Posted on 02/23/2019 5:17:59 PM PST by DFG
Morgan Woodward, an actor born in Fort Worth who took on guest roles in Gunsmoke, Star Trek and Dallas, died Friday in Paso Robles, Calif.
The actor, who grew up in Arlington, was 93.
He played the role of Punk Anderson, a trusted adviser to the Ewing family, in 55 episodes of Dallas, which ran from 1978 to 1991. He earned praise for his role as Boss Godfrey alongside Paul Newman in the 1967 prison drama Cool-Hand Luke.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
“The Man with No Eyes” has died. Classic well played bad guy in many roles... but especially this one- in “Cool Hand Luke” starring Paul Newman.
His role was to help “get their minds right” on the chain gang. And, btw- it was white criminals on that gang, largely— and they certainly DID exist at the pleasure of the “management”.
I remember him from “Gunsmoke”. I believe he had the most guest appearances of any actor on that show. He was good as a bad guy. RIP
Shaking the tree here boss. ..
OMG - I never realized that was the same actor!!
(And amazed he was still alive after all these years)
This guy was great in cool hand Luke, just unforgettable. Not that much screen time but every second boom.
This is correct. I think he also co-starred in one of the "Gunsmoke" movies that were filmed long after the series ended. He was an excellent heavy and not bad as a white hat.
Morgan Woodward - Biography - IMDb
Personal Quote: “Recognition is a funny thing. I’ve been recognized for many roles and recently I had someone remember me from an old show I did more than 20 years ago. It was such an obscure role that it took me a few minutes to remember the part myself. But it’s amazing what people will remember you for doing. I still get response about my role as Shotgun Gibbs on ‘Wyatt Earp’ and that ended in the early 60’s.” (on roles he’s recognized in public for playing)
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0940971/bio?ref_=nm_ql_dyk_1#quotes
Morgan Woodward was a great character actor and was in a lot of good shows. He was Hugh O’Brian’s sidekick Shotgun Gibbs in “The Life and Times of Wyatt Earp.
Of course his role as Punk Anderson in “Dallas” brought him a great deal of fame in later years. He was, I believe, in The National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
He came from a prominent Texas family, his father and uncle were doctors. His uncle, Dr. S.A. Woodward, lived in the San Angelo, Texas area. One day, he was called to help in the birth of a male child. The family, not knowing what gender was expected, had not chosen a name, so in honor of the good doctor’s service, they named him Woodward Ritter. Later, he would be known more widely as Tex Ritter.
He will be missed. Thanks for all the great hours of entertainment Morgan and God Speed.
He had 17 appearances on Gunsmoke and 11 on Wagon Train, both were records.
He was great in Star Trek too, as well as his accomplished furtherance of Old West villiany.
Bummer but I’m glad he had a long life. I didn’t recognize the name at all but I sure recognize the face.
I watch a lot of old TV shows and enjoy the great—and busy—character actors from back then. Morgan Woodward is one I always enjoy seeing.
That is correct; he did have the most guest appearances on Gunsmoke.
I wonder if he was ever on “Perry Mason”?
Just about evey actor was on it at some time.
Perry Mason season 5 episode 18 “The Case of the Tarnished Trademark”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0673408/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_108
I thought it was Liberace. Of course, I was about thirteen.
Two classic lines from that episode (which I won't be able to convey fully in text): "Ah'm gonna learn y'all t'be good soldiers o' righteusness!"
And: "Ah told yore Maw Ah was gonna be turrible hard on ye' . . . an' Ah AYEM!"
Of course he was a pretty good villain in the "Plegium Legium" episode of "Star Trek" as well.
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