Glenn Strange

At various times in his life a rancher, deputy sheriff and rodeo performer, this huge, towering (6' 5") beast of a man was born George Glenn Strange in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899, but grew up a real-life cowboy in Cross Cut, Texas. Of Irish and Cherokee Indian descent, he taught himself (by ear) the fiddle and guitar at a young age and started performing at local functions as a teen. In the late 1920s, Glenn and his cousin, Taylor McPeters, better known later as the western character actor Cactus Mack, joined a radio singing group known as the "Arizona Wranglers" that toured throughout the country.

Gunsmoke

Strange first appeared on Gunsmoke in 1960 after James Arness asked him, "When are you going to do a Gunsmoke? I like to work with big guys." During Gunsmoke's sixth season, Strange played a Long Branch customer in "Old Faces" and a cowboy in "Melinda Miles".

Strange began playing Sam Noonan during the seventh season and continued in the role for 222 episodes. In 1972 Strange was diagnosed with lung cancer but worked as long as he was able. Five of his episodes were broadcast after his death. His last appearance was on the November 26, 1973, episode "The Hanging of Newly O'Brien".

Death

On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. Singer Eddie Dean, with whom Strange had collaborated on various songs and opening themes for films, sang at Strange's funeral service as a final tribute. Strange is interred at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery. CLR

Glenn Strange is known for work in acting across film and television. New Release currently presents 29 verified screen credits connected to this profile.

Selected work includes Frontier Doctor (1958), Gunsmoke (1955), Judge Roy Bean (1955), Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Knickerbocker Holiday (1944), Petticoat Junction (1963), The Rifleman (1958), Thriller (1960). The recorded credits span 1939 to 1963, including 11 movies and 18 TV shows.

The filmography below lists available titles, release years and known roles. This profile is updated as additional verified information becomes available.