Sam Gilman


Sam Gilman was an American film and television actor. He was perhaps best known for playing Harvey Johnson in the 1961 film One-Eyed Jacks.

Life and career

Gilman was born in Salem, Massachusetts. He worked as a cartoonist on comic books for the comic book packager Funnies Inc., from the 1930s to the 1940s.
His acting career started in 1950 with an appearance in the film The Men. Other films Gilman appeared in included Sometimes a Great Notion, PT 109, The Shadow on the Window, Away All Boats, The Missouri Breaks, One-Eyed Jacks, Wild Rovers, The Last Hard Men, Full of Life and Macon County Line.
In 1966, he joined the regular cast of the new ABC western television series Shane, playing bartender Sam Grafton. Gilman also guest-starred in television programs such as Gunsmoke, Tales of Wells Fargo, 77 Sunset Strip, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Big Valley, Route 66, Star Trek: The Original Series, Ben Casey, Mannix, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Fugitive, The Guns of Will Sonnett, Outlaws, The Waltons, The Untouchables and Have Gun, Will Travel.
Gilman also worked as an acting coach, helping actors with performing.
His final film credit was for the 1982 film National Lampoon's Movie Madness.

Personal life and death

Gilman had a close friendship with actor Marlon Brando.
Gilman married Lisabeth Hush on January 26, 1962, in Los Angeles. They adopted a son, and they divorced in 1968. Gilman died on December 3, 1985, in North Hollywood, California, at the age of 70.

Selected filmography

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Policeman
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Fire Captain Frank
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Charlie
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Squad Car Officer
  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour as Lieutenant Shapiro
  • Star Trek as Doc Holliday