John Cason (actor)
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John Lacy Cason (July 30, 1918 – July 7, 1961), also credited as Bob Cason and John L. Cason, was an American actor active in both films and television. During his 20-year career he appeared in over 200 films and television shows. He is best known for his work on the television program ''
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 ...
'', where he appeared in several roles from 1951 to 1953.


Life and career

Cason was born on July 30, 1918, in Valley View, Texas. He made his film debut, as a fighter in the 1941 classic
Abbott and Costello Abbott and Costello were an American comedy duo composed of comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, whose work in radio, film, and television made them the most popular comedy team of the 1940s and 1950s, and the highest-paid entertainers in t ...
comedy, '' Buck Privates''. Cason was often cast as the bad guy, or henchman during his career, as in 1952's '' Black Hills Ambush''. Most of his roles were un-credited, but he occasionally he received named billing, such as Henchman Lucas in the 1944 Western '' Wild Horse Phantom'', as Blazer in '' Rimfire'' (1949), and as Westy in the 1953 Western, '' Gun Fury''. Other notable films in which Cason appears include: '' Her Husband's Affairs'' (1947), starring
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,
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, and
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; 1949's '' Tough Assignment'', a crime film starring Don Barry; as Corporal Paluso in the classic war melodrama ''
From Here to Eternity ''From Here to Eternity'' is a 1953 American romantic Drama (film and television)#War drama, war drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann and written by Daniel Taradash, based on the 1951 From Here to Eternity (novel), novel of the same name by J ...
'', starring
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,
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Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...
; the 1957 comedy, '' Don't Go Near the Water'', 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 ...
and Gia Scala; and as one of Glenn Ford's henchmen in the classic Western '' 3:10 to Yuma'', which also stars
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; Cason appeared in several
film serials A serial film, film serial (or just serial), movie serial, or chapter play, is a film, motion picture form popular during the first half of the 20th century, consisting of a series of short subjects exhibited in consecutive order at one theater ...
, including the featured role of Hopper in 1953's '' The Lost Planet'', the recurring role of Casey in '' Desperadoes of the West'' (1950) starring Tom Keene, and as Smoky in 1952's '' Son of Geronimo: Apache Avenger'' starring
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. His final film performance was in the role of Suggs in yet another Glenn Ford Western, 1960's '' Cimarron'', which also stars Maria Schell. With the advent of television, Cason began appearing in television series. His first appearance on the small screen was in 1949, in the first season of the series ''
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'', appearing as a henchman. Other television series he appeared on include: ''
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'' (1952), several different roles from 1951 to 1953 on ''
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 ...
'', several appearances on '' The Roy Rogers Show'' from 1953 to 1957, in different roles on several episodes of '' Judge Roy Bean'' in 1956, as several different guest roles on ''
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp ''The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp'' is the first Western television series written for adults.Maverick'' and ''
Rawhide Rawhide may refer to: *Rawhide (material), a hide or animal skin that has not been tanned * Whip made from rawhide Entertainment * ''Rawhide'' (1926 film), a Western directed by Richard Thorpe * ''Rawhide'' (1938 film), a Western starring baseball ...
'' in 1960, and on '' The Untouchables'' and ''
Bat Masterson Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the late 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was bo ...
'' in 1961. His final performance was on the 1961 episode of '' Lawman'', "By the Book", in which he played the character Brad Oliver, which aired after his death in December 1961.


Death

Cason was killed in a car accident on July 7, 1961. He was buried in Grangeville Cemetery, in Armona, California.


Selected filmography

*'' Buck Privates'' (1941) - Fighter (uncredited) *'' Fugitive Valley'' (1941) - Whip Rider (uncredited) *'' Badlands of Dakota'' (1941) - Townsman (uncredited) *'' The Apache Kid'' (1941) - Deputy Tom (uncredited) *'' You'll Never Get Rich'' (1941) - Soldier (uncredited) *'' Death Valley Outlaws'' (1941) - Vigilante (uncredited) *'' Down Mexico Way'' (1941) - Henchman (uncredited) *''
Go West, Young Lady ''Go West, Young Lady'' is a 1941 American comedy western film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Glenn Ford and Ann Miller. It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures.Fetrow p.178 Plot The town of Headstone ...
'' (1941) - Barfly (uncredited) *''
Riders of the Badlands ''Riders of the Badlands'' is a 1941 American western film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Betty Burbridge. The film stars Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, Cliff Edwards, Ilene Brewer, Kay Hughes and Roy Barcroft. The film was ...
'' (1941) - Prison Guard (uncredited) *'' The Lone Star Vigilantes'' (1942) - Henchman Soldier (uncredited) *''
Valley of the Sun A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains and typically containing a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over a ve ...
'' (1942) - Officer at Court Martial (uncredited) *'' Raiders of the West'' (1942) - Gene - First Auction Wiseguy (uncredited) *'' Raiders of the Range'' (1942) - Posse Rider (uncredited) *'' Down Rio Grande Way'' (1942) - Red (uncredited) *'' Westward Ho'' (1942) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Rio Rita'' (1942) - Ranger (uncredited) *'' Bad Men of the Hills'' (1942) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Shadows on the Sage'' (1942) - Cowhand (uncredited) *'' The Valley of Vanishing Men'' (1942, Serial) - Miner (uncredited) *'' Lost Canyon'' (1942) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Border Patrol'' (1943) - Miner (uncredited) *''
Taxi, Mister ''Taxi, Mister'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Kurt Neumann (director), Kurt Neumann and written by Earle Snell and Clarence Marks. The film stars William Bendix, Grace Bradley, Joe Sawyer, Sheldon Leonard, Joe Devlin, Jack Norton, F ...
'' (1943) - Ballplayer in Donnybrook (uncredited) *'' Murder on the Waterfront'' (1943) - Sailor Greeting Bus (uncredited) *'' The Vigilantes Ride'' (1943) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Frontier Outlaws'' (1944) - Rancher (uncredited) *'' Follow the Boys'' (1944) - Soldier Listening to Radio (uncredited) *'' Valley of Vengeance'' (1944) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' The Contender'' (1944) - The Koko Kid (uncredited) *'' Spook Town'' (1944) - Henchman Breed (uncredited) *'' Sonora Stagecoach'' (1944) - Gunman #3 (uncredited) *'' Fuzzy Settles Down'' (1944) - Red Rock Townsman (uncredited) *'' The Hairy Ape'' (1944) - Bar Patron-Brawler (uncredited) *'' Mr. Winkle Goes to War'' (1944) - Soldier at USO Dance (uncredited) *'' Raiders of Ghost City'' (1944, Serial) - Barfly (uncredited) *'' Marked Trails'' (1944) - Chuck - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Brand of the Devil'' (1944) - Deputy / Henchman Ed (uncredited) *'' Land of the Outlaws'' (1944) - Lefty - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Wild Horse Phantom'' (1944) - Lucas - Henchman *'' Zorro's Black Whip'' (1944, Serial) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Ghost Guns'' (1944) - Bart - Henchman *'' Harmony Trail'' (1944) - Townsman (uncredited) *''
Oath of Vengeance In Mormonism, the oath of vengeance (or law of vengeance) was part of the endowment ritual of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) implemented in 1845. Participants swore an oath to pray for God to avenge the blood of p ...
'' (1944) - Bart - Wounded Henchman (uncredited) *'' His Brother's Ghost'' (1945) - Henchman Jarrett *'' Gun Smoke'' (1945) - Red - Henchman *'' Shadows of Death'' (1945) - Henchman Butch *''
Counter-Attack A counterattack is a tactic employed in response to an attack, with the term originating in " war games". The general objective is to negate or thwart the advantage gained by the enemy during attack, while the specific objectives typically seek ...
'' (1945) - Paratrooper (uncredited) *'' Both Barrels Blazing'' (1945) - Henhcman Shad (uncredited) *'' Gangster's Den'' (1945) - Burke (uncredited) *'' Flame of the West'' (1945) - Slim (uncredited) *'' Stagecoach Outlaws'' (1945) - Joe - Henchman *'' Rustlers' Hideout'' (1945) - Charley Green (uncredited) *'' Border Badmen'' (1945) - Henchman (uncredited) *''
Flaming Bullets ''Flaming Bullets'' is a 1945 American Western (genre), Western film written and directed by Harry L. Fraser. The film, the final of PRC's Texas Rangers film series, stars Tex Ritter, Dave O'Brien (actor), Dave O'Brien, Guy Wilkerson, Patricia ...
'' (1945) - Henchman Jim (uncredited) *'' Fighting Bill Carson'' (1945) - Henchman Joe *'' Prairie Rustlers'' (1945) - Gus (uncredited) *'' The Fighting Guardsman'' (1946) - Baptiste (uncredited) *'' Lightning Raiders'' (1946) - Henchman Gordon (uncredited) *'' Ambush Trail'' (1946) - Ed Blaine - Henchman *'' Larceny in Her Heart'' (1946) - Club Bouncer (uncredited) *'' Ghost of Hidden Valley'' (1946) - Henchman Buck *'' Prairie Badmen'' (1946) - Steve *'' Overland Riders'' (1946) - Henchman *'' Outlaws of the Plains'' (1946) - Joe Dayton (uncredited) *'' South of the Chisholm Trail'' (1947) - Fight Spectator (uncredited) *'' Over the Santa Fe Trail'' (1947) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' The Lone Hand Texan'' (1947) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Prairie Raiders'' (1947) - Cinco - Henchman (uncredited) *'' The Last Round-Up'' (1947) - Henchman Carter (uncredited) *'' Her Husband's Affairs'' (1947) - Heckler (uncredited) *'' Six-Gun Law'' (1948) - Ben - Henchman (uncredited) *'' The Wreck of the Hesperus'' (1948) - Thug (uncredited) *'' Relentless'' (1948) - Deputy Posse Member (uncredited) *'' The Gallant Legion'' (1948) - Sprauge (uncredited) *'' Trail to Laredo'' (1948) - Blaze - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Sunset Carson Rides Again'' (1948) - Sam Webster *'' Dead Man's Gold'' (1948) - Henchman Matt Conway *'' Mark of the Lash'' (1948) - Hechnman Colt Jackson *'' Belle Starr's Daughter'' (1948) - Kiowa Posseman *'' The Big Sombrero'' (1949) - Henchman Stacy (uncredited) *'' Challenge of the Range'' (1949) - Henchman Henley (uncredited) *'' Rimfire'' (1949) - Blazer *'' Laramie'' (1949) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' The Blazing Trail'' (1949) - Patterson Henchman (uncredited) *'' Ringside'' (1949) - Tiger Johnson *'' Feudin' Rhythm'' (1949) - Pete (uncredited) *'' Tough Assignment'' (1949) - Joe *'' Red Desert'' (1949) - Bob Horn - Henchman *''
Range Land ''Range Land'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Adele Buffington. The film stars Whip Wilson, Andy Clyde, Reno Browne, Leonard Penn, Reed Howes and Kenne Duncan. The film was released on December 24, ...
'' (1949) - Rocky Rand - Henchman *'' The Traveling Saleswoman'' (1950) - Fred *'' Hostile Country'' (1950) - Ed Brady *'' Comanche Territory'' (1950) - Newcomer at Shindig (uncredited) *''
Marshal of Heldorado ''Marshall of Heldorado'' is a 1950 American Western (genre), Western film. Plot Cast *James Ellison (actor), James Ellison as James "Shamrock" Ellison *Russell Hayden, Russ "Lucky" Hayden as Russ "Lucky" Hayden *Raymond Hatton as The colonel ...
'' (1950) - Jake Tulliver *'' Crooked River'' (1950) - Kent *'' Colorado Ranger'' (1950) - Loco Joe *'' West of the Brazos'' (1950) - The Cyclone Kid *'' Fast on the Draw'' (1950) - Tex *'' Punchy Cowpunchers'' (1950) - Black Jack Dillon (uncredited) *'' Desperadoes of the West'' (1950, Serial) - Casey hs. 1, 8, 11, 12*'' Streets of Ghost Town'' (1950) - John Wicks (uncredited) *'' Redwood Forest Trail'' (1950) - Henchman Curley *'' Wyoming Mail'' (1950) - Red Monte (uncredited) *'' Rustlers on Horseback'' (1950) - Henchman Murray *'' Stage to Tucson'' (1950) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Prairie Roundup'' (1951) - Barton (uncredited) *'' Fort Savage Raiders'' (1951) - Henchman Gus *'' Wanted: Dead or Alive'' (1951) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Don Daredevil Rides Again'' (1951, Serial) - Hagen *'' The Texas Rangers'' (1951) - Guard on Train (uncredited) *'' The Thundering Trail'' (1951) - Conway - Henchman *'' Westward the Women'' (1951) - Margaret's Awaiting Groom (uncredited) *'' The Black Lash'' (1952) - Henchman Cord *'' The Hawk of Wild River'' (1952) - Duke - Henchman (uncredited) *''
High Noon ''High Noon'' is a 1952 American Western (genre), Western film produced by Stanley Kramer from a screenplay by Carl Foreman, directed by Fred Zinnemann, and starring Gary Cooper. The plot, which occurs in Real time (media), real time, centers ...
'' (1952) - Barfly (uncredited) *'' Black Hills Ambush'' (1952) - Henchman Jake *'' The Kid from Broken Gun'' (1952) - Chuck (uncredited) *'' Hellgate'' (1952) - Guard (uncredited) *'' Wagon Team'' (1952) - Henchman Slim *'' Son of Geronimo'' (1952, Serial) - Smoky (ch's 10–12) (uncredited) *''
Voodoo Tiger ''Voodoo Tiger'' is a 1952 American adventure film directed by Spencer G. Bennet and starring Johnny Weissmuller in his ninth performance as the protagonist adventurer Jungle Jim. It was written by Samuel Newman and produced by Columbia Pictures. ...
'' (1952) - Jerry Masters (uncredited) *'' Jungle Drums of Africa'' (1953, Serial) - Regas *'' Savage Frontier'' (1953) - Buck Matson - Henchman *'' The Lost Planet'' (1953) - Hopper *''
From Here to Eternity ''From Here to Eternity'' is a 1953 American romantic Drama (film and television)#War drama, war drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann and written by Daniel Taradash, based on the 1951 From Here to Eternity (novel), novel of the same name by J ...
'' (1953) - Cpl. Paluso (uncredited) *'' Gun Fury'' (1953) - Westy (uncredited) *'' Thunder Over the Plains'' (1953) - Kehoe - Henchman (uncredited) *''
Red River Shore ''Red River Shore'' is a 1953 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Harry Keller and starring Rex Allen, Lyn Thomas and Slim Pickens.England p.140 The film's sets were designed by the art director Frank Hotaling. Plot Cast * Rex ...
'' (1953) - Joe - Henchman *'' The Boy from Oklahoma'' (1954) - Henchman (uncredited) *''
Saskatchewan Saskatchewan is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Western Canada. It is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and to the south by the ...
'' (1954) - Cook (uncredited) *''
The Law vs. Billy the Kid ''The Law vs. Billy the Kid'' is a 1954 American Western (genre), western film directed by William Castle and starring Scott Brady, Betta St. John and Paul Cavanagh. It was produced by Sam Katzman for distribution by Columbia Pictures. Plot Che ...
'' (1954) - Nate - Posse Member (uncredited) *'' Cattle Queen of Montana'' (1954) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Treasure of Ruby Hills'' (1955) - Payne Henchman (uncredited) *'' Wyoming Renegades'' (1955) - O.C. Hanks *'' King of the Carnival'' (1955, Serial) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Tennessee's Partner'' (1955) - Townsman (uncredited) *'' Count Three and Pray'' (1955) - Charlie Vancouver (uncredited) *'' The Last Frontier'' (1955) - First Sentry (uncredited) *'' A Lawless Street'' (1955) - Dean Ranch Hand (uncredited) *''
Top Gun ''Top Gun'' is a 1986 American action drama film directed by Tony Scott and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, with distribution by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay was written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr., and was inspired ...
'' (1955) - Ben (uncredited) *'' Jubal'' (1956) - Ranch Owner (uncredited) *'' Blackjack Ketchum, Desperado'' (1956) - Spade - Henchman (uncredited) *''
Over-Exposed ''Over-Exposed'' is a 1956 American film noir crime film directed by Lewis Seiler and starring Cleo Moore, Richard Crenna and Raymond Greenleaf. It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. This film was released on DVD by Sony Picture ...
'' (1956) - Studio Thug (uncredited) *'' He Laughed Last'' (1956) - Big Dan's Hood (uncredited) *'' Naked Gun'' (1956) - (scenes deleted) *''
The Storm Rider ''The Storm Rider'' is a 1957 American Western film directed by Edward Bernds, written by Edward Bernds and Don Martin, and starring Scott Brady, Mala Powers, Bill Williams, John Goddard, William Fawcett and Roy Engel. It is based on the ...
'' (1957) - Jasper (uncredited) *'' The Phantom Stagecoach'' (1957) - Henry Fox (uncredited) *'' The Iron Sheriff'' (1957) - Irate Townsman at Trial (uncredited) *'' Snowfire'' (1957) - Buff Stoner *'' 3:10 to Yuma'' (1957) - Wade Henchman (uncredited) *'' Don't Go Near the Water'' (1957) - Seabee Metkoff (uncredited) *'' The Hard Man'' (1957) - Henchman with Eye Patch (uncredited) *''
Cowboy A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the ''vaquero'' ...
'' (1958) - Trail Hand (uncredited) *'' Screaming Mimi'' (1958) - Herb (uncredited) *''
Gunman's Walk ''Gunman's Walk'' is a 1958 American CinemaScope Western (genre), Western film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Van Heflin and Tab Hunter. Plot Davy Hackett (James Darren) and his hot-tempered, arrogant older brother Ed (Tab Hunter) are ab ...
'' (1958) - Wrangler (uncredited) *''
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 ...
'' (1958) in Episode "The Manhunters" *'' Gunmen from Laredo'' (1959) - Bob Sutton (uncredited) *'' Cimarron'' (1960) - Suggs (uncredited)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Cason, John L. 1918 births 1961 deaths Male actors from Texas 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors Road incident deaths in California