John Alderson (actor)


John Bramwell Alderson was an English actor noted for playing the lead in the 1957–58 syndicated western television series, Boots and Saddles, which ran for thirty-eight episodes in a single season, and many supporting roles in films in a career spanning almost forty years, from 1951 to 1990.
Alderson was cast as the rugged trail guide Hugh Glass, an historical figure, in the 1966 episode "Hugh Glass Meets the Bear" of the syndicated series, Death Valley Days. Others in the episode were Morgan Woodward as Thomas Fitzpatrick, Victor French as Louis Baptiste and Tris Coffin.

Biography

Alderson was born to a mining family in the village of Horden, County Durham, England. After a brief teenage career at the colliery he opted to instead join the Royal Artillery, rising to the rank of Major. Upon leaving the services he married a United States citizen and immigrated to the US, where he began his acting career.

Filmography

Selected television appearances

Gunsmoke – NashAlfred Hitchcock Presents – AttendantAlfred Hitchcock Presents – Inspector KarsiakWalt Disney's Wonderful World of Color – Sergeant Duncan MacGregor / Sergeant McDonaldYancy Derringer – Marble FingersBlack Saddle – Big Sam DavisLawman – Jack BraceBorder Patrol – CurleyColt.45 – CaptainHudson's Bay – BoggsAdventures in Paradise – Sean Casey / Darcy / Palsson / Harry PineFollow the Sun – Mervin TaggertHave Gun – Will Travel – Rusty Doggett / Max ClayMaverick – Simon Girty / Captain Bly / Zindler / Ben ChapmanTales of Wells Fargo – Gage / Clay ArvinBronco – Francis RandolphGoing My Way – Mr. LarkinGunsmoke – Canby / Ab Laster / NashArrest and Trial – BartenderThe Alfred Hitchcock Hour – The 3rd GuardCombat! – Sergeant RawlingsThe Rogues – BillBonanza – Hugh Gwylnedd / MontagueBlue Light – Gorlek / GorleckDoctor Who – Wyatt EarpDeath Valley Days – John Tunstall / Hank Butterford / Hugh Glass / Joe Meek / Big Mac Time Tunnel – Season 1 Episode 16 – The Revenge of Robin Hood as Little JohnThe Wild Wild West – Clive MarchmountThe Guns of Will Sonnett – SheriffMission: Impossible – FolletThe Persuaders! – Kyle SandorRod Serling's Night Gallery – Granger Philip Marlowe, Private Eye – Gaff Talley
In 1966, the first four episodes of Blue Light were edited together to create the theatrical film I Deal in Danger. Alderson's Blue Light appearance was included in the film.