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  • BIRTH 17/11/1911
  • DEATH 02/12/1976
  • Country United States
  • SHOWS 3
  • MOVIES 16

William Tannen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Tannen (November 17, 1911 – December 2, 1976) was an American actor originally from New York City, who was best known for his role of Deputy Hal Norton in fifty-six episodes from 1956 to 1958 of the ABC/Desilu western television series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, with Hugh O'Brian as Deputy Marshal Wyatt Earp.

Tannen was also cast as Gyp Clements in the 1955 episode "The Buntline Special" of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Beginning on September 11, 1956, in the second season of the series, with the setting moved from Wichita to Dodge City, Kansas, Tannen filled the Hal Norton role. His earliest episodes were "Fight or Run", "The Double Life of Dora Hand" and "Clay Allison", the latter two based on historical figures, the saloon singer and actor Dora Hand and the gunfighter Clay Allison. Some of his appearances were uncredited. His last credited role was "Doc Holliday Rewrites History" (May 6, 1958), with Myron Healey as the frontier gunfighter and dentist Doc Holliday. His last uncredited roles aired thereafter in May and June 1958, "Dig a Grave for Ben Thompson", based on the historical figure Ben Thompson played by Denver Pyle, "Frame-up", and "My Husband".

He was cast as Ike Clanton, not on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, but in the 1964 episode "After the OK Corral" of the syndicated western anthology series, Death Valley Days. Jim Davis portrayed Wyatt Earp in this particular episode. Tannen appeared twice, one role uncredited in Davis' earlier syndicated western series, Stories of the Century, including the role of Dutch Charlie in "Milt Sharp", the story of the stagecoach robber Milt Sharp.

William Tannen

Shows (3)

Perry Mason
Perry Mason
Frank - Studio Guard
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
John Hirschbeck / Townsman
Tales of Wells Fargo
Tales of Wells Fargo
Keenan

Movies (16)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Intern Fenwick
99 River Street
99 River Street
Director
Sunset in the West
Sunset in the West
John Kimball (as William J. Tannen)
A Yank in Korea
A Yank in Korea
Lt. Lewis
The Big Store
The Big Store
Fred Sutton
The Canterville Ghost
The Canterville Ghost
Jordan
The Golden Idol
The Golden Idol
Sergeant Reed
The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers
Traveler (uncredited)
Hero and the Terror
Hero and the Terror
Civil Engineer
Nazi Agent
Nazi Agent
Ludwig
Tarzan's New York Adventure
Tarzan's New York Adventure
Mike, an Airport Clerk (uncredited)
Air Raid Wardens
Air Raid Wardens
Joseph
Woman of the Year
Woman of the Year
Ellis
The Hardys Ride High
The Hardys Ride High
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Ship Ahoy
Ship Ahoy
Agent Flammer
The Perfect Set-Up
The Perfect Set-Up
MGM Crime Reporter Jim (uncredited)