William Tannen
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. 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.
Acting
Movie
Touch of Evil
as Marcia Linnekar's Attorney (uncredited)
1958
Movie
Batman
as American Delegate (uncredited)
1966
TV
Get Smart
as Admiral
1965
Movie
The Bad and the Beautiful
as Reporter (uncredited)
1952
Movie
Fury
as Governor's Aide (uncredited)
1936
Movie
All the King's Men
as Man in City Bar (uncredited)
1949
Movie
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
as Intern Fenwick
1941
Movie
Woman of the Year
as Ellis
1942
Movie
The Three Musketeers
as Traveler (uncredited)
1948
Movie
Friendly Persuasion
as Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
1956
Movie
Another Thin Man
as State Trooper (uncredited)
1939
TV
Perry Mason
as Police Sergeant
1957
TV
Perry Mason
as Frank - Studio Guard
1957
TV
Perry Mason
as Lt. Cmdr. Matt Stewart
1957
TV
Gunsmoke
as John Hirschbeck
1955
TV
Gunsmoke
as Townsman
1955
Movie
Hero and the Terror
as Civil Engineer
1988
Movie
Tarzan's New York Adventure
as Mike, an Airport Clerk (uncredited)
1942
Movie
The Mortal Storm
as Nazi Clerk
1940
Movie
Kiss Me Kate
as Taxi Driver (uncredited)
1953
Movie
Annie Get Your Gun
as Barker (uncredited)
1950
Movie
99 River Street
as Director
1953
Movie
The Big Store
as Fred Sutton
1941
Movie
The Return of Dracula
as Mack Bryant - Dept. of Immigration (uncredited)
1958