Morgan Woodward facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Morgan Woodward
|
|
|---|---|
Woodward as "Shotgun" Gibbs on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, 1959
|
|
| Born |
Thomas Morgan Woodward
September 16, 1925 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
|
| Died | February 22, 2019 (aged 93) |
| Resting place | Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at Arlington |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1956–1998 |
| Spouse(s) | Enid Anne Loftis (1950–?) |
| Children | 1 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Unit | Military Air Transport Command |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
Thomas Morgan Woodward (born September 16, 1925 – died February 22, 2019) was an American actor. He was famous for playing Marvin "Punk" Anderson on the TV show Dallas. He also played Boss Godfrey in the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke.
Morgan Woodward was a familiar face on many cowboy TV shows. On the long-running Western series Gunsmoke, he played 16 different characters. This was more than any other actor on that show. He also had a regular role on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.
Contents
Morgan Woodward's Early Life
Morgan Woodward was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the third of five sons. His parents were Dr. Valin Woodward and Frances McKinley. He grew up in Arlington, Texas, and finished high school in 1944.
After serving in the military during World War II, he went to college. He studied at North Texas Agriculture College. There, he was very involved in theater. He earned a degree in finance in 1948. He also studied law at the University of Texas at Austin. During this time, he hosted a radio show. He also sang in a barbershop quartet and a dance band.
Serving His Country
Woodward was part of the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He learned to fly a plane when he was just 16 years old. He returned to military service during the Korean War. He served in the Military Air Transport Service.
Morgan Woodward's Acting Career
Morgan Woodward had a long and successful acting career. He appeared in many movies and TV shows.
Western TV Shows
One of Woodward's longest TV roles was on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. From 1958 to 1961, he played "Shotgun" Gibbs in 42 episodes. Gibbs was a deputy and sidekick.
Woodward also appeared many times on other popular Western shows. He was on Wagon Train 12 times. He also made many guest appearances on Gunsmoke, Rawhide, and Bonanza.
In 1966, he played Thomas "Broken Hand" Fitzpatrick in Death Valley Days. This episode was about a real-life frontiersman. Woodward also appeared on The Waltons as Boone Walton. Boone was the nephew of Grandpa Zeb Walton.
Star Trek Roles
Morgan Woodward guest-starred in two episodes of the original Star Trek. He played two different characters. In the first season, he was Dr. Simon van Gelder in "Dagger of the Mind" (1966). Dr. van Gelder was a deputy director at a facility for people with mental illnesses.
Later, he played Captain Ron Tracey in "The Omega Glory" during Star Trek's second season. Woodward said playing Dr. Simon van Gelder was the most challenging acting job he ever had. It was tough both physically and emotionally.
Dallas TV Series
Woodward was a familiar face on the TV drama series Dallas. He appeared from 1980 to 1989. His regular role was Marvin "Punk" Anderson. As the show went on, Punk Anderson became a trusted advisor. He often gave advice to the Ewing sons.
Music Recording
In 1963, Morgan Woodward recorded two songs. These were "Heartache City" and "An Encouraging Word."
Awards and Recognition
Morgan Woodward received several honors for his acting. In 2009, he was added to the Hall of Great Western Performers. This is at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
In 1988, he received the Golden Lariat Award. This award was for his important work in Western movies and TV shows. He also won the Golden Boot Award. This award is given by the Hollywood Motion Picture and Television Fund.
Selected Filmography
Morgan Woodward appeared in over 250 TV shows and films.
Film Appearances
- The Great Locomotive Chase (1956) - Alex
- Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (1957) - Tilly Moore (uncredited)
- Gunsight Ridge (1957) - Tex - Lazy Heart Ranch Hand
- Ride a Crooked Trail (1958) - Durgan (uncredited)
- The Gun Hawk (1963) - Deputy 'Mitch' Mitchell
- The Devil's Bedroom (1964)
- The Sword of Ali Baba (1965) - Captain of Guard
- Gunpoint (1966) - Drago Leon
- Cool Hand Luke (1967) - Boss Godfrey
- Firecreek (1968) - Willard
- Death of a Gunfighter (1969) - Ivan Stanek
- The Wild Country (1970) - Ab Cross
- Yuma (1971, TV Movie) - Arch King
- One Little Indian (1973) - Sgt. Raines
- Running Wild (1973) - Crug Crider
- The Midnight Man (1974) - Phillip Clayborne
- Ride in a Pink Car (1974) - Jeff Richman
- A Small Town in Texas (1976) - C.J. Crane
- Supervan (1977) - T.B. Trenton
- Moonshine County Express (1977) - Sweetwater
- Walking Tall: Final Chapter (1977) - The Boss
- Speedtrap (1977) - Capt. Hogan
- Which Way Is Up? (1977) - Mr. Mann
- Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) - Cayman
- Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985) - J.P. Sands
- Dark Before Dawn (1988) - J.B. Watson
- Gunsmoke: To the Last Man (1992, TV Movie) - Sheriff Abel Rose
TV Appearances
Woodward made many other guest appearances on television shows, including:
- Gunsmoke (1957–1974, 19 episodes) - Abraham Wakefield / Bear Sanderson / Lamoor Underwood / Walt Clayton / Luke Dangerfield / Quentin Sargent / Josh Stryker / Luke Brazo / Grant Lyle / Harl Townsend / Zack Johnson / Beaumont / Earl Miller / Ben Rucker / Sholo / Deeks / Calhoun
- Tales of Wells Fargo (1957-1961, 2 episodes) - Phil Slavin / Steve Taggart
- The Restless Gun (1958-1959, 3 episodes) - J.B. Cauter / Jubal Carney / Ben Cotterman
- Wagon Train (1958–1965, 12 episodes)
- The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1958–1961, 80 episodes) - Shotgun Gibbs
- Bat Masterson (1960) - as Kana in S2E35 “The Big Gamble”
- Bonanza (1960–1971, 8 episodes) - Sheriff Clyde Morehouse / Jess Waddle / Will McNabb / Luke Catlin / Mike Gillis / McDermott / Deputy Sheriff Rick Conley / Sheriff Biggs
- The Asphalt Jungle (1961, 1 episode) - Detective Kertz
- Perry Mason (1962, 1 episode) - Carl Pedersen
- Daniel Boone (1964 TV series) (1965) - Tom Sutton - S1/E16 "The First Stone"
- Days of Our Lives (1965) - Phillip Colville (1987-1988, 20 episodes)
- Daniel Boone (1964 TV series) (1965) - Elisha Tully - S2/E14 "The Christmas Story"
- The Lucy Show (1966, as a cowboy with John Wayne) - Pierce
- Star Trek (1966–1968, 2 episodes) - Captain Tracey / Dr. Simon van Gelder
- The High Chaparral (1970) - Billings
- Kung Fu (1972 TV series) (1973-1974, 2 episodes)
- Planet of the Apes (TV Series) (1974) - Martin the blacksmith
- The Waltons (1974–1978, 2 episodes) - Boone Walton
- Logan's Run (1977–1978, 3 episodes as "Morgan") - Morgan
- How the West Was Won (1978-1979, 4 episodes) - The Stranger / Henry Coe
- Fantasy Island (1979-1982, 4 episodes) - Uncle Jack / Nick Hall / Tribal Elder / Marshall Victor Grennan
- The Dukes of Hazzard' (1980–1984, 2 episodes)
- Dallas (1980–1987, 55 episodes) - Marvin "Punk" Anderson (oilman and best friend of Jock Ewing)
- Hill Street Blues (1982, 5 episodes) - John Renko
- The Fall Guy (1982-1985, 2 episodes) - LV Vernon / Reuben
- The A-Team (1983–1987, 2 episodes, as Bus Carter in the 2nd season 2 part episode "When You Comin' Back, Range Rider?" and as Captain Winnetka in the season 3 episode "Showdown")
- The X-Files (Aubrey) (1995) - Old Harry Cokely
- Millennium (1997) - Iron Lung Man (final appearance)
