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William Tannen
Actor

William Tannen

17 Nov 1911Born
2 Dec 1976Died
65Age at death
153Credits

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Tannen (November 17, 1911 – December 2, 1976) was an American actor originally from New York City, who was best known for his role of Deputy Hal Norton in fifty-six episodes from 1956 to 1958 of the ABC/Desilu western television series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, with Hugh O'Brian as Deputy Marshal Wyatt Earp.

Tannen was also cast as Gyp Clements in the 1955 episode "The Buntline Special" of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Beginning on September 11, 1956, in the second season of the series, with the setting moved from Wichita to Dodge City, Kansas, Tannen filled the Hal Norton role.

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His earliest episodes were "Fight or Run", "The Double Life of Dora Hand" and "Clay Allison", the latter two based on historical figures, the saloon singer and actor Dora Hand and the gunfighter Clay Allison. Some of his appearances were uncredited. His last credited role was "Doc Holliday Rewrites History" (May 6, 1958), with Myron Healey as the frontier gunfighter and dentist Doc Holliday. His last uncredited roles aired thereafter in May and June 1958, "Dig a Grave for Ben Thompson", based on the historical figure Ben Thompson played by Denver Pyle, "Frame-up", and "My Husband".

He was cast as Ike Clanton, not on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, but in the 1964 episode "After the OK Corral" of the syndicated western anthology series, Death Valley Days. Jim Davis portrayed Wyatt Earp in this particular episode. Tannen appeared twice, one role uncredited in Davis' earlier syndicated western series, Stories of the Century, including the role of Dutch Charlie in "Milt Sharp", the story of the stagecoach robber Milt Sharp.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 153 credits.

  1. 1988Hero and the TerrorFilm: Civil Engineer
  2. 1968Here's LucySeries: Workman #2 (1 episode)
  3. 1966BatmanFilm: American Delegate (uncredited)
  4. 1965Get SmartSeries: Admiral (1 episode)
  5. 1964The Quick GunFilm
  6. 1963Arrest and TrialSeries: Mack (1 episode)
  7. 1962The VirginianSeries: Bartender (1 episode)
  8. 1961GunslingerSeries: Ben Tracy (1 episode)
  9. 1960Noose for a GunmanFilm: Willetts
  10. 1958The Return of DraculaFilm: Mack Bryant - Dept. of Immigration (uncredited)
  11. 1958Touch of EvilFilm: Marcia Linnekar's Attorney (uncredited)
  12. 1957Tombstone TerritorySeries: Dr. Buell (1 episode)
  13. 1957The Tijuana StoryFilm
  14. 1957Perry MasonSeries: Police Sergeant, Frank - Studio Guard, Lt. Cmdr. Matt Stewart (1 episode)
  15. 1957Wagon TrainSeries: Ralph Jessup, Slater (1 episode)
  16. 1957A Hatful of RainFilm: Celia's Supervisor (uncredited)
  17. 1957Gun Duel in DurangoFilm: Larkin - Man Stealing Guns (uncredited)
  18. 1957Tales of Wells FargoSeries: Keenan (1 episode)
  19. 1956Friendly PersuasionFilm: Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
  20. 1956Hey, Jeannie!Series: Paul Revere (1 episode)
  21. 1956The First TexanFilm: President Jackson's Aide (uncredited)
  22. 1956Blackjack Ketchum DesperadoFilm: Dee Havalik
  23. 1955Top GunFilm: Torchy (uncredited)
  24. 1955Devil GoddessFilm: Nels Comstock
  25. 1955The Adventures of ChampionSeries: Rustler, Logan (1 episode)
  26. 1955GunsmokeSeries: John Hirschbeck, Townsman (1 episode)
  27. 1955The Life and Legend of Wyatt EarpSeries: Deputy Hal Norton (3 episodes)
  28. 1955Dial Red OFilm: Devon
  29. 1954Sitting BullFilm: O'Connor
  30. 1954The Law vs. Billy the KidFilm: Dave Rudabaugh
  31. 1954Captain Kidd and the Slave GirlFilm: Steve Castle (as Bill Tannen)
  32. 1954Jesse James vs. the DaltonsFilm: Emmett Dalton
  33. 1954The Golden IdolFilm: Sergeant Reed
  34. 1953Kiss Me KateFilm: Taxi Driver (uncredited)
  35. 1953El Paso StampedeFilm: Henchman Joe
  36. 195399 River StreetFilm: Director
  37. 1953I, the JuryFilm
  38. 1953Dangerous CrossingFilm: Ship's Officer (uncredited)
  39. 1953Eyes of the JungleFilm: Jeff Roper
  40. 1953Raiders of the Seven SeasFilm: Ramon
  41. 1953Law and OrderFilm: Stranger (uncredited)
  42. 1953Jack McCall, DesperadoFilm: Spargo
  43. 1952The Bad and the BeautifulFilm: Reporter (uncredited)
  44. 1952Flat TopFilm: Commander (uncredited)
  45. 1952Talk About a StrangerFilm: Driggs
  46. 1952Road AgentFilm: Toll Gate Guard
  47. 1952Jungle Jim in the Forbidden LandFilm: 'Doc' Edwards
  48. 1952Dangerous AssignmentSeries (1 episode)
  49. 1951The Adventures of Kit CarsonSeries: Spade Bineham (1 episode)
  50. 1951Best of the BadmenFilm: Bill - Adjutant (uncredited)
  51. 1951Roaring CityFilm: Ed Gannon
  52. 1951I Was an American SpyFilm: American Captain (uncredited)
  53. 1951Insurance InvestigatorFilm: 1st Hood
  54. 1951A Yank in KoreaFilm: Lt. Lewis
  55. 1951Blue BloodFilm: Sparks
  56. 1950The Flying MissileFilm: Lieutenant
  57. 1950Pygmy IslandFilm: Kruger
  58. 1950Chain GangFilm: Harry Cleaver
  59. 1950Three SecretsFilm: Bobby Lynch (uncredited)
  60. 1950Sunset in the WestFilm: John Kimball (as William J. Tannen)
  61. 1950Pal, Canine DetectiveFilm
  62. 1950The Cisco KidSeries: Bix Douglas (1 episode)
  63. 1950ConvictedFilm: Prison Guard (uncredited)
  64. 1950Armored Car RobberyFilm: Officer Johnson (uncredited)
  65. 1950Annie Get Your GunFilm: Barker (uncredited)
  66. 1950Riders of the RangeFilm: Trump Dixon
  67. 1949All the King's MenFilm: Man in City Bar (uncredited)
  68. 1949AbandonedFilm: Taxi Driver (uncredited)
  69. 1949The Mysterious DesperadoFilm: Bart Barton
  70. 1949Alaska PatrolFilm: Dajek
  71. 1948The Three MusketeersFilm: Traveler (uncredited)
  72. 1948An Innocent AffairFilm: Gaylord
  73. 1948Walk a Crooked MileFilm: FBI Chemist
  74. 1947CynthiaFilm: Dingle Clerk (Uncredited)
  75. 1947High BarbareeFilm: Officer of the Deck (uncredited)
  76. 1946Our Old CarFilm: Officer Donahue (uncredited)
  77. 1945Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in HollywoodFilm: Casting Director / Dr. Caswell Snide (uncredited)
  78. 1945Week-End at the WaldorfFilm: Photographer (uncredited)
  79. 1945A Gun in His HandFilm: Police Lab Technician Wilson (uncredited)
  80. 1945Main Street After DarkFilm: Wallet-Preparer (uncredited)

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.