Glenn Strange
At various times in his life a rancher, deputy sheriff and rodeo performer, this huge, towering (6' 5") beast of a man was born George Glenn Strange in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899, but grew up a real-life cowboy in Cross Cut, Texas. Of Irish and Cherokee Indian descent, he taught himself (by ear) the fiddle and guitar at a young age and started performing at local functions as a teen. In the late 1920s, Glenn and his cousin, Taylor McPeters, better known later as the western character actor Cactus Mack, joined a radio singing group known as the "Arizona Wranglers" that toured throughout the country.
Gunsmoke
Strange first appeared on Gunsmoke in 1960 after James Arness asked him, "When are you going to do a Gunsmoke? I like to work with big guys." During Gunsmoke's sixth season, Strange played a Long Branch customer in "Old Faces" and a cowboy in "Melinda Miles".
Strange began playing Sam Noonan during the seventh season and continued in the role for 222 episodes. In 1972 Strange was diagnosed with lung cancer but worked as long as he was able. Five of his episodes were broadcast after his death. His last appearance was on the November 26, 1973, episode "The Hanging of Newly O'Brien".
Death
On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. Singer Eddie Dean, with whom Strange had collaborated on various songs and opening themes for films, sang at Strange's funeral service as a final tribute. Strange is interred at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery. CLR
Acting
Movie
Red River
as Naylor (uncredited)
1948
Movie
Marty
as Bit Role (uncredited)
1955
Movie
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
as Pierce Henchman in Saloon (uncredited)
1957
Movie
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein
as The Monster
1948
Movie
Last Train from Gun Hill
as Gun Hill Bouncer
1959
Movie
Calamity Jane
as Prospector (uncredited)
1953
Movie
House of Frankenstein
as Frankenstein Monster
1944
Movie
House of Dracula
as The Frankenstein Monster
1945
TV
Gunsmoke
as Sam Noonan
1955
TV
Gunsmoke
as Sam (uncredited)
1955
TV
Gunsmoke
as Man
1955
Movie
The Lusty Men
as Rig Ferris - Foreman (uncredited)
1952
Movie
Escape from Fort Bravo
as Sergeant Compton (uncredited)
1953
Movie
Escape from Fort Bravo
as Sgt. Compton (uncredited)
1953
Movie
The Mummy's Tomb
as Farmer Holding Horse (uncredited)
1942
Movie
The Red Badge of Courage
as Colonel (uncredited)
1951
Movie
The Fastest Gun Alive
as Sheriff in Silver Rapids (uncredited)
1956
Movie
The Spoilers
as Deputy (uncredited)
1942
Movie
Action in the North Atlantic
as Jake (uncredited)
1943
Movie
Dark Command
as Tough Yankee #1
1940
Movie
Backlash
as Milliken, Stage Driver (uncredited)
1956
TV
The Rifleman
as Stage Diver
1958
Movie
Sinbad the Sailor
as Chief Galley Overseer (uncredited)
1947
TV
Rawhide
as Bartender
1959
