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Robert William " Dabbs" Greer (April 2, 1917 – April 28, 2007) was an American character actor in film and television for over 60 years. Greer appeared in nearly 100 film roles and in nearly 600 television episodes of various series. He played Mr. Jonas in Gunsmoke, Coach Ossie Weiss in the sitcom Hank, and Robert Alden in Little House on the Prairie. Greer's final film role was as the 108-year-old Paul Edgecomb, the character played by Tom Hanks in 1999's The Green Mile.
After moving to Pasadena, California in 1943, he became an administrator and acting instructor at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Greer made hundreds of appearances in around 200 different television series. He played the role of the marshal in the two-part "King of the Dakotas" (1955) and appeared as Ray in "Paper Gunman" of the NBC Western anthology series Frontier. In the 1956 movie Hot Rod Girl, he played the auto-repair shop owner, Mr. Fry. In 1957, he appeared in the episode "Revenge" on the syndicated Crime film Sheriff of Cochise and as Sanders in the episode "My Horse Ajax" on NBC's children's Western series Fury. About this time, he guest-starred on the syndicated adventure series Whirlybirds and Rescue 8. He also appeared in an episode of Richard Diamond, Private Detective. Greer was cast on the syndicated Western series Pony Express and also guest-starred on three CBS Western series: , Trackdown, and Johnny Ringo. Thereafter, he appeared in the NBC Modern Western series Empire and guest-starred on Stoney Burke.
Greer appeared on ABC's Tombstone Territory (in the 1957 episode "Ambush at Gila Gulch"), and in the 1957 episode "Rebel Christmas" on the Tod Andrews syndicated series The Gray Ghost. He was then cast as Ed Grimes on the 1958 episode "312 Vertical" of the syndicated series State Trooper. He also appeared in It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958). His other appearances in 1959 include the episode "Peligroso" on NBC's Western series The Restless Gun, episodes of Bat Masterson, and the syndicated Man Without a Gun. From 1956 until 1974, Greer had a recurring role as storekeeper Mr. Jonas on the long-running TV series "Gunsmoke". He appeared in 42 episodes of the series. Occasionally, he would play someone other than Mr. Jonas. In one episode, he was Chester's uncle.
The 1960s brought Greer several more recurring roles in popular series, such as track coach Ossie Weiss in Hank, and Sheriff Norris "Norrie" Coolidge in The Ghost & Mrs. Muir. He also made eight appearances on The Rifleman. In 1962, on the ABC/WB Western series Lawman, in an episode titled "The Unmasked", Greer was cast in a fictitious portrayal of Boston Corbett, the Union Army soldier who shot and mortally wounded Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth.
In 1969, Greer played the minister who married Carol and Mike Brady on the pilot episode of the Brady Bunch.
In the May 9, 1991, episode of L.A. Law, titled "On the Toad Again", Greer played a character addicted to a "high" produced by licking the skin secretions of psychoactive toads. In the 1997 film Con Air, Greer appeared as an old man discovered hiding under a pick-up truck at "Lerner Field".
Greer's final feature film was a prominent role as 108-year-old Paul Edgecomb in The Green Mile (1999) starring Tom Hanks as the younger Edgecomb. Greer's last television performance was in a 2003 episode of Lizzie McGuire.
Most of Greer's approximately 700 movie and television appearances had been in supporting roles, but he told the Albany Times Union in an interview in 2000, that "every character actor, in their little sphere, is the lead."
Death
Greer died on April 28, 2007, at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena from kidney failure and heart disease. He is interred in Peace Valley Cemetery in
McDonald County, Missouri.Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Filmography
Film
1949 Reign of Terror Bridge Guard Uncredited 1950 The Damned Don't Cry Reporter Trial Without Jury Jack, Police Radio Room Dispatcher Devil's Doorway Spud Keith California Passage Dealer 1951 Storm Warning Courtroom Cop Call Me Mister Corporal Aide to Colonel Father's Little Dividend Green Taxicab's Driver The Lady from Texas Bailiff The Unknown Man Ambulance Intern Driver Two Tickets to Broadway Soldier in Nightclub Week-End with Father Minor Role Under the Gun Stoner 1952 Room for One More Scoutmaster Deadline – U.S.A. Day Reporter Young Man with Ideas Telephone Man Diplomatic Courier Intelligence Clerk Scarlet Angel Man Robbed by Roxy We're Not Married! Beauty Contest Spectator Sally and Saint Anne Mr. Parker Monkey Business Cabbie My Man and I Court Clerk Because You're Mine Sergeant Because of You Mexican Shop Owner Million Dollar Mermaid Movie Set Engineer The Bad and the Beautiful Studio Lighting Technician Above and Beyond Steve Haddock She Couldn't Say No Dick Jordan 1953 Trouble Along the Way Father Peterson House of Wax Sergeant Jim Shane Julius Caesar Citizen of Rome Uncredited Remains to Be Seen Julius Dream Wife Night Elevator Operator A Slight Case of Larceny Eddie - 1st Gas Man Affair with a Stranger Happy Murray Mister Scoutmaster Fireman Uncredited Mission Over Korea Pilot Half a Hero George Payson China Venture Galuppo Take the High Ground! Shorty Uncredited 1954 Riot in Cell Block 11 Schuyler Bitter Creek Sheriff Rose Marie Charity Dance Cashier Uncredited Lucky Me Eddie Szczepanski The Desperado U.S. Marshal Jim Langley Living It Up Head Boy Ranger Uncredited Private Hell 36 Sam Marvin, Bartender 1955 Seven Angry Men Doctor Hit the Deck Eddie Uncredited Stranger on Horseback Hotel Clerk An Annapolis Story Commander Halleck The Seven Little Foys Tutor Foxfire Bus Driver The Scarlet Coat Captain Brewster The McConnell Story Pilot Instructor At Gunpoint Preacher at Funeral 1956 Meet Me in Las Vegas Mr. Smith-Johnson D-Day the Sixth of June Corporal Atkinson The First Texan Delegate Potter Away All Boats Lieutenant Commander Harrison The Young Guns Fred Tension at Table Rock Doctor Hot Rod Girl Henry Frye Invasion of the Body Snatchers Mac Lomax Hot Cars Detective Davenport 1957 Chain of Evidence Dr. Ainsley The Spirit of St. Louis Goldsborough Uncredited All Mine to Give Clendenning Johnny Tremain Nat Lorne The Vampire Dr. Will Beaumont Pawnee John Brewster My Man Godfrey Lieutenant O'Connor Young and Dangerous Mr. John Clinton Baby Face Nelson FBI Agent Charles Bonner 1958 It! The Terror from Beyond Space Eric Royce I Want to Live! San Quentin Captain 1959 Lone Texan Doc Jansen Day of the Outlaw Doc Langer, Veterinarian Edge of Eternity Gas Station Attendant Last Train from Gun Hill Deputy Andy Uncredited 1960 Cash McCall Bronson 1963 Wives and Lovers Sardi's Waiter Palm Springs Weekend Boys' Club Leader Showdown Express Man 1964 Roustabout Arthur Nielsen 1965 Shenandoah Abernathy 1970 The Cheyenne Social Club Jedediah W. Willowby 1972 Rage Dr. Thompson 1973 White Lightning Pa McKlusky 1977 Evil Town Lyle Phelps 1981 Chu Chu and the Philly Flash Wally 1988 Two Moon Junction Kyle 1989 Otto 1990 Pacific Heights Mr. Thayer 1992 House IV Dad 1994 Little Giants Wilbur 1997 Con Air Man Under Truck 1999 The Green Mile Old Paul Edgecomb Final film role
Television
1950 Dick Tracy Shaky 2 episodes 1950–1954 Fireside Theatre Various characters 14 episodes 1951 Space Patrol Paul Marin Episode: "The Lost City of the Carnacans" 1952 The Doctor Pierson Episode: "No Gods to Serve" The Lone Ranger Toby Durbin Episode: "Through the Wall" 1952–1954 Cavalcade of America Mark Wilson / Johann / John Adams 3 episodes 1952–1955 Big Town Sergeant Jim Ward 4 episodes 1952–1958 Adventures of Superman Episode 1- Played 2 people. Mr. Pebbles and Dan Dobey / Episode 2 - Joe Winters / Episode 3 - Man Saved from Dirigible Fall 3 episodes 1953–1955 Big Town Colonel Venable / Dave / General Charles S. Venable 3 episodes 1954 Waterfront Phil Harvey Episode: "Stand by All Stations" Topper Jack Episode: "Preparations for Europe" The Lone Wolf Sheriff Ketton Episode: "The Wife Story" Climax! Adams Episode: "The After House" Your Favorite Story Unknown character Episode: "The Waltz" 1954–1960 Letter to Loretta Various characters 9 episodes 1954–1965 Lassie Casey Howell / Joe Baker 3 episodes 1955 Father Knows Best Mr. Collins Episode: "Father Delivers the Papers" The Man Behind the Badge Detective Merrick Episode: "The Case of the Capital Crime" The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp Marshal Crawford Episode: "Wyatt Earp Becomes a Marshal" Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Charlie Episode: "A Gift of Life" Frontier Marshal / Ray 2 episodes General Electric Theater Tom Episode: "Prosper's Old Mother" Navy Log Mr. Sayres Episode: "Navy Corpsman" 1955–1956 Science Fiction Theatre Professor Horst Reimers / MacNamara / Arthur Kern 3 episodes Lux Video Theatre Shammy / Maguire 4 episodes 1955–1957 Fireside Theatre Boggs / Germie / Henry Blaine / Jeremy 2 episodes 1956 The Man Called X Josef Episode: "For External Use Only" The Star and the Story Dr. Carlson Episode: "Payment in Kind" NBC Matinee Theater Various characters 2 episodes The Millionaire Stoolie Episode: "The Ed Murdock Story" Alfred Hitchcock Presents Theodore the Milkman / The Sheriff Season 1 Episode 25: "There Was an Old Woman" as Theodore the Milkman
Season 1 Episode 33: "The Belfry" as the Sheriff TV Reader's Digest Captain Larsen / Paul Diamond / Dr. Rayborn / Tad Duncan, Sr. / Dr. Petrie 5 episodes Chevron Hall of Stars John Episode: "Family Affair" The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show Dr. J. L. Hendricks / Bert Keith 2 episodes The Joseph Cotten Show Mr. Erwin Episode: "We Who Love Her" Studio 57 Sheriff Barton Episode: "Swing Your Partner, Hector" 1956–1961 Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Various characters 6 episodes 1956–1974 Gunsmoke Wilbur Jonas (storekeeper) / Joe Bean / Uncle Wesley 43 episodes 1957 The New Adventures of Charlie Chan Zac West Episode: "The Lost Face" How to Marry a Millionaire Mr. Blandish 3 episodes Broken Arrow Joe Randolph Episode: "Legacy of a Hero" Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal Tom Denby / Pete Maxwell 2 episodes Fury Sanders Episode: "My Horse Ajax" Sheriff of Cochise Charlie Jackson Episode: "Revenge" The West Point Story Tom Nolan 2 episodes Code 3 Louis Johnson / Bill Rockwell 2 episodes The Web Unknown character Episode: "Man with a Choice" The Gray Ghost Cooper Episode: "Rebel Christmas" Tombstone Territory Jim Edwards, Sr. Episode: "Ambush at Gila Gulch" 1957–1958 Whirlybirds Jim Burdette / Dan Malloy 2 episodes Trackdown Mike Kilroy / Sheriff Chet Farrow / Ward Barrett / Ethan Phelps 4 episodes 1958 Official Detective James Episode: "The Cover-Up" The Court of Last Resort Sheriff Cass Baker Episode: "The Joel Sheldon Case" State Trooper Ed Grimes Episode: "312 Vertical" Target Kirby Episode: "Backfire" Westinghouse Studio One Lewis Episode: "Image of Fear" The Restless Gun Roy Stanton Episode: "Peligroso" 1958–1959 Wanted Dead or Alive Bartender / Elder Luke Boone / Tom Wade 3 episodes Walt Disney Presents Will / Fort Supplier 2 episodes 1958–1966 Perry Mason Various characters 8 episodes 1959 Pony Express Sheriff Barnett Episode: "Wrong Rope" Steve Canyon Ben Moore Episode: "The Bomb" Playhouse 90 Clayton Beard Episode: "The Day Before Atlanta" The Thin Man Amboy - Hotel Clerk Episode: "Anonymity Anyone?" The Rough Riders Sheriff Jenkins Episode: "Paradise Gap" Alcoa Theatre Policeman Episode: "Christabel" Man Without a Gun Ben McLaren Episode: "Hangtree Inn" The Troubleshooters Lepage Episode: "The Law and the Profits" Tightrope! Skeet Episode: "Thousand Dollar Bill" Bat Masterson Will Episode: "Wanted: Dead" Law of the Plainsman Wesley Episode: “The Hostiles” Richard Diamond, Private Detective Scooter Jaffee Episode: "The Adjuster" The Rifleman Brett Conway
Sam Episode: "Panic"
"Boomerang" S1 E39 Wichita Town John Matthews Episode: "The Devil's Choice" 1959–1960 Black Saddle Owen Edwards / Denver Pollock 2 episodes Goodyear Theatre Matty Burton / Policeman 2 episodes 1959–1965 Wagon Train Hiram Snow / Mr. Finley / Tanner 3 episodes 1960 Rescue 8 Harvey Episode: "Quicksand" Johnny Ringo Sam Episode: "Killer, Choose a Card" The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Mr. Walter Gilroy 2 episodes The DuPont Show with June Allyson Dr. Meeker Episode: "Dark Fear" Shirley Temple's Storybook Samuel Episode: "The Reluctant Dragon" Klondike Piano Delivery Man Episode: "Keys to Trouble" Tales of Wells Fargo Ben Wilson Episode: "The Bride and the Bandit" Perry Mason Charles Knudsen, night watchman S4, E5 "The Case of the Lavender Lipstick" Two Faces West Willie Medford Episode: "The Proud Man" 1960–1961 Death Valley Days Slim Newell / Leo Harris 2 episodes 1960–1962 Laramie Elmo Regis / Mr. Colby / Samuel Clemens 3 episodes 1961 The Rifleman Finny Episodes: "The Wyoming Story: Part 1" & "The Wyoming Story: Part 2" Shotgun Slade Ed Brandon Episode: "A Gun and a Prayer" The Law and Mr. Jones Unknown character Episode: "Indian War" The Jack Benny Program 1st Desk Clerk Episode: "Jack Goes to Las Vegas" Stagecoach West Foster / Reider 2 episodes The Asphalt Jungle Al Stehl Episode: "The Friendly Gesture" The Aquanauts Oscar / Haber 2 episodes Adventures in Paradise Reverend Forbes Episode: "Errand of Mercy" Hawaiian Eye Harry Wilson Episode: "Thomas Jefferson Chu" Cain's Hundred Willie Beal Episode: "The Penitent: Louis Strode" Dr. Kildare Mr. Willis Episode: "Holiday Weekend" Bus Stop Jefty Episode: "A Lion Walks Among Us" Ichabod and Me Mr. Halliday Episode: "Teenage Journalist" 1961–1962 Checkmate Hokey / Henry Creasy 2 episodes Lawman Joe Brockway / Les Courtney 2 episodes The Detectives Ed Foster / Mr. Blane / Todd Adams / Helm Merriwether 4 episodes 1961–1963 The Untouchables Brower / Agent Ned Ferber / Thomas B. Randall 3 episodes 1961–1964 Rawhide Sheriff / Jebidiah Haddlebird / Townsman 3 episodes 1961 S3:E14, "Incident of the Big Blowout" 1961–1965 The Andy Griffith Show Mr. Sims / Naylor / Sales Clerk / Councilman Dobbs 4 episodes 1961–1971 Bonanza Various characters 8 episodes 1962 Have Gun – Will Travel Doc Halop Episode: "Lazarus" Surfside 6 Finney Tate Episode: "The Surfside Swindle" Follow the Sun Fulton Episode: "Marine of the Month" Alcoa Premiere Herb Raymond Episode: "The Very Custom Special" The Dick Powell Theatre Gavin Episode: "Pericles on 31st Street" Don't Call Me Charlie! Dr. Martin Episode: "Vive Judson McKay" The Eleventh Hour Ed Crain Episode: "Angie, You Made My Heart Stop" Saints and Sinners Walter Hines Episode: "A Night of Horns and Bells" 1962–1963 The Twilight Zone Evans / Scanlan 2 episodes 1962–1965 The Dick Van Dyke Show Mr. Brumley / Mr. Waring / Chaplain Berger 4 episodes 1963 Empire Joseph Williams Episode: "End of an Image" Stoney Burke Dr. John Banner Episode: "Image of Glory" Make Room for Daddy Impatient Postal Customer Episode: "Rusty's Birthday" I'm Dickens, He's Fenster Charlie Piedmont Episode: "Senior Citizen Charlie" Temple Houston Marshal Cloud Episode: "Gallows in Galilee" Kraft Suspense Theatre Newton Yort Episode: "A Hero for Our Times" The Greatest Show on Earth Unknown character Episode: "Lady in Limbo" 1963–1967 The Fugitive Various characters 6 episodes 1964 Grindl Sladowski Episode: "Grindl, Private Eye" Perry Mason Larsen Halstead S7, E16 "The Case of the Ice-Cold Hands" Destry Dr. Forbes Episode: "Destry Had a Little Lamb" Arrest and Trial J.H. Salomon Episode: "The Black Flower" The Rogues Madigan Episode: "The Personal Touch" The Outer Limits E.F. Larkin / Mr. Bishop 2 episodes 1965 Wendy and Me Orville Beaumont Episode: "A Bouquet for Mr. Bundy" The Bill Dana Show Mr. Clark Episode: "The Court Jester" The Cara Williams Show Fuliner Episode: "Pawn Ticket for a Ticker" Peyton Place Parole Officer / E.J. Taggart 2 episodes Profiles in Courage Taylor / Dr. Fenner 2 episodes 1965–1966 Hank Coach Ossie Weiss 21 episodes 1965–1967 The Virginian Ed Harger / Doc 2 episodes Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Policeman / Harper Caldwell 2 episodes 1966 Laredo Ira Episode: "Road to San Remo" 1966–1973 The F.B.I. Various characters 10 episodes 1967 The Invaders The Minister Episode: "The Experiment" Rango Sheriff Simmons Episode: "Gunfight at the K.O. Saloon" The Road West Thomas Grimmer Episode: "Elizabeth's Odyssey" Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Police Officer Episode: "The Prize Boat" Cimarron Strip Judge Quayle Episode: "Nobody" The Big Valley Matt Carson Episode: "Night of the Executioner" 1967–1969 Mannix Mr. Coombs / Petey O'Grady / Dan Turpin 3 episodes 1968 The Second Hundred Years General Craven Episode: "For Whom the Drums Beat" Petticoat Junction Mr. Peck Episode: "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" The Wild Wild West Captain Lyman Butler / Senator Seth Buckley 2 episodes 1968–1969 Judd, for the Defense Dr. Fred Zellmer / Mr. LeBow 2 episodes The Ghost & Mrs. Muir Norrie Coolidge 6 episodes 1969 The Brady Bunch Minister Episode: "The Honeymoon" Lancer Sheriff Episode: "The Kid" 1969–1973 Ironside Old Librarian / Mr. Carew / Thomas Gibbs 3 episodes 1970 The Boy Who Stole the Elephant Stilts Television film Bracken's World Man on Bus Episode: "Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon" The Name of the Game Victor Bychek Episode: "Echo of a Nightmare" The Interns Edgar Jarvis Episode: "Death Wish" The Young Lawyers Jacobi Episode: "MacGillicuddy Always Was a Pain in the Neck" 1971 Casey Episode: "Angry Man" O'Hara, U.S. Treasury Billy Jack Episode: "Operation: Moonshine" 1972 Nichols Harrigan Episode: "Sleight of Hand" The Mod Squad Store Owner Episode: "Taps, Play It Louder" 1972–1973 The Rookies Billy Levinson / Studio Guard 2 episodes 1973 Ghost Story Harry Bell Episode: "Earth, Air, Fire and Water" Winesburg, Ohio Parcival Television film Barnaby Jones Andy Spake Episode: "Murder-Go-Round" Adam-12 Dave Carlson Episode: ”Venice Division” 1973–1974 Cannon Walt Fox / Windom Salter 2 episodes 1974 Chopper One Motel Manager Episode: "Strain of Innocence" Chase Parino Episode: "Out of Gas" The Greatest Gift Deacon Hurd Television film Paper Moon Unknown character Episode: "Bonnie and Clyde" The Manhunter Harry Bell Episode: "The Lodester Ambush" 1974–1983 Little House on the Prairie Reverend Alden 76 episodes 1975 Shazam! Seldom Seen Slim Episode: "Fool's Gold" Saturday Night Live Man at Veterinary Clinic Episode: "Candice Bergen/Esther Phillips" 1976 The Rockford Files Peter Preli Episode: "Where's Houston?" The Streets of San Francisco Watchman Episode: "Dead or Alive" 1977 Green Eyes Mr. Cousins Television film Emergency! Dr. Hubert Nippert Episode: "Upward and Onward" 1978 The Incredible Hulk Dr. Malone Episode: "The Beast Within" The Winds of Kitty Hawk Ace Hutchin Television film 1981 Charlie's Angels Bluford Catlin Episode: "Moonshinin' Angels" 1982 The Greatest American Hero Supervisor Episode: "Train of Thought" Matt Houston Henry Episode: "Who Would Kill Ramona?" 1983 Reverend Alden Television film 1984 Reverend Alden Television film 1986 Starman Ralph Wollery Episode: "Fever" 1987 Werewolf Russell Episode: "Friendly Haven" 1988 Charles in Charge 'Buzz' Powell Episode: "Poppa, the Sailor Man" Sills Television film First Impressions Milt Episode: "Pilot" 1989 Roseanne Joe Episode: "Lobocop" Ann Jillian Unknown character Episode: "Buddy System" 1990 The Bradys Minister Episode: "The Brady 500" 1990–1991 In the Heat of the Night J.L. Lambry 2 episodes 1991 L.A. Law Chester Mead Episode: "On the Toad Again" Empty Nest Mr. Sobel Episode: "Almost Like Being in Love" 1992 The Secret of Lost Creek Henry "Grandpa" Fogel Unknown episodes 1992–1996 Picket Fences Reverend Henry Novotny 20 episodes 1994 Rebel Highway Gary Episode: "Runaway Daughters" 1997 George and Leo Uncle Dick Episode: "The Thanksgiving Show" 1998 Ally McBeal Vincent Robbins Episode: "Alone Again" 2000 Spin City Dr. Marsh Laughlin, DDS Episode: "Smile" 2001 Danny McNamara 2 episodes Family Law Frank Watson Episode: "The Gay Divorcee" 2001–2002 Maybe It's Me Grandpa Fred Stage 21 episodes 2003 Lizzie McGuire Moe Episode: "My Fair Larry" (final acting role)
External links
Categories: 1917 Births, 2007 Deaths, People From Newton County, Missouri, American Male Film Actors, American Male Television Actors, Male Actors From Greater Los Angeles, Deaths From Kidney Failure In California, Drury University Alumni, Male Actors From Missouri, Western Television Actors, 20th-century American Male Actors, Male Actors From Pasadena, California
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