Birth Day: 1899-08-16
Place of birth: Weed, New Mexico, USA
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
Credits
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As Self -
As The Monster (archive footage) -
As Self (archive footage) -
As Self (archive footage) -
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As The Monster (archive footage)
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As The Monster (archive footage) -
As (archive footage) -
As Robot / Ming soldier / Gocko (archive footage) (uncredited) -
As Frankenstein Monster -
As James Gang Member -
As Gun Hill Bouncer -
As Todd -
As Townsman -
As Matt -
As Pierce Henchman in Saloon (uncredited) -
As Sheriff -
As Milliken, Stage Driver (uncredited) -
As Sheriff in Silver Rapids (uncredited) -
As Big George -
As Bit Role (uncredited) -
As Beleanth -
As Indian Chief (uncredited) -
As Sergeant Compton (uncredited) -
As Mik-Kel -
As Marshal (uncredited) -
As Prospector (uncredited) -
As Stand Watie -
As Sgt. Compton (uncredited)
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As Tom Roper -
As Butch Cavendish -
As Rig Ferris - Foreman (uncredited) -
As Ben Hanley -
As Marshal Jim -
As Tex Hodgkins -
As Cowboy Actor on Saloon set (uncredited) -
As Colonel (uncredited) -
As Capt. Ben Avery -
As Devil Dan Winfield -
As Big Joe -
As Curt Calvin -
As Atlas the Monster -
As Ace Hanlon -
As Posse Deputy (uncredited) -
As Naylor (uncredited) -
As Renegade -
As The Monster -
As Foreman Davis (uncredited) -
As Lefty -
As Bill Roach - Brewton Ranch Hand (uncredited) -
As Singing Cowboy (clip from "Ride, Cowboy, Ride", 1939) (uncredited) -
As Chief Galley Overseer (uncredited) -
As Cop (Uncredited) -
As Sheriff Peters -
As The Frankenstein Monster -
As Bart Drummond -
As Cowboy (uncredited) -
As Frank 'Ace' Hanlon -
As Paul Kenton -
As Miner -
As Frankenstein Monster -
As Ike Simmons -
As Marshal Taylor -
As Big Muscle -
As Duke Ellis, Gang Leader -
As Giant -
As Henchman Garvey -
As Biff Benham -
As Barker -
As Henchman Matt -
As Jake (uncredited) -
As Andy -
As Lem - Jack's Gang Member -
As 2nd Gate Guard -
As Sonora -
As Tom Slade -
As Frank Martin -
As Henchman Tip -
As Rance Austin -
As Corbin (as Glen Strange) -
As The Marshall -
As Dirk Randall -
As Walker -
As Boss Coulter -
As Southerner in Montage (uncredited) -
As Jack Hammond -
As Frank Curtis -
As Hank Reynolds -
As Harlen Kent -
As Banker Jeff Corey -
As The Maverick -
As Petro -
As Deputy Louie Meade -
As Sheriff Big Bill Collins -
As Joe Duncan -
As Henchman Bill -
As Lead Henchman Stokes -
As Deputy (uncredited) -
As Henchman Sloan -
As Roger Denby -
As Boss Stanton -
As Farmer Holding Horse (uncredited) -
As Cal (uncredited) -
As Luke Miller -
As Sheriff Trump -
As Vic Landreau -
As Marshal Scott (as Glen Strange) -
As Roy Jessup -
As Little Bear -
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As Gray -
As Townsman -
As Henchman Krinkle -
As Matt Brawley -
As Tex, a Benton Rider -
As Idaho -
As Jeff Payson (as Glen Strange) -
As Bart Gill / Ike Breeden -
As Bob Russell -
As Henchman Ed Stark -
As Jim Rawlins -
As Sheriff -
As Sheriff Hays (as Glen Strange) -
As Fletcher - Henchman -
As Manny -
As Bill Hoagland -
As Mike -
As Stagecoach driver -
As Vic Insley -
As Sheriff Dave -
As Tough Yankee #1 -
As Frank Wiley -
As Stokes -
As Bill Smalley - Henchman -
As Bret Stockton -
As Cole Younger -
As Sheriff -
As Rance Potter -
As Sheriff -
As Henderson -
As Raider Thorne -
As Jeff Masters -
As Bouncer -
As Bat Morrison -
As Bob Causer -
As Ross Haddon -
As Slim Schultz -
As Sheriff Dawson -
As George Kirby -
As Boggs -
As Angry Riverboat Gambler -
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As The 'Champ' (uncredited) -
As Blackie -
As Sheriff
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As Henchman Kelso -
As Henchman -
As Deputy Joe O'Connell -
As Tex - Henchman
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As Sheriff Ed -
As Sheriff -
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As Henchman Bull -
As Burke -
As Henchman Cramer -
As Messenger -
As Saunders -
As Foreman Jed -
As Kendal Henchman -
As Harry, Fiddle Player and Band Leader -
As Bandy Malarkey -
As Henchman Pete -
As Barzeck -
As Tex Roberts -
As Peewee -
As Pewee -
As Prankster Butch -
As Henchman Bud -
As Henchman Tim / Trooper (uncredited) -
As Wedding Groom / Rustler -
As Trial Spectator (uncredited) -
As Gocko/Robot/Soldier -
As Henchman Jake -
As Master of Ceremonies -
As Norton -
As Carter -
As Stew-Bum -
As Arizona Wranglers Band Member 'Peewee' Strange (uncredited) -
As Monte -
As Burn's Henchman -
As Singer / Fiddler / Townsman -
As Loco Frank -
As Singer -
As Studio Western Cowboy -
As Hawk Henchman (uncredited) -
As Jim -
As Cowboy Who Refuses to Ride -
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As Trooper