Burr DeBenning

Burris Franklin DeBenning (September 21, 1936 – May 26, 2003) was an American character actor who worked in both film and television.

Burr DeBenning
Born
Burris Franklin DeBenning

(1936-09-21)September 21, 1936
Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedMay 26, 2003(2003-05-26) (aged 66)
San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.
Other namesBurr De Benning
Burris DeBenning
Alma materOklahoma State University
New York University
Years active1965–1992
SpouseSusan Silo

Early years

The son of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. DeBenning, he was born in Seminole, Oklahoma, and grew up in Stillwater. He enrolled at Oklahoma State University as a business major, but he switched to drama midway through his second year and went on to have major roles in several plays at OSU. After serving in the United States Air Force, he went to New York University and earned a master's degree in drama.[1]

Career

DeBenning first acted professionally in an off-Broadway play that lasted four days. He next joined a professional troupe in Boston.[1]

DeBenning appeared in nearly 100 films and TV shows including the television films The House on Greenapple Road (1970), Brinks: The Great Robbery (1976) and Hanging by a Thread (1979). He appeared in such television programs as CHiPs, Custer, Nakia, Matlock, Matt Houston, Mike Hammer, Magnum, P.I., Rockford Files, Kojak, The Streets of San Francisco, Hawaii Five-O, Matt Helm, Medical Center, McCloud, Ironside, Columbo and Medical Story. In 1969 DeBenning appeared as Orrey Hills on the TV series The Virginian in the episode titled "Journey to Scathelock." He also co-starred with Robert Wagner in City Beneath the Sea (1971).

His film appearances included a memorable turn as a comic prone Marine in Beach Red (1967), Sweet November (1968), St. Ives (1976), The Incredible Melting Man (1977), Armed Response (1986), A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989), and Love Field (1992). He played Lt. Jim Porter, a Navy Intelligence agent, in the 1978 science fiction TV miniseries, The Return of Captain Nemo,[2]: 888  originally shown on U.S. TV as a three part miniseries (50-minutes each episode) and later released theatrically outside the U.S. in a 102-minute widescreen version renamed The Amazing Captain Nemo. From 1981-82, he played evil town boss Paul Garrett (and later his equally evil twin brother, Richard Garrett) in the TV series Father Murphy.[2]

Personal life

DeBenning was married to actress Susan Silo.[1]

Death

DeBenning died in San Luis Obispo, California at age 66 from undisclosed causes.[3]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1967Beach RedEgan
1968Sweet NovemberClem Batchman
1970BonanzaTuttle AmesEpisode: "Is there any man here...?"
1970House on Greenapple RoadBill FoleyTV movie
1971City Beneath the SeaDr Aguila
1972J.C.Dan Martin
1975Adventures of the Queen
1976St. IvesOfficer Fran
1977Little House on the PrairieDr. Asa LoganEpisode: "To Run and Hide"
1977The New Adventures of Wonder WomanTom BakerEpisode: "Knockout"
1977The Incredible Melting ManDr. Ted Nelson
1978The Return of Captain NemoJim Porter
1978The House of the DeadGrowskiAlso known as Alien Zone
1978Hawaii Five-ORoy CrawfordEpisode: "A Long Time Ago"
1979Hart to HartLieutenant Ed TaggertEpisode: "Cop Out"
1980Cruising
1981WolfenESS voiceVoice
1984RiptideLt. Wilcher
1986Armed ResponseLt. Sanderson
1988The GameFederal Agent
1989A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream ChildMr. Jordan
1992Love FieldAnnouncerVoice

References
  1. Crawford, Bill (July 11, 1971). "Burr DeBenning: A Sooner In Hollywood". The Lawton Constitution And Morning Press. Oklahoma, Lawton. p. 57. Retrieved June 1, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 336. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  3. "Burris DeBenning Obituary (2003) San Luis Obispo County Tribune". Legacy.com.
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