William Tannen

Acting

William Tannen

Born
Died
(aged 65)
Birthplace
New York City, New York, USA
Credits
154 titles

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. 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.

Signature work

Known For

Acting credits 154

YearTitleRole
1988 Hero and the Terror Film Civil Engineer
1968 Here's Lucy TV Workman #2 (1 ep)
1966 Batman Film American Delegate (uncredited)
1965 Get Smart TV Admiral (1 ep)
1964 The Quick Gun Film
1963 Arrest and Trial TV Mack (1 ep)
1962 The Virginian TV Bartender (1 ep)
1961 Gunslinger TV Ben Tracy (1 ep)
1960 Noose for a Gunman Film Willetts
1958 The Return of Dracula Film Mack Bryant - Dept. of Immigration (uncredited)
1958 Touch of Evil Film Marcia Linnekar's Attorney (uncredited)
1957 Tombstone Territory TV Dr. Buell (1 ep)
1957 The Tijuana Story Film
1957 Perry Mason TV Police Sergeant, Frank - Studio Guard, Lt. Cmdr. Matt Stewart (1 ep)
1957 Wagon Train TV Ralph Jessup, Slater (1 ep)
1957 A Hatful of Rain Film Celia's Supervisor (uncredited)
1957 Gun Duel in Durango Film Larkin - Man Stealing Guns (uncredited)
1957 Tales of Wells Fargo TV Keenan (1 ep)
1956 Friendly Persuasion Film Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
1956 Hey, Jeannie! TV Paul Revere (1 ep)
1956 The First Texan Film President Jackson's Aide (uncredited)
1956 Blackjack Ketchum Desperado Film Dee Havalik
1955 Top Gun Film Torchy (uncredited)
1955 Devil Goddess Film Nels Comstock
1955 The Adventures of Champion TV Rustler, Logan (1 ep)
1955 MGM Parade TV Self (1 ep)
1955 Gunsmoke TV John Hirschbeck, Townsman (1 ep)
1955 The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp TV Deputy Hal Norton (3 ep)
1955 Dial Red O Film Devon
1954 Sitting Bull Film O'Connor
1954 The Law vs. Billy the Kid Film Dave Rudabaugh
1954 Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl Film Steve Castle (as Bill Tannen)
1954 Jesse James vs. the Daltons Film Emmett Dalton
1954 The Golden Idol Film Sergeant Reed
1953 Kiss Me Kate Film Taxi Driver (uncredited)
1953 El Paso Stampede Film Henchman Joe
1953 99 River Street Film Director
1953 I, the Jury Film
1953 Dangerous Crossing Film Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1953 Eyes of the Jungle Film Jeff Roper
1953 Raiders of the Seven Seas Film Ramon
1953 Law and Order Film Stranger (uncredited)
1953 Jack McCall, Desperado Film Spargo
1952 The Bad and the Beautiful Film Reporter (uncredited)
1952 Flat Top Film Commander (uncredited)
1952 Talk About a Stranger Film Driggs
1952 Road Agent Film Toll Gate Guard
1952 Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land Film 'Doc' Edwards
1952 Dangerous Assignment TV (1 ep)
1951 The Adventures of Kit Carson TV Spade Bineham (1 ep)
1951 Best of the Badmen Film Bill - Adjutant (uncredited)
1951 Roaring City Film Ed Gannon
1951 I Was an American Spy Film American Captain (uncredited)
1951 Insurance Investigator Film 1st Hood
1951 A Yank in Korea Film Lt. Lewis
1951 Blue Blood Film Sparks
1950 The Flying Missile Film Lieutenant
1950 Pygmy Island Film Kruger
1950 Chain Gang Film Harry Cleaver
1950 Three Secrets Film Bobby Lynch (uncredited)
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