8.0
TV
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
8.0
TV
6.5
Movie
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
7.0
Movie
Woman of the Year
7.7
TV
Perry Mason
6.7
TV
Gunsmoke
5.4
Movie
Hero and the Terror
7.4
Movie
The Mortal Storm
6.8
Movie
99 River Street
6.3
Movie
The Big Store
6.9
Movie
The Canterville Ghost
6.5
TV
The Virginian
6.7
TV
Here's Lucy
6.6
TV
Wagon Train
5.3
Movie
Sitting Bull
6.2
Movie
Walk a Crooked Mile
7.2
Movie
Air Raid Wardens
6.4
Movie
The Quick Gun
6.8
TV
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Acting credits 154
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |