Dennis Burkley

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Dennis Burkley
Dennis Burkley 1979.jpg
Dennis Burkley in 1979
Born (1945-09-08)September 8, 1945
Los Angeles, California, USA
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
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. He died in his sleep of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California on July 14, 2013.[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
1976 Stay Hungry
1976 The Call of the Wild
1977 Heroes
1978 Laserblast
1985 Mask
1985 Murphy's Romance
1986 Stewardess School
1987 Wanted: Dead or Alive
1987 Who's That Girl
1987 Malone
1987 No Way Out
1988 Pass the Ammo
1989 Fletch Lives
1989 An Innocent Man
1990 Lambada
1990 The End of Innocence
1991 The Doors
1991 Suburban Commando
1991 Rush
1992 Beyond the Law
1992 Four Eyes and Six Guns
1992 Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
1992 Sidekicks
1993 Son in Law
1996 Tin Cup
1996 Touch
1997 Fathers' Day
1997 Con Air
1998 Possums
2003 Pauly Shore Is Dead
2003 Hollywood Homicide

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 1 episode
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

 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

External links

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