Dan White (actor)


Dan White was an American actor, well known for appearing in Western films and TV shows.

Biography

Early life

White was born in 1907 to George and Orpha White about from the Suwannee River in Falmouth, Florida. He was one of 13 siblings. The family later moved to Lakeland, Florida.
White acted in a show with Frances Langford in Tampa's Rialto Theatre. During this period, he met Matilda Mae "Tilda" Spivey. They wed on February 25, 1933. Tilda had a two-year-old son from a previous marriage, Arthur Grant Gifford. He still longed for a career in entertainment, resigned from the CCC in 1935, and began his journey to Hollywood with his small family. In January 1936, he stopped in Texarkana, Arkansas, while Tilda awaited the birth of their second child. Her sister, Mary, who was in Texarkana, invited the Whites to stay there for a few months. After the birth of the baby, June Larue White, the Whites continued toward California.

In Hollywood

Upon returning in 1938, he got work with Republic Pictures Corporation, making six films in his first year. The first film was Prairie Moon, starring Gene Autry. White made $55 a week during that picture. He claimed to have made about 300 films and 150 television cameos during his years in Hollywood. Around 70 percent were Westerns. His well-known films include The Yearling, Distant Drums, Red River, To Kill a Mockingbird, Giant, Duel in the Sun, Four Faces West, Jailhouse Rock, and Touch of Evil.
During this time, White and his wife had a third child, Donald Curtis White. The films that made White most famous were his numerous appearances in B-Westerns, where he portrayed the antagonist. During the 1950s and 1960s, he started turning to television. He was offered the role of "Sam the Bartender" on Gunsmoke, but he didn't commit to the idea. He asked his best friend, Glenn Strange, to apply for the job instead. Dan's final movie was Black Sunday
White was posthumously inducted into the Walk of Western Stars. His grandson accepted the honor on his behalf on April 11, 2019.
In 2025, a biography of his life, Highway Robbery to Hollywood Fame, was published.

Selected filmography

Motion pictures

Note: An asterisk means that Dan White had an uncredited role; two asterisks means that he was credited as either Daniel White or Daniel M. White.

Television

The Lone Ranger - John PortisHopalong Cassidy - Bearcat SmithThe Adventures of Kit Carson - Todd WeaverThe Cisco Kid - Sheriff / Alan Moxley / Brace HaggarClimax! - Ben BerryThe Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok - Warner Laughton / PintoLux Video Theatre - Len TollardStories of the Century - Henchman HuckThe Man Behind the Badge - Floyd / CaretakerTales of the Texas Rangers - Sheriff Screen Directors Playhouse - 4th FarmerTelephone Time - EdThe Adventures of Jim Bowie - SettlerWest Point - Amby BrackenCavalcade of America - StanRed Ryder - SheriffSheriff of Cochise - Charlie DesmondScience Fiction Theatre - BudCircus Boy - Ben Otis / Sheriff / GusAdventures of Superman - MikeThe Ford Television Theatre - Mr. HarrisCasey Jones - Sam Peterson Highway Patrol - Pete Burgess / Joe ValentineBroken Arrow - RobertsFrom These Roots - Dan Fraser Northwest Passage - Mercer The Californians - Roadhouse Proprietor / TurnkeyLassie - Amos LovejoyWanted: Dead or Alive - Stableman Overland Trail - Miner Wichita Town - SaltyBat Masterson - S2E21 "Cattle and Canes" as Rancher Ben TaylorThe Texan - Mulligan / Sheriff DawsonThriller - DoctorGeneral Electric Theater - SheriffThe Deputy - Joab Sharpe / Sheriff WilksTwilight Zone - Man #2 Sugarfoot Cowhand / KennedyThe Rebel - Corby Maverick - Poe / StablemanThe Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp - Zack Burton / Townsman / Witness / Judge Norton / Wilkins - Second Prisoner in LineBat Masterson - Sheriff Bart Sloane / Ben TaylorCheckmate - ManWalt Disney's Wonderful World of Color - Storekeeper / William Ryan / Deputy Outlaws - Wagon Driver Sea Hunt - Sheriff Wyatt WalshCheyenne - ManRawhide - Sheriff of Elkville / WindyTales of Wells Fargo - Pete the Bartender / Matt Gray / Nedy West / Miner Who QuitLaramie - Pa Tilford / Stagecoach Driver / Pop - Telegrapher / Man of God / TownsmanHave Gun - Will Travel - Sam - HenchmanThe Rifleman - Russell / Cowboy on TrailWagon Train - Taggert / Wagon Driver / Joe LassiterRipcord - Mr. Ledbetter / Replaced / SimmonsDestry - Stableman Flipper - Captain BenderBob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre - FredThe Beverly Hillbillies - ManPetticoat Junction - Homer Overstreet / 1st JurorGreen Acres - ManBonanza - Townsman #2 / Stableman / Weems / Tom / Stableman / Simms / Station Agent / Zeke JacksonThe Name of the Game - Sheriff PrentissThe High Chaparral - Dirt Smith / Sheriff Prentiss / Bob WillisThe Virginian - Conductor / Stableman / Baggage Man / Edwards / FoxAdam-12 - BennyGunsmoke - Oldtimer / Stocker / Attendant / Bartender / Dan - Bartender / AinsleyBarnaby Jones Mannix - Steve