Dennis Burkley
| Dennis Burkley | |
|---|---|
 Dennis Burkley in 1979 | |
| Born |
September 8, 1945 Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Died |
July 14, 2013 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1973–2013 |
| Spouse(s) | Laura Alderdice (1967–2013; his death) |
Dennis Henry Burkley (September 8, 1945 – July 14, 2013) was an American actor. In a career spanning four decades, he appeared in numerous films and television series.
Early life
Burkley was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Imogene (née Ware) and Henry Burkley.[1] He grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas, and graduated from Texas Christian University.
Career
In his 1980s and 1990s appearances, Burkley was most recognizable for his large 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and 300 lb (140 kg) frame, scruffy beard, and Southern accent. However, in later appearances, he lost a significant amount of weight and had a less slovenly appearance.
Though he had many acting credits, his most recognizable roles include Cal, the Texas-born junkyard partner of Fred G. Sanford in the short-lived Sanford and Son sequel Sanford, and Dozer, a biker with a severe speech impediment who befriends Rocky Dennis and his mother in the movie Mask.
Burkley also appeared in the drug culture drama Rush in 1991, the Chevy Chase comedy Fletch Lives, and Sylvester Stallone's Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. Burkley provided the voice of several supporting characters on the animated television series King of the Hill (set in his home state of Texas). In 2005, he wrote and directed a film titled Repetition and also played a small role in the television series My Name Is Earl. One of his most visible recent roles was in Kevin Costner's golf comedy Tin Cup.
He was often mistaken for fellow character actor Mickey Jones.
Personal life
Burkley was married to Laura Alderdice from 1967 until his death.
Death
He died in his sleep of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California on July 14, 2013.[2]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Bummer | Butts |
| 1974 | Nightmare Honeymoon | Bubba |
| 1976 | Stay Hungry | Heavy #2 |
| 1976 | The Call of the Wild | Stoney |
| 1977 | Heroes | Gus |
| 1978 | Laserblast | Deputy Ungar |
| 1985 | Mask | Dozer |
| 1985 | The Slugger's Wife | Chuck |
| 1985 | Murphy's Romance | Freeman Coverley |
| 1986 | Stewardess School | Snake Pellino |
| 1987 | Wanted: Dead or Alive | Farnsworth |
| 1987 | Who's That Girl | Benny |
| 1987 | Malone | Dan Bollard |
| 1987 | No Way Out | Mate |
| 1988 | Pass the Ammo | Big Joe Becker |
| 1989 | Fletch Lives | Joe Jack |
| 1989 | An Innocent Man | Butcher |
| 1990 | Lambada | Uncle Big |
| 1990 | The End of Innocence | Tiny |
| 1991 | The Doors | Dog |
| 1991 | Suburban Commando | Deak |
| 1991 | Rush | Motorcycle Guy |
| 1992 | Beyond the Law | Oatmeal |
| 1992 | Four Eyes and Six Guns | Luke Doom |
| 1992 | Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot | Mitchell |
| 1992 | Sidekicks | Hank |
| 1993 | Son in Law | Theo |
| 1996 | Tin Cup | Earl |
| 1997 | Touch | Hillbilly |
| 1997 | Fathers' Day | Calvin |
| 1997 | Con Air | Dale |
| 1998 | Possums | Orville Moss |
| 2003 | Pauly Shore Is Dead | Celebrity Judge #3 |
| 2003 | Hollywood Homicide | Hank |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Starsky & Hutch | 1 episode | |
| 1976 | Family | Roy Axelrod | 1 episode |
| 1976 | McCloud | Big Mama | 1 episode |
| 1976–1978 | Maude | Sam Dickey | 3 episodes |
| 1976–1979 | The Rockford Files | 3 episodes | |
| 1977 | Quincy, M.E. | Thomas "Tom-Tom" Tomlinson | 1 episode |
| 1977–1978 | Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman | Mac Slattery | 85 episodes |
| 1978 | Baretta | Ronco | 1 episode |
| 1979 | B. J. and the Bear | Harry Cunningham | 2 episodes |
| 1979 | Hanging In | Sam Dickey | 2 episodes |
| 1980 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Bubba | Episode: "Find Loretta Lynn" |
| 1980–1981 | Sanford | Cal Pettie | |
| 1981 | The Greatest American Hero | 1 episode | |
| 1982 | Gimme a Break | 1 episode | |
| 1983 | Amanda's | Billy Rae | Episode: "The Man Who Came on Wednesday" |
| 1983 | Hill Street Blues | Sonny Crockett | 4 episodes |
| 1984 | Night Court | Angry Man | Episode: "The Blizzard" |
| 1985 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Mickey Larsen | Episode: "Strange Visitor to Hazzard" |
| 1986 | Who's the Boss? | ||
| 1989 | Who's the Boss? | ||
| 1991 | "The New WKRP in Cincinnati" | "Jocko" | 2 Episodes "Here Comes Everybody" Pt.1
"Here Comes Everybody" Pt.2 |
| 1991 | "Designing Women" | Buford | |
| 1993 | "Family Matters | ||
| 1995 | ER | Fresh Prince of Bel Air | 1 episode |
| 1997–2010 | King of the Hill | Principal Moss; various | Voice |
| 2001 | The Drew Carey Show | 1 episode | |
| 2005–2008 | My Name is Earl | ||
References
- ↑ Dennis Burkley Biography at filmreference.com
- ↑ Actor Dennis Burkley dies at 67