Finally, and this is a late addition, there is the actor and activist Dennis Weaver, whom I loved in both the television series Gunsmoke and McCloud. The 81-year-old died Friday from cancer at his home in Colorado.
Weaver had a long, successful career in TV that started with the 1952 show Horizons West and ended with last year's series Wildfire. But he will be best remembered, I think, for playing Gunsmoke's lovable Chester and for his 1970s portrayal of US Marshal Sam McCloud (who was - no offense, Chuck Norris - way cooler than Walker, Texas Ranger, if you ask me).
He ought to be remembered by those who love the planet too: In recent years, Weaver devoted himself to social-justice and environmental concerns, founding the nonprofit Institute of Ecolonomics and working to end pollution. If you get the chance, do seek out the Hydrogen Hero's 1993 documentary Drive to Survive, which champions the use of alternative-fuel vehicles.
Not only did Dennis Weaver entertain us for more than half a century, he worked to make a better, cleaner, safer world. Goddess bless him.
Condolences to all the loved ones and admirers of Octavia Butler, Don Knotts, Darren McGavin and Dennis Weaver. They made a real difference in the lives of millions of people. For that, we owe them thanks, and I wish them all godspeed.
Article comments
1 - Joanie
About a week ago, my son and I were talking about movies that I loved as a kid. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Reluctant Astronaut, The Incredible Mr. Limpet ("a fish, a fish, I wish I were a fish - cuz fish have better lives than people") were all on the list.
My son loves The Andy Griffith Show and was heartbroken over Knotts' death, just as he was over McGavin's. He first saw Darren McGavin in The Delicate Delinquent and we've had to rent other movies with him ever since.
Now we have even more reason to sit down and have a major movie weekend - we'll celebrate the actors and remember them as they were.
2 - Mark Saleski
ah...the ghost and mr. chicken.
that bit with the organ playing itself scared the heck outa me.
3 - Jon Sobel
Ach! Dennis Weaver, we hardly knew ye.
I used to like "McCloud" almost better than "Columbo." But my favorite performance of Weaver's was in "Duel" which was, I believe, Speilberg's first feature. In that film Weaver captured the spirit of the "average guy" better than most anyone.
"There ya go."
4 - bohemianblogger
Nice tribute.
5 - Mary K. Williams
I'm afraid it's the rule of Fives.
Dont' forget Curt Gowdy - another big piece of that same generation.
6 - Natalie Davis
Oh, Ms. Williams, I feel so badly about omitting Curt Gowdy! When we heard the news over the weekend, spousal unit and I were immensely sad. We're both longtime baseball fans, so Gowdy was a fixture in both our households while growing up. And seeing the footage of him covering past Olympic games was bittersweet to be sure. God bless Curt Gowdy, who was by all accounts a sportscaster and a gentleman.
7 - judy pandelos
Great tribute for the four great people we have lost.I loved Don Knotts in anything including Threes Company.I loved Darrin McGavin in the thriller show Kolchak-The Night Stalker.Last but not least Dennis Weaver though he was best known as Chester on Gunsmoke he out did himdelf in the movie Duel,now thats acting.I'm sorry I do not know the other two who passed from this world.I will try to find out more on both Butler and Gowdy.We all know that their stars shine brightly on us who are left behind.
8 - Matthew T. Sussman
I'd kill to see Mr. Furley's face the minute he sees Jack Tripper in heaven already.
9 - Mary K. Williams
"I'd kill to see Mr. Furley's face the minute he sees Jack Tripper in heaven already"
Oh hell Matt, that is so friggin sad.(in that bittersweet kind of way)
10 - Mary K. Williams
Oh, Ms. Williams, I feel so badly about omitting Curt Gowdy
Oh, Natalie, what can you do. Seems a shame that there were just so many all at once. And your comment about Gowdy was a nice little tribute anyway.