G. D. Spradlin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids G. D. Spradlin
Born	Gervase Duan Spradlin (1920-08-31)August 31, 1920 Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	July 24, 2011(2011-07-24) (aged 90) San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Oklahoma
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1966–1999
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Nell Spradlin ​ ​ (m. 1944; died 2000)​ Frances Hendrickson ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	2
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Gervase Duan Spradlin (born August 31, 1920 – died July 24, 2011) was an American actor. He was also a lawyer and a businessman. Spradlin was known for his unique voice and often played important, sometimes tricky, leaders. He appeared in over 70 TV shows and movies. He worked with famous actors like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and Johnny Depp.

Early Life and Education

Gervase Duan Spradlin was born on August 31, 1920. His hometown was Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Both of his parents were schoolteachers.

Spradlin went to the University of Oklahoma. He earned his college degree in teaching there. He was also a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. After college, he joined the United States Army Air Force. He served during World War II and was stationed in China.

After his time in the military, Spradlin returned to the University of Oklahoma. He finished his law degree in 1948.

Career Before Becoming an Actor

Spradlin started his career as a lawyer in Venezuela. Later, he became an independent oil producer. He even started his own company called Rouge Oil.

Before he began acting, Spradlin was involved in local politics. He helped with John F. Kennedy's election campaign in 1959.

Spradlin's Acting Journey

In 1964, Spradlin joined the Oklahoma Repertory Theatre. This was his first step into acting.

Early TV Roles

Spradlin got a big break in the 1960s. A casting director named Fred Roos helped him get roles in TV shows. He appeared in shows like I Spy and Mannix. He also played Colonel Driscoll in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C..

He worked with Jack Webb on the series Dragnet. Spradlin played different characters on the show. In 1968, he was a fake police sergeant named Preston C. Densmore.

Film Appearances in the 1970s

In 1970, Spradlin was in the movie Tora! Tora! Tora!. He played Commander Maurice E. "Germany" Curts. He also appeared in the movie Zabriskie Point that same year.

When Fred Roos helped produce The Godfather Part II, he suggested Spradlin for a role. Spradlin played Pat Geary, a senator from Nevada. He also played a senator in the 1976 TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man Book II.

In 1977, he was a guest star in the Columbo episode "Try and Catch Me." His other movies included One on One (1977). In this film, he played a strict basketball coach. He was also General Corman in Apocalypse Now. This role involved assigning a search mission to Martin Sheen's character.

In 1979, he played football coach B.A. Strother in North Dallas Forty. In 1983, he was General Durrell in The Lords of Discipline.

Playing Presidents and Admirals

In 1984, Spradlin played a sheriff in the movie Tank. In 1985, he played President Lyndon B. Johnson in the miniseries Robert Kennedy and His Times.

He played another American president in 1986. He was Andrew Jackson in the TV movie Houston: The Legend of Texas. He also starred in the miniseries Dream West that year. In 1988, he played Admiral Raymond A. Spruance in War and Remembrance.

In 1989, Spradlin had a small role in The War of the Roses. He played a divorce lawyer in the film.

Later Roles and Retirement

Spradlin played a minister in Ed Wood (1994). In Nick of Time (1995), he was a person involved in a plan to harm a state governor. He also played Bishop Dyer in the TV movie Riders of the Purple Sage (1996). This movie was based on a famous novel.

In 1996, he played the President of the United States in The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Spradlin stopped acting after the movie Dick (1999). In that film, he played Ben Bradlee.

Personal Life and Passing

Spradlin had two daughters with his first wife, Nell. Nell passed away in 2000. In 2002, he married Frances Hendrickson.

G. D. Spradlin died on July 24, 2011. He was 90 years old. He passed away from natural causes at his cattle ranch in San Luis Obispo, California.

Filmography