Denver Pyle
Biography
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
Known For
Frank Hamer
Bonnie and Clyde
Gunner / Mutineer (uncredited)
Mutiny
Pastor Bjoerling
Shenandoah
Sig Evers
5 Card Stud
Thimblerig (the Gambler)
The Alamo
Amos Carruthers
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Sheriff
The Great Race
Col. Seymour Hawkins
Hawmps!
Bull
The Rounders
Old Gambler on Riverboat
Maverick
Sen. Henry (uncredited)
Cheyenne Autumn
Lytz
Flame of Youth
Ollinger
The Left Handed Gun
Brad, Red Bluff Sheriff
The Lonely Man
Dixon
7th Cavalry
Easy Jarrett
The Man from Colorado
Deputy Ed Moore
Good Day for a Hanging
Senator Conrad
Geronimo
Nick Algren
Million Dollar Pursuit
Thompson
To Hell and Back
Mad Jack
Once Upon a Starry Night
Det. Lt. Bradley
Please Murder Me
Jackie Jo
The Horse Soldiers
Uncle Bene
Return from Witch Mountain
Self
When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion
Cash Collins (uncredited)
Rim of the Canyon
Union Soldier Breaking Window (uncredited)
Drums in the Deep South
Collins
Fort Massacre
Carl Barber
Welcome to L.A.
Rider Warning About Wagon Train (uncredited)
Fort Vengeance
Dr. Larson
Hog Wild
Narrator (Voice)
Legend of the Wild
Uncle Jesse Duke
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
Hutch Hutchins
Train to Alcatraz
Ed Quinn
Streets of San Francisco
Arkansas
Winterhawk
Bert Killian / Narrator
The Naked Hills
'Jumpy' Jordan
Federal Agent at Large
Al
Customs Agent
Sheriff Dixon
Terrified
1st Hunter
Incident at Phantom Hill
Hutch
Red Canyon
Ranger Captain
Gun Duel In Durango
Alfie - Stage Driver
Welcome to Hard Times
Bowie French
Hills of Utah
The Night Clerk
Marshal of Amarillo
Grandpappy John
The Legend of Hillbilly John
Mr. Bickford
The Party Crashers
Kelly
Mara of the Wilderness
Cap
Gunpoint
Preacher Pope
Mail Order Bride
Preacher Harrison
Cast a Long Shadow
Ben Barnstable
Hitched
Mr. Bradley
Home from the Hill
Henchman
Dynamite Pass
Skip
Oklahoma Annie
Muncie Carter
Bandolero!
Ten Wanted Men
MacGuire's Henchman
King of the Wild Stallions
Denver
Cahill: United States Marshal
Narrator
Mercur: The Town that Can't Stay Dead
Senator Austin
The Last of Mrs. Lincoln
Bill Dragger
Domino Kid
Hank Spencer (uncredited)
Top Gun
Fairchild (uncredited)
Drum Beat
Infantryman (uncredited)
The Command
Bernie Malloy (uncredited)
Goldtown Ghost Riders
Confederate Spy in Yankee Uniform (uncredited)
Column South
Regulator (uncredited)
The Lone Hand
Greasy (uncredited)
Gunsmoke
Allen
Desert Passage
Young Man at Union Station (uncredited)
Too Late for Tears
Carl
Devil Ship
Man in Opening Scene (uncredited)
The Guilt of Janet Ames
Jim Bailey
I Killed Wild Bill Hickok
Amos Champion
Murder or Mercy
Uncle Bene
Escape to Witch Mountain
Steve
Captain China
Clint Reno
Rage at Dawn
The Indian Agent (McLaughlin)
Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson
Lefty Barr
Yaqui Drums
Turner
The Flying Saucer
Grandpa Mordecai Tarleton
Tammy and the Millionaire
Tench
Texas Bad Man
Vigilante (uncredited)
El Paso
Mickey Hill
Destination 60,000
Man in pick-up truck
Black Like Me
Junior Frisbee
Something Big
Ben as an Adult
The Boy Who Talked to Badgers
Harvey (uncredited)
Run for Cover
Tom Rawling
Mean Justice
Track Intern
The Big Wheel
Bagley
The Boy from Oklahoma
Posseman (uncredited)
Johnny Guitar
George Rosebrock
Father and Scout
Richards Henchman
Singing Guns
Mr. Simpson
Jet Pilot
Tom Carlton-Replaced (credit only)
Canyon Ambush
Old mountain man
The Adventures of Frontier Fremont
Henchman Lacey
Rough Riders of Durango
Henchman George
The Old Frontier
Carey
Fargo
Glenn Hartley
Man from the Black Hills
Bud Karnes
The Maverick
Galen Clark
Guardian of the Wilderness
Jim Rockwell
Where the North Begins
Rex
Hellfire
Greeley
Rebel City
Jonas Bailey
Topeka
Henchman Sperry
Vigilante Terror
Reverend Moorehead
Ride Clear of Diablo
Sam Wheeler
Bitter Heritage
Narrator
How Bugs Bunny Won the West
Bartender
A Perilous Journey
Col. Wiley
China Doll
Briscoe Darling
Return to Mayberry
Self
John Wayne's 'The Alamo'
(uncredited)
The Yellow Mountain
Walt
Delta Fever
Legend of the Northwest
Easy Jarrett (uncredited)
The Man from Colorado
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
121
Gender
Male
Birthday
1920-05-11
Place of Birth
Bethune, Colorado, USA
Also Known As
Denver Dell Pyle