George Glenn Strange (August 16, 1899 – September 20, 1973) was an American actor who appeared in hundreds of

Western films The Western is a film genre defined by the American Film Institute as films which are "set in the American West that mbodythe spirit, the struggle, and the demise of the Frontier Thesis, new frontier." Generally set in the American frontier b ...

. He played Sam Noonan, the bartender on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

's ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

'' television series, and

Frankenstein's monster Frankenstein's monster, commonly referred to as Frankenstein, is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel '' Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' as its main antagonist. Shelley's title compares the monster's ...

in three

Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company that is a subsidiary of Comcast ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of N ...

films during the 1940s.

Early life

Strange was born in Weed, New Mexico Territory,Raw, Laurence (2012)
"Glenn Strange"
, ''Character Actors in Horror and Science Fiction Films, 1930–1960'' (Jefferson, North Carolina:

McFarland & Company McFarland & Company, Inc., is an American independent book publisher based in Jefferson, North Carolina, that specializes in academic An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of tert ...

, 2012), p. 175. Retrieved October 29, 2017. the fourth child of William Russell Strange and the former Sarah Eliza Byrd. An eighth-generation grandson of

Pocahontas Pocahontas (, ; born Amonute, also known as Matoaka and Rebecca Rolfe; 1596 – March 1617) was a Native American woman belonging to the Powhatan people, notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. S ...

and

John Rolfe John Rolfe ( – March 1622) was an English explorer, farmer and merchant. He is best known for being the husband of Pocahontas and the first settler in the colony of Virginia to successfully cultivate a tobacco crop for export. He played a ...

through his maternal grandfather, he was also a cousin of actors

Rex Allen Rex Elvie Allen Sr. (December 31, 1920 – December 17, 1999), known as "The Arizona Cowboy", was an American film and television actor, singer and songwriter; he was also the narrator of many Disney nature and Western productions. For his cont ...

and

Lee 'Lasses' White Lee may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Lee'' (2007 film), Tamil-language sports action film * ''Lee'' (2017 film), Kannada-language action film * ''Lee'' (2023 film), biographical drama about Lee Miller, American photojournalist * ''L ...

. Of Irish and

Cherokee The Cherokee (; , or ) people are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Prior to the 18th century, they were concentrated in their homelands, in towns along river valleys of what is now southwestern ...

ancestry through his father, he spoke Cherokee until he was about 13 years old, but in 1972 he said, "since that time I've had nobody to speak it with, so I've lost it."Witbeck, Charles, The Man Behind the Bar, ''Richmond Times-Dispatch'', August 20, 1972, page 102
/ref> He grew up on a ranch, and left school after eighth grade, for his father thought he had enough education to work with cattle. When he was 12 he began playing the

fiddle A fiddle is a Bow (music), bowed String instrument, string musical instrument, most often a violin or a bass. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres, including European classical music, classical music. Althou ...

at local dances. In 1928 he began performing music on an

El Paso, Texas El Paso (; ; or ) is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States. The 2020 United States census, 2020 population of the city from the United States Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau was 678,815, making it the List of ...

radio station. Another early job was

heavyweight boxing Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling. Boxing Professional Male boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation an ...

, which caused some "cauliflower" damage to his right ear. Glenn had a close relationship with his cousin Taylor "Cactus Mack" McPeters, who has born one week apart from him. The two would frequently work together in both their acting and music careers. Strange competed in the

Hoot Gibson Edmund Richard "Hoot" Gibson (August 6, 1892 – August 23, 1962) was an American rodeo champion, film actor, film director, and producer. While acting and stunt work began as a sideline to Gibson's focus on rodeo, he successfully transitioned ...

rodeo, but was injured when a horse fell on him. After the injury Gibson looked after him, and Strange began playing outlaws in Gibson's Western films.

Career

For much of Strange's acting career most of his roles were playing "bad guys".Bob Foight, 'Monster' Stops Here to Visit Relatives, ''The Amarillo Globe-Times'', September 24, 1948, page 20
/ref> Because he could handle a

stagecoach A stagecoach (also: stage coach, stage, road coach, ) is a four-wheeled public transport coach used to carry paying passengers and light packages on journeys long enough to need a change of horses. It is strongly sprung and generally drawn by ...

with six horses hitched up, he was often cast as a stagecoach driver. He had roles in 300 films and 500 television episodes. In 1932 he had a minor role as part of the Wrecker's gang in a 12-part serial, ''

The Hurricane Express ''The Hurricane Express'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code 12-chapter Mascot Pictures serial (film), film serial. Written by Colbert Clark, Barney Sarecky, Wyndham Gittens, George Morgan (screenwriter), George Morgan, and J.P. McGowan, the serial w ...

'', starring

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...

. He played numerous small parts in Paramount's popular ''Hopalong Cassidy'' film series, usually cast as a member of an outlaw's gang and occasionally as a local sheriff. In 1943, he played a badman in the Hopalong Cassidy movie '' False Colors''. He played the killer Naylor Rand in the 1948 film '' Red River''. Beginning in 1949, he portrayed Butch Cavendish, the villain responsible for killing all but one of the Texas Rangers in the long-running television series ''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a ...

''. Strange appeared twice as Jim Wade on Bill Williams's syndicated Western series geared to juvenile audiences ''

The Adventures of Kit Carson ''The Adventures of Kit Carson'' is an American Westerns on television, Western television series that aired from 1951 to 1955 and consisted of 104 episodes. While airing, the show was shown in over 130 markets and was sold to the Coca-Cola Bott ...

''. He also appeared twice as Blake in the syndicated Western ''

The Cisco Kid The Cisco Kid is a fictional character found in numerous film, radio, television and comic book series based on the fictional Western character created by O. Henry in his 1907 short story "The Caballero's Way", published in ''Everybody's Maga ...

''. In 1952, he was cast in the role of Chief Black Cloud in the episode "Indian War Party" of the syndicated ''

The Range Rider ''The Range Rider'' is an American Western television series that was first broadcast in syndication from 1951 to 1952. A single lost episode surfaced and was broadcast in 1959. In 1954, the BBC purchased rights to show the program in the UK . ...

''. In 1954, Strange played Sheriff Billy Rowland in Jim Davis's syndicated Western series ''

Stories of the Century ''Stories of the Century'' is a 39-episode Western (genre), Western historical fiction television series starring Jim Davis (actor), Jim Davis that ran in Broadcast syndication, syndication through Republic Pictures between 1954 and 1955. Synop ...

''. Strange appeared six times in 1956 in multiple roles on

Edgar Buchanan William Edgar Buchanan II (March 20, 1903 – April 4, 1979) was an American actor with a long career in both film and television. He is most familiar today as Uncle Joe Carson from the '' Petticoat Junction'', '' Green Acres'', and '' The Bever ...

's syndicated ''

Judge Roy Bean Phantly Roy Bean Jr. (c. 1825 – March 16, 1903) was an American saloon-keeper and Justice of the Peace in Val Verde County, Texas, who called himself "The Only Law West of the Pecos". According to legend, he held court in his saloon along ...

''. That same year, Strange appeared in an uncredited role as the sheriff in Silver Rapids in the Western movie '' The Fastest Gun Alive'' starring

Glenn Ford Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford (May 1, 1916 – August 30, 2006), known as Glenn Ford, was a Canadian-born American actor. He was most prominent during Classical Hollywood cinema, Hollywood's Golden Age as one of the biggest box-office draws of th ...

. In 1958, he had a minor part in an episode of John Payne's ''

The Restless Gun ''The Restless Gun'' is an American Westerns on television, Western television series that appeared on NBC between 1957 and 1959, with John Payne (actor), John Payne in the role of Vint Bonner, a wandering cowboy in the era after the American Ci ...

'', and had an important role in the 1958 episode "Chain Gang" of the Western series ''

26 Men ''26 Men'' is a syndicated American Western television series about the Arizona Rangers, a law-enforcement group limited to 26 active members. By March 1958, the program was carried on 158 stations in the United States. The program was also bro ...

'', true stories about the

Arizona Rangers The Arizona Rangers are a non-commissioned civilian auxiliary that supports law enforcement in the state of Arizona. In 2002, the modern-day Arizona Rangers were officially recognized by the State of Arizona when the Legislature passed Arizona ...

. That same year, he played rancher Pat Cafferty, who faces the threat of

anthrax Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Bacillus anthracis'' or ''Bacillus cereus'' biovar ''anthracis''. Infection typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption. Symptom onset occurs between one ...

, in the episode "Queen of the Cimarron" of the syndicated Western series, ''

Frontier Doctor ''Frontier Doctor'' is an American Western television series starring Rex Allen that aired in syndication from September 26, 1958, until June 20, 1959. The series was also known as ''Unarmed'' and ''Man of the West''.TV Guide Guide to TV. Bar ...

''. Strange appeared in six episodes of ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television series starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show ...

'' playing the same role in different variations: Cole, the stagecoach driver, in "Duel of Honor"; a stagecoach shotgun guard in "The Dead-eye Kid"; Joey, a stagecoach driver in "The Woman"; and an unnamed stagecoach driver in "The Blowout", "The Spiked Rifle", and "Miss Bertie". Strange had parts in the

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

Western ''

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp ''The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp'' is the first Western television series written for adults.Annie Oakley Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey; August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926) was an American marksman, sharpshooter and folk heroine who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West. Oakley developed hunting skills as a child to provide for her impoveris ...

'', ''

Buffalo Bill, Jr. ''Buffalo Bill, Jr.'' is a half-hour Western television series that aired in syndication starting in March 1955. The last new episode was broadcast in September 1956. The series was produced by Gene Autry's Flying A Productions, and distributed ...

'', ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the ...

'' and other Western television series.David R. Greenland, ''The Gunsmoke Chronicles'' (ebook, no page numbers), Bear Manor Media, 2013
/ref> He played an Indian Chief in "Rawhide" S2 E8 "Incident of the Haunted Hills" which aired 11/5/1959.

Gunsmoke

He first appeared on ''Gunsmoke'' in 1960 after

James Arness James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, 1923 – June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the series ''Gunsmoke''. He has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in f ...

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 on 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".

Frankenstein

In 1944, while Strange was being made up for an action film at Universal, make-up artist Jack Pierce noticed that Strange's facial features and 6'4" height would be appropriate for the role of

. Strange was cast in the 1944 film '' House of Frankenstein'' in the role first played by

Boris Karloff William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), known professionally as Boris Karloff () and occasionally billed as Karloff the Uncanny, was a British actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film ''Frankenstei ...

in ''

Frankenstein ''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' is an 1818 Gothic novel written by English author Mary Shelley. ''Frankenstein'' tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a Sapience, sapient Frankenstein's monster, crea ...

'' (1931), coached by Karloff personally after hours. Karloff later said he was dissatisfied with Strange's performances as the monster, commenting, "Well, he wasn't as lucky as I was. I got the cream of it, being the first. I know I wished him lots of luck... hoping it would do as much for him as it did for me, but..." Previously to ''House of Frankenstein'', Strange starred as Petro, who is turned into a wolf-monster by

George Zucco George Zucco (11 January 1886 – 27 May 1960) was a British character actor who appeared in plays and 96 films, mostly American-made, during a career spanning over two decades, from the 1920s to 1951. In his films, he often played a suave vill ...

, in ''

The Mad Monster ''The Mad Monster'' is a 1942 American black and white horror film, produced and distributed by "Poverty Row" studio Producers Releasing Corporation. The film stars George Zucco, Glenn Strange, Johnny Downs, and Anne Nagel. The film's storyline ...

'' (1943). Another role in a horror film was in 1944's ''

The Monster Maker ''The Monster Maker'' is a 1944 science-fiction horror film starring J. Carrol Naish and Ralph Morgan. Albert Glasser supplied the film score, his first, an assignment for which he was paid US$250. Plot Dr. Markoff (J. Carrol Naish) has concoc ...

''. He also appeared as "The Giant" in the mystery film ''

The Black Raven ''The Black Raven'' is a 1943 American mystery film directed by Sam Newfield. It was produced and released by Producers Releasing Corporation, a leading Poverty Row studio. Plot A heavy storm catches everybody, nearly all with good reasons for ...

'' (1943). Strange reprised the role of Frankenstein's monster in ''

House of Dracula ''House of Dracula'' is a 1945 American horror film released and distributed by Universal Pictures. Directed by Erle C. Kenton, the film features several Universal Horror properties meeting as they had done in the 1944 film '' House of Franke ...

'' (1945). Strange played the monster a third time in ''

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein ''Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein'' is a 1948 American horror comedy film directed by Charles Barton (director), Charles Barton. The film features Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), who has partnered with Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert) in or ...

'' (1948); as in his first two Frankenstein films, he shared the spotlight with

Lon Chaney Jr. Creighton Tull Chaney (February10, 1906 – July12, 1973), known by his stage name Lon Chaney Jr., was an American actor known for playing Larry Talbot in the film '' The Wolf Man'' (1941) and its various crossovers, Count Alucard (Dracula ...

as the Wolf Man, but this time

John Carradine John Carradine ( ; born Richmond Reed Carradine; February 5, 1906 – November 27, 1988) was an American actor, considered one of the greatest character actors in American cinema. He was a member of Cecil B. DeMille's stock company and later J ...

was replaced by

Bela Lugosi Blaskó Béla Ferenc Dezső (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), better known by the stage name Bela Lugosi ( ; ), was a Hungarian–American actor. He was best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the horror film classic Dracula (19 ...

, in his second screen appearance as

Count Dracula Count Dracula () is the title character of Bram Stoker's 1897 gothic horror novel ''Dracula''. He is considered the prototypical and archetypal vampire in subsequent works of fiction. Aspects of the character are believed by some to have been i ...

. Strange later described working on ''Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein'' as one of his most fun movie-making experiences. Strange also appeared in character with

Lou Costello Louis Francis Cristillo (March 6, 1906 – March 3, 1959), better known as Lou Costello, was an American comedian, actor and producer. He was best known for his double act with Bud Abbott and their routine " Who's on First?". Abbott and Cos ...

in a haunted house skit on ''

The Colgate Comedy Hour ''The Colgate Comedy Hour'' is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show featured many notable comedians and entertainers of the era as guest stars. Many of the scripts of the serie ...

'' and made a gag publicity appearance as a masked flagpole-sitter for a local Los Angeles TV show in the 1950s. After weeks of the station teasing the public about the sitter's identity, Strange removed his mask and revealed himself as Frankenstein's monster (actually, yet another mask). Strange also played a monster in the Bowery Boys horror-comedy '' Master Minds'' in 1949, mimicking the brain-transplanted

Huntz Hall Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall (August 15, 1920 – January 30, 1999) was an American radio, stage, and movie performer who appeared in the popular "Dead End Kids" movies, including ''Angels with Dirty Faces'' (1938), and in the later "The Bowe ...

's frantic comedy movements, with Hall providing his own dubbed voice. He was offered the part of the Creature in ''

Creature from the Black Lagoon ''Creature from the Black Lagoon'' is a 1954 American black-and-white 3D monster horror film produced by William Alland and directed by Jack Arnold, from a screenplay by Harry Essex and Arthur Ross and a story by Maurice Zimm. It stars ...

'', but turned it down because he found the costume heavy and claustrophobic. Strange and Chaney became good friends while working on films together, and Strange spoke at Chaney's funeral in July 1973, despite being seriously ill from the cancer that would end his own life two months later. During the wave of monster-related merchandising in the late 1950s and 1960s, Glenn Strange's iconic image often was used for the monster on toys, games, and paraphernalia, most often from his appearance in the Abbott and Costello film. In 1969, ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' mistakenly published Boris Karloff's obituary with Glenn Strange's picture as the Frankenstein monster.

Death

On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged ...

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. 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.

Selected filmography

*'' Shotgun Pass'' (1931) – Pee Wee (uncredited) *''

Cavalier of the West ''Cavalier of the West'' is a 1931 American Western film written and directed by John P. McCarthy. Distributed by State Rights, Weiss Bros. and Artclass Pictures Corp., the film was released in the US on November 15, 1931, and marked the acting ...

'' (1931) – Trooper (uncredited) *''

The Gay Buckaroo ''The Gay Buckaroo'' is a 1932 American pre-Code Western film, directed by Phil Rosen. It stars Hoot Gibson, Merna Kennedy, and Roy D'Arcy, and was released on January 17, 1932. Plot Cowboy Hale and gambler Dumont are both in love with Field. ...

'' (1931) – Barfly (uncredited) *'' Single-Handed Sanders'' (1932) – Gang Leader (uncredited) *'' The Texas Tornado'' (1932) – Rustler (uncredited) *'' Riders of the Desert'' (1932) – Singing Ranger (uncredited) *'' Cowboy Counsellor'' (1932) – Stage Driver (uncredited) *''

Five Bad Men ''Five Bad Men'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Clifford S. Smith, starring Noah Beery Jr., Bill Patton, and Jay Wilsey. Plot Cast * Noah Beery Jr. as Gene Taggart * Bill Patton as Bad man * Jay Wilsey (credited as Buffalo ...

'' (1935) – Radio Buckaroo (uncredited) *'' Cyclone of the Saddle'' (1935) – Singer / Fiddler / Townsman (uncredited) *''

His Fighting Blood ''His Fighting Blood'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by John English and starring Kermit Maynard, Polly Ann Young and Paul Fix.Goble p.102 It was produced on Poverty Row as a second feature. The film's sets were designed by the art ...

'' (1935) – Singing Constable (uncredited) *''

Suicide Squad The Suicide Squad is an antihero/supervillain team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version of the Suicide Squad debuted in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #25 (September 1959) and the second and modern version, cre ...

'' (1935) – Singing Fireman (uncredited) *''

Flash Gordon Flash Gordon is the protagonist of a space adventure comic strip created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by, and created to compete with, the already established ''Buck Rogers'' ...

'' (1936, Serial) – Robot / Ming's Soldier / Gocko (uncredited) *''

Trailin' West ''Trailin' West'' (UK title: ''On Secret Service'') is a 1936 American Western film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by Anthony Coldeway and starring Dick Foran, Paula Stone, and Wild Bill Elliott. Plot In 1864, President Abraham Lin ...

'' (1936) – Tim – Henchman / Trooper (uncredited) *''A Tenderfoot Goes West'' (1936) – Cowhand Butch *''

Song of the Gringo ''Song of the Gringo'' is a 1936 American Western (genre), Western film directed by John P. McCarthy. The film is also known as ''The Old Corral'' in the United Kingdom. The film was the debut of singing cowboy Tex Ritter. It was co-written by f ...

'' (1936) – Henchman Blackie (uncredited) *''

Guns of the Pecos A gun is a device that propels a projectile using pressure or explosive force. The projectiles are typically solid, but can also be pressurized liquid (e.g. in water guns or cannons), or gas (e.g. light-gas gun). Solid projectiles may be fr ...

'' (1937) – Wedding Groom / Rustler (uncredited) *'' Arizona Days'' (1937) – Henchman Pete *''

Trouble in Texas ''Trouble in Texas'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury (as R.N. Bradbury) and starring Tex Ritter, his horse White Flash, Rita Hayworth (billed as "Rita Cansino") and Yakima Canutt. The supporting cast features Earl ...

'' (1937) – Middleton Sheriff *''

The Cherokee Strip ''The Cherokee Strip'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by Luci Ward and Joseph K. Watson. The film stars Dick Foran, Jane Bryan, Robert Paige, Joan Valerie, Edmund Cobb and Joseph Crehan. The film was re ...

'' (1937) – Harry, Fiddle Player and Band Leader (uncredited) *'' The Fighting Texan'' (1937) – Brand-Changing Henchman (uncredited) *'' Blazing Sixes'' (1937) – Peewee Jones *'' Mountain Music'' (1937) – Singing Hillbilly (uncredited) *''

Empty Holsters ''Empty Holsters'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and written by John T. Neville. The film stars Dick Foran, Patricia Walthall, Emmett Vogan, Glenn Strange, Anderson Lawler and Wilfred Lucas. The film was release ...

'' (1937) – Tex Roberts *'' Riders of the Dawn'' (1937) – Posse Member (uncredited) *'' The Devil's Saddle Legion'' (1937) – Peewee *'' God's Country and the Man'' (1937) – Sheriff Joe (uncredited) *'' Stars Over Arizona'' (1937) – Bruce Cole (uncredited) *'' Danger Valley'' (1937) – Marshal Dale (uncredited) *'' The Painted Trail'' (1938) – Sheriff Ed *'' The Last Stand'' (1938) – Henchman Joe *'' Whirlwind Horseman'' (1938) – Bull – Henchman *'' Six Shootin' Sheriff'' (1938) – Kendal Henchman (uncredited) *''

Black Bandit ''Black Bandit'' is a 1938 American Western film written and directed by George Waggner. The film stars Bob Baker, Marjorie Reynolds, Wally Wales, Jack Rockwell, Forrest Taylor and Glenn Strange. The film was released on September 16, 1938 ...

'' (1938) – Luke Johnson *''

Guilty Trails ''Guilty Trails'' is a 1938 American Western film written and directed by George Waggner. The film stars Bob Baker, Marjorie Reynolds, Wally Wales, Georgia O'Dell, Jack Rockwell and Carleton Young. The film was released on October 21, 1938 ...

'' (1938) – New Sheriff *''

Prairie Justice ''Prairie Justice'' is a 1938 American Western "B" movie directed by George Waggner and starring Bob Baker as a singing cowboy. Plot Baker plays an undercover marshall investigating a series of stage coach robberies. After his father is kille ...

'' (1938) – Hank Haynes – Express Agent *'' Gun Packer'' (1938) – Sheriff *''

The Phantom Stage ''The Phantom Stage'' is a 1939 American musical Western film – a "B" movie – directed by George Waggner and starring Bob Baker as a singing cowboy. Plot Bob Carson and his sidekick Grizzly hear that a stagecoach owned by Mary is being my ...

'' (1939) – Sheriff *'' The Night Riders'' (1939) – Angry Riverboat Gambler (uncredited) *''

Blue Montana Skies ''Blue Montana Skies'' is a 1939 American Western (genre), Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and June Storey. Based on a story by Norman S. Hall and Paul Franklin, the film is about a singing cowb ...

'' (1939) – Bob Causer *'' Across the Plains'' (1939) – Jeff Masters *'' Oklahoma Terror'' (1939) – Ross Haddon *''

Overland Mail Butterfield Overland Mail (officially Overland Mail Company)Waterman L. Ormsby, edited by Lyle H. Wright and Josephine M. Bynum, "The Butterfield Overland Mail", The Huntington Library, San Marino, California, 1991. was a stagecoach service in ...

'' (1939) – Sheriff Dawson *'' Pioneer Days'' (1940) – Sheriff *'' Rhythm of the Rio Grande'' (1940) – Sheriff Hays *''

Covered Wagon Trails ''Covered Wagon Trails'' is a 1940 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Raymond K. Johnson, starring Jack Randall (actor), Jack Randall, Sally Cairns and Lafe McKee. Plot When Jack Cameron's brother, Ed, is killed on his way to ...

'' (1940) – Henchman Fletcher *'' Pals of the Silver Sage'' (1940) – Vic Insley *''

The Cowboy from Sundown ''The Cowboy from Sundown'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and written by Roland Lynch and Robert Emmett Tansey. The film stars Tex Ritter, Roscoe Ates, Carleton Young, George Pembroke, Patsy Moran and Pauline ...

'' (1940) – Bret Stockton *''

Land of the Six Guns ''Land of the Six Guns'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Raymond K. Johnson and written by Carl Krusada. The film stars Jack Randall, Louise Stanley, Frank LaRue, Glenn Strange, Bud Osborne and George Chesebro. The film was release ...

'' (1940) – Manny *''

Three Men from Texas 3 (three) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number following 2 and preceding 4, and is the smallest odd prime number and the only prime preceding a square number. It has religious and cultural significance in many societies ...

'' (1940) – Ben Stokes *'' The San Francisco Docks'' (1940) – Mike *'' The Bandit Trail'' (1941) – gang member (uncredited) *''

The Kid's Last Ride ''The Kid's Last Ride'' is a 1941 American western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by Earle Snell. The film is the fifth in Monogram Pictures' " Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" King as ...

'' (1941) – Bart Gill, aka Ike Breeden *''

Fugitive Valley ''Fugitive Valley'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby. The film is the eighth in Monogram Pictures' " Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" King as Dusty and Max "Alibi" Terhune ...

'' (1941) – Gray *''

Billy the Kid Wanted ''Billy the Kid Wanted'' is a 1941 American western film directed by Sam Newfield. This film is the seventh in the "Billy the Kid" film series produced by PRC from 1940 to 1946, and the first starring Buster Crabbe as Billy the Kid, replacing ...

'' (1941) – Matt Brawley *'' The Driftin' Kid'' (1941) – Jeff Payson *''

Lone Star Law Men ''Lone Star Law Men'' is a 1941 American western film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey and written by Robert Emmett Tansey and Frances Kavanaugh. The film stars Tom Keene, Frank Yaconelli, Betty Miles, Sugar Dawn, Gene Alsace and Glenn Stran ...

'' (1941) – Marshal Scott *''

Billy the Kid's Round-Up Billy may refer to: * Billy (name), a name (and list of people with the name) * Billy (surname), a surname (and list of people with the surname) Animals * Billy (dog), a dog breed * Billy (pigeon), awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945 * Billy ...

'' (1941) – Vic Landreau *''

The Lone Rider and the Bandit ''The Lone Rider and the Bandit'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Sam Robins. The film stars George F. Houston as the Lone Rider, Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones and Dennis Moore as Sheriff Sm ...

'' (1942) – Luke Miller *''

Overland Stagecoach ''Overland Stagecoach'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Robert Livingston as the Lone Rider, Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, and Dennis Moore as Sheriff Smoky Moo ...

'' (1942) – Harlen Kent *'' Western Mail'' (1942) – Sheriff Big Bill Collins *'' Stagecoach Buckaroo'' (1942) – Breck Braddock *''Raiders of the West'' (1942) – Hank Reynolds *''

Sundown Jim ''Sundown Jim'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by James Tinling, written by William Bruckner and Robert F. Metzler, and starring John Kimbrough, Virginia Gilmore, Arleen Whelan, Joe Sawyer, Paul Hurst and Moroni Olsen. It was released ...

'' (1942) – Henchman (uncredited) *''

Sunset on the Desert ''Sunset on the Desert'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers, and George "Gabby" Hayes. Plot Cast *Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers / Deputy Bill Sloan *George "Gabby" Hayes as Gabby Whittaker *Lynne C ...

'' (1942) – Deputy Louie Meade *'' Rolling Down the Great Divide'' (1942) – Joe Duncan *''

Boot Hill Bandits ''Boot Hill Bandits'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby. The film is the fourteenth in the Monogram Pictures produced " Range Busters" series. It stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" King as Dusty and Ma ...

'' (1942) – The Maverick *'' Romance on the Range'' (1942) – Stokes *''

Texas Trouble Shooters ''Texas Trouble Shooters'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by Arthur Hoerl. The film is the fifteenth in Monogram Pictures' " Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" ...

'' (1942) – Roger Denby *''

'' (1942) – Harlen Kent *''

Billy the Kid Trapped ''Billy the Kid Trapped'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. Plot Imprisoned and sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit, Billy, Fuzzy and Jeff break out of jail. The three escapees discover that there are thr ...

'' (1942) – Boss Stanton *''

Army Surgeon ''Army Surgeon'' is a 1942 American film directed by A. Edward Sutherland and starring Jane Wyatt and Kent Taylor. The plot is about a female surgeon who pretends to be a nurse so she can serve on the front line during World War I.

'' (1942) – Soldier Having Discussion with Brooklyn (uncredited) *''

Little Joe, the Wrangler ''Little Joe, the Wrangler'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Lewis D. Collins and written by Sherman L. Lowe and Elizabeth Beecher. The film stars Johnny Mack Brown, Tex Ritter, Fuzzy Knight, Jennifer Holt, Florine McKinney and J ...

'' (1942) – Jeff Corey *''

The Kid Rides Again ''The Kid Rides Again'' is a 1943 American western directed by Sam Newfield. The film was one of the Billy the Kid (film series), Billy the Kid (film series by Producers Releasing Corporation. It was Iris Meredith's last credited feature film ...

'' (1943) – Henchman Tom Slade *''

Haunted Ranch ''Haunted Ranch'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey. The film is the twentieth in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars John "Dusty" King as Dusty, "Davy" Sharpe and Max "Alibi" Terhune, with ...

'' (1943) – Rance Austin *''

Black Market Rustlers ''Black Market Rustlers'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and written by Patricia Harper. The film is the twenty-third in Monogram Pictures' "Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Dusty, Dennis M ...

'' (1943) – Corbin *''

Cattle Stampede ''Cattle Stampede'' is a 1943 American Producers Releasing Corporation Western film of the "Billy the Kid" series directed by Sam Newfield. Plot Pursued through Arizona by a gang of outlaws turned bounty hunters for the massive reward on Bill ...

'' (1943) – Stone *''

Bullets and Saddles ''Bullets and Saddles'' is a 1943 American Western film produced by Monogram Pictures Corporation shot at Corriganville. The film is the twenty-fourth and final entry in Monogram Pictures' " Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corri ...

'' (1943) – Jack Hammond *''

Western Cyclone ''Western Cyclone'' is a 1943 American Producers Releasing Corporation Western (genre), Western film of the Billy the Kid (film series), "Billy the Kid" series directed by Sam Newfield. The film is also known as ''Frontier Fighters'' (cut Amer ...

'' (1943) – Dirk Randall *''

'' (1943) – Andy *''

'' (1943) – Petro / wolfman *''

Action in the North Atlantic ''Action in the North Atlantic'' is a 1943 American war film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Jerry Wald, directed by Lloyd Bacon, and adapted by John Howard Lawson from a story by Guy Gilpatric. The film stars Humphrey Bogart and R ...

'' (1943) - Jake (uncredited) *''

'' (1944) – Giant / Steve *''

Valley of Vengeance ''Valley of Vengeance'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Evelyn Finley, Donald Mayo, David Polonsky and Glenn Strange. The film was released o ...

'' (1944) – Marshal Barker *''

Harmony Trail ''Harmony Trail'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey and starring Ken Maynard, Eddie Dean and Ruth Roman.Pitts p.144 Its early distribution was limited, and it was given a fuller release in 1947 by Astor Pictures u ...

'' (1944) – Marshal Taylor *'' House of Frankenstein'' (1944) – Frankenstein Monster *''

'' (1945) – Frankenstein Monster *''

The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap ''The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap'' is a 1947 American comedy western film directed by Charles Barton and starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello alongside Marjorie Main and Audrey Young. It was released on October 8 and distributed b ...

'' (1947) – Lefty *''

Sinbad the Sailor Sinbad the Sailor (; or Sindbad) is a fictional mariner and the hero of a Literary cycle, story-cycle. He is described as hailing from Baghdad during the early Abbasid Caliphate (8th and 9th centuries A.D.). In the course of seven voyages thr ...

'' – Chief Galley Overseer (uncredited) *''

'' (1948) – Frankenstein Monster *'' Comin' Round the Mountain'' (1951) – Devil Dan Winfield

Television

References

External links

*
''Glenn Strange, the B western villain''

* "United States

Social Security Death Index The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) was a database of death records created from the United States Social Security Administration's Death Master File until 2014. Since 2014, public access to the updated Death Master File has been via the Limit ...

," database,

FamilySearch FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization and website offering genealogical records, education, and software. It is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is part of the Church's Family History Department (FHD). The Fami ...

(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JT41-TQ9 : May 19, 2014), Glenn Strange, Sep 1973; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
Glenn Strange appears on Abbott and Costello's television program
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Strange, Glenn 1899 births 1973 deaths Male Western (genre) film actors American male film actors Ranchers from New Mexico American male television actors People from Otero County, New Mexico Male actors from New Mexico People from Brown County, Texas Male actors from Texas 20th-century American male actors Western (genre) television actors Deaths from lung cancer in California Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) 20th-century American singers 20th-century American male singers American people who self-identify as being of Cherokee descent American people of Irish descent