Marilee Carpenter, a production assistant at 20th Century Fox. They had sons David and Tony. Marilee and Denver divorced in 1970. In 1983, Pyle married Tippie Johnston. That union lasted until his death.
Pyle died of lung cancer on Christmas 1997. Memorial services were held January 6, 1998, at First Baptist Church in Waxahachie, Texas. He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Forreston Cemetery in Forreston, Texas. His remains are interred beside those of his second wife's parents, J.T. Johnston and Erin Birch Johnston. CLR
Filmography
Character: Pastor Bjoerling
Character: Thimblerig (the Gambler)
Character: Col. Seymour Hawkins
Character: Amos Carruthers
Character: Old Gambler on Riverboat
Character: Sen. Henry (uncredited)
Character: Deputy Ed Moore
Character: Senator Conrad
Character: Brad, Red Bluff Sheriff
Character: Det. Lt. Bradley
Character: Uncle Jesse Duke
Character: Hutch Hutchins
Character: Bert Killian / Narrator
Character: 'Jumpy' Jordan
Character: Alfie - Stage Driver
Character: Ranger Captain
Character: Grandpappy John
Character: Preacher Harrison
Character: Ben Barnstable
Character: Richards Henchman
Character: MacGuire's Henchman
Character: The Indian Agent (McLaughlin)
Character: Grandpa Mordecai Tarleton
Character: Vigilante (uncredited)
Character: Man in pick-up truck
Character: Junior Frisbee
Character: Ben as an Adult
Character: Harvey (uncredited)
Character: George Rosebrock
Character: Posseman (uncredited)
Character: Tom Carlton-Replaced (credit only)
Character: Old mountain man
Character: Henchman George
Character: Henchman Lacey
Character: The Night Clerk
Character: Henchman Sperry
Character: Reverend Moorehead
Character: Briscoe Darling
Character: Narrator (Voice)
Character: Gunner / Mutineer (uncredited)
Character: Cash Collins (uncredited)
Character: Union Soldier Breaking Window (uncredited)
Character: Rider Warning About Wagon Train (uncredited)
Character: Senator Austin
Character: Hank Spencer (uncredited)
Character: Fairchild (uncredited)
Character: Infantryman (uncredited)
Character: Bernie Malloy (uncredited)
Character: Confederate Spy in Yankee Uniform (uncredited)
Character: Regulator (uncredited)
Character: Greasy (uncredited)
Character: Young Man at Union Station (uncredited)
Character: Man in Opening Scene (uncredited)