Claude Akins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Claude Akins
Akins performing as Ezekiel on the television series Bonanza in "The Mill", 1960
Born	Claude Aubrey Akins (1926-05-25)May 25, 1926 Nelson, Georgia, U.S.
Died	January 27, 1994(1994-01-27) (aged 67) Altadena, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1953–1993
Spouse(s)	Therese Fairfield (died June 12, 2006) ​ ​ (m. 1952)​
Children	3

Claude Aubrey Akins (born May 25, 1926 – died January 27, 1994) was an American actor. He had a long career acting in plays, movies, and TV shows. He was most famous for playing Sheriff Lobo in the TV series B. J. and the Bear (1979–1981) and its spin-off show, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.

Claude Akins' Early Life

Where was Claude Akins born?

Claude Akins was born in Nelson, Georgia, in the United States. He grew up in Bedford, Indiana. Records show he was born in 1926.

What did Claude Akins study?

After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Akins went to Northwestern University. He graduated in 1949. He studied theater arts, which helped him prepare for his acting career.

Claude Akins' Movie Roles

What were Claude Akins' first films?

Claude Akins started his movie career in 1953. His first film was From Here to Eternity. The next year, he appeared in The Caine Mutiny.

What other movies did Claude Akins act in?

Akins acted in many well-known films. He played Joe Burdette in Rio Bravo (1959). He was also in Inherit the Wind (1960) as Reverend Jeremiah Brown. Later, he played the gorilla leader Aldo in Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973). This was the last of the original Apes movies.

He also appeared with famous actors like John Wayne in The Sea Chase. He was in Return of the Seven (1966) and Seasons of the Heart (1993).

Claude Akins' Television Career

What TV shows was Claude Akins in?

Claude Akins appeared in many television series. He was often seen in Westerns. Some of these shows include Gunsmoke (10 times) and Rawhide (7 times). He also appeared in Bonanza (4 times).

He was a guest star on The Twilight Zone twice. He was in the episodes "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" and "The Little People". He also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Perry Mason.

What was Claude Akins' most famous TV role?

Akins is best known for playing Sheriff Elroy P. Lobo. This character first appeared on the TV series B. J. and the Bear. He became so popular that he got his own spin-off show, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.

Before playing Sheriff Lobo, Akins starred as Sonny Pruitt in the TV show Movin' On. In this show, he played a truck driver. He also did commercials for products like PoliGrip and AAMCO Transmissions.

In his later years, Akins lent his voice to safety videos. He also appeared in an episode of In the Heat of the Night.

Claude Akins' Death

Claude Akins passed away on January 27, 1994. He was 67 years old. He died from stomach cancer in Pasadena, California.

Claude Akins' Legacy

To honor Claude Akins, a special golf tournament is held each year. It's called the Claude Akins Memorial Golf Classic. It takes place in Bedford, Indiana, where he grew up. Money raised from the event helps fund the Akins Scholarship. This scholarship is given to a graduating senior at Bedford North Lawrence High School. It also supports local recreation projects.

Selected Filmography

Film

• From Here to Eternity (1953) as Sgt. 'Baldy' Dhom
• The Caine Mutiny (1954) as Seaman Dlugatch
• The Defiant Ones (1958) as Mack
• Rio Bravo (1959) as Joe Burdette
• Inherit the Wind (1960) as Rev. Jeremiah Brown
• Merrill's Marauders (1962) as Sgt. Kolowicz
• The Killers (1964) as Earl Sylvester
• Return of the Seven (1966) as Frank
• The Devil's Brigade (1968) as Pvt. Rocky Rockman
• Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) as General Aldo
• Tentacoli (1977) as Sheriff Robards
• The Curse (1987) as Nathan
• Seasons of the Heart (1993) as Pastor William Clay

Television

• Gunsmoke (1955-1972) - 10 episodes, various roles
• The Adventures of Superman (1956) - episode "Peril by Sea" as Ace Miller
• Perry Mason (1958) - episode "The case of the Half-Wakened Wife"
• The Twilight Zone (1960, 1962) - episodes "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" and "The Little People"
• Bonanza (1960-1962) - 4 episodes, various roles
• Rawhide (1961) - episode "The Sendoff" as Mr. Karse
• The Fugitive (1964) - episode "Man in a Chariot" as Ralph Simmons
• The Big Valley (1965) - episode "The Brawlers"
• Movin' On (1974–1976) - 45 episodes as Sonny Pruitt
• B. J. and the Bear (1978–1979) - as Sheriff Elroy P. Lobo
• The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1978–1979) - 38 episodes as Sheriff Elroy P. Lobo
• Murder, She Wrote (1984) - 4 episodes as Ethan Cragg
• In the Heat of the Night (1991) - episode "An Eye for An Eye" as Benjamin Sloan

See also

In Spanish: Claude Akins para niños