William Dennis Weaver (June 4 1924 — February 24 2006) was an Emmy Award-winning American actor, best known for his work in television, including roles on Gunsmoke, as Marshal Sam McCloud on the NBC police drama McCloud and in Steven Spielberg's feature-length directorial debut, the cult TV movie Duel in 1971.
Was a track and field athlete from the University of Oklahoma.
Placed 6th in the 1948 Olympic Trials in the Decathlon. Bob Mathias placed first; Weaver won the final event, the 1500 meter run.
Born at 8:00am-CDT.
Shelley Winters gave him one of his first real breaks by helping him get a part in a stage production of "Come Back, Little Sheba."
In 1958, he formed a singing trio with Milburn Stone and Amanda Blake (I). In 1960, the trio broke the house record for the Albuquerque Arena during the New Mexico State Fair.
(1973-1975) President of Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
Had three grandchildren, Jennifer, Travis and Jess.
Vegetarian.
Was a committed environmentalist; Weaver's home near Santa Fe, NM, is constructed almost entirely out of recycled materials.
Father of actor Robby Weaver (I), actor/producer/director Rick Weaver (I) and Rusty Weaver.
Lost a daughter-in-law, Lynne Ann Weaver (who was married to his son, Robby Weaver (I)), to a July 2003 Santa Monica, California, car accident that killed more than eight people.
Inducted (as a cast member of "Gunsmoke" (1955)) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1981.
Gave his character Chester on "Gunsmoke" (1955) a bad leg and a limp out of fear that he would not be noticed when playing scenes with the James Arness, who stood 6'7" tall, unless his character had an unusual trait that would call attention to him.
Almost didn't get the part of Chester Goode on "Gunsmoke" until he asked for a second chance to read the lines in a humorous, countrified accent and won the role.
Served as the president of "Love Is Feeding Everyone" (LIFE), which fed 150,000 needy people a week in Los Angeles County. Also, founded the Institute of Ecolonomics, which sought solutions to economic and environmental problems.
He was a struggling actor in Hollywood in 1955, earning $60 a week delivering flowers when he was offered $300 a week for a role in a new CBS television series, "Gunsmoke" (1955). After nine years as Chester, who he played with a stiff-legged gait, he was earning $9,000 a week.
Died on the same day and at the same age as Don Knotts.
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch).
Built an Earthship environmental home in Ridgway, Colorado.
