Sam George Edwards (May 26, 1915 – July 28, 2004) was an American actor. His most famous role on television was as banker Bill Anderson on '' Little House on the Prairie''.D.S.S. Form 1 Military Draft Registration Card completed on October 16, 1940. Name is listed as "Sam George Edwards", Place of Birth is listed as "Macon (Dibbs), Georgia" and Employer's Name and Address is listed as "National Broadcasting Co", "111 Sutter St, San Francisco, Calif"

Biography

Early years

Born into a show business family, his first role was as a baby in his mother's arms. He appeared on radio in the 1930s in the ''Adventures of Sonny and Buddy'' one of the first radio serials ever syndicated, and later in ''The Edwards Family'', a series based on the life of Sam, brother Jack, who was also an actor, sister Florida, and his parents, Edna Park and Jack Edwards Sr. Sam was also an early cast member of one of the first radio soap operas, '' One Man's Family''.

Military service

During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, Sam was inducted into the Army and ended up serving as part of the morale-building entertainment corps, spending much of the time in the African, European, and India/Burma theater, travelling for a time with Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton's regiments. He enlisted August 6, 1942 and was discharged November 15, 1945 as a "Buck" Sergeant.

Later years

Edwards spent much of his retirement travelling the world with his wife of 35 years, Beverly, and attending many

Old Time Radio The Golden Age of Radio, also known as the old-time radio (OTR) era, was an era of radio in the United States where it was the dominant electronic home entertainment medium. It began with the birth of commercial radio broadcasting in the earl ...

conventions where he participated in recreations of original shows from the 1940s and 1950s, as well as newer scripts. He spent his last 24 years based in

Durango, Colorado Durango is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 19,071 at the 2020 United States Census. Durango is the home of Fort Lewis ...

where he died.

Death

On July 28, 2004, Edwards died of a heart attack in Durango, Colorado. He was survived by his wife, Beverly Motley Edwards, stepchildren William, Deborah and Linda Edwards, and several grandchildren.

Career

Radio

Edwards worked on a variety of radio programs. He co-starred in the comedy ''The First Hundred Years'' on ABC in 1949 and landed a starring role playing Dexter Franklin opposite

Janet Waldo Janet Waldo (born Jeanette Marie Waldo; February 4, 1919 – June 12, 2016) was an American radio and voice actress. In animation, she voiced Judy Jetson in various Hanna-Barbera media, Nancy in '' Shazzan'', Penelope Pitstop, Princess from '' ...

in the long-running ''

Meet Corliss Archer ''Meet Corliss Archer'' is an American radio program from radio's Golden Age that ran from January 7, 1943, to September 30, 1956. Although it was CBS's answer to NBC's ''A Date with Judy'', it was also broadcast by NBC in 1948 as a summer repla ...

'' series. He also had recurring or cast member roles in radio on '' Crime Classics'', ''Dr. Paul''; ''

Father Knows Best ''Father Knows Best'' is an American sitcom starring Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. The series, which began on radio in 1949, aired as a television show for six seasons and 203 episodes. Created by ...

'', ''

Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. It is listed in ''Guinness World Records'' as the third longest-running drama in television in American history. ''Guiding Light'' a ...

'', '' Fort Laramie''; ''

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

''; '' Dragnet''; '' Suspense''; '' Escape''; '' This Is Your FBI''; '' The Six Shooter''; and '' Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar''.

Film

Edwards' first major screen role was as Chuck Ramsey in the movie serial version of ''

Captain Midnight ''Captain Midnight'' (later rebranded on television as ''Jet Jackson, Flying Commando'') is a U.S. adventure franchise first broadcast as a radio serial from 1938 to 1949. The character's popularity throughout the 1940s and into the mid-1950s e ...

'' (1942). From 1949 to 1981, he made several film appearances, with significant roles in '' Twelve O'Clock High'' (1949), '' Operation Pacific'' (1951), ''

Gangbusters ''Gang Busters'' is an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered on January 15, 1936, and was broadcast over 21 years through November 27, 1957. Hist ...

'' (1954), and supporting roles in '' The Beatniks'' (1960) and '' Suppose They Gave A War and Nobody Came'' (1969). He was also seen in ''

The Absent-Minded Professor ''The Absent-Minded Professor'' is a 1961 American science fiction comedy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and based on the short story "A Situation of Gravity" by Samuel W. Taylor, originally published in the May 22, 1943 issue of ''L ...

'' (1961), '' Hello, Dolly!'' (1969) and '' The Postman Always Rings Twice'' (1981). Edwards was also often heard behind animated characters both on film and records. In 1942, he voiced the adult Thumper in the animated classic ''

Bambi ''Bambi'' is a 1942 American animated drama film directed by David Hand (supervising a team of sequence directors), produced by Walt Disney and based on the 1923 book '' Bambi, a Life in the Woods'' by Austrian author and hunter Felix Sal ...

''. Later work for

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...

was largely on LP Records, including the voices of the Cowardly Lion and

Tin Woodman Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman, also known as the Tin Man or—mistakenly—the "Tin Woodsman," is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum. Baum's Tin Woodman first appeared in his classic 1900 book '' ...

on their Oz series, and as

Tigger Tigger is a fictional character, an anthropomorphic stuffed tiger. He was originally introduced in the 1928 story collection ''The House at Pooh Corner'', the sequel to the 1926 book ''Winnie-the-Pooh'' by A. A. Milne. Like other Pooh characte ...

, and Owl on the Winnie the Pooh records. He voiced the title character of

Rod Rocket ''Rod Rocket'' is the first animated cartoon with production credited to Filmation, debuting in syndication in 1963. The show was produced in five-minute cliffhanger segments, with five segments making a full story. Television stations could bro ...

in an early 1960s educational series, and did some episodes of the cult classic '' Jonny Quest''. His last work for Disney was as Ollie Owl opposite singer

Burl Ives Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives (June 14, 1909 – April 14, 1995) was an American musician, actor, and author with a career that spanned more than six decades. Ives began his career as an itinerant singer and guitarist, eventually launching his own rad ...

as Sam the Eagle on their long-running America Sings attraction at

Disneyland Disneyland is a theme park in Anaheim, California. Opened in 1955, it was the first theme park opened by The Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. Disney initially envisi ...

. There were numerous TV and radio commercials as well, both in front of and behind the camera.

Television

Edwards appeared on many television series starting in the mid-1950s. Most notable of these include many episodes of '' Dragnet'' and ''

'' throughout their long runs. He also appeared on over 60 different series, including ''

The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show ''The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show'', sometimes called ''The Burns and Allen Show'', was a half-hour television situation comedy broadcast from 1950 to 1958 on CBS. It starred George Burns and Gracie Allen, one of the most enduring acts ...

'', '' Straightaway'', ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American situation comedy television series that aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 90 in color. Th ...

'', ''

Petticoat Junction ''Petticoat Junction'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from September 1963 to April 1970. The series takes place at the Shady Rest Hotel, which is run by Kate Bradley; her three daughters Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, and B ...

'', ''

Green Acres ''Green Acres'' is an American television sitcom starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a couple who move from New York City to a country farm. Produced by Filmways as a sister show to '' Petticoat Junction'', the series was first broad ...

'', ''

Mannix ''Mannix'' is an American detective television series that ran from 1967 to 1975 on CBS. It was created by Richard Levinson and William Link, and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller. The title character, Joe Mannix, is a private in ...

'', '' Mission: Impossible'', ''

The Streets of San Francisco ''The Streets of San Francisco'' is a television crime drama filmed on location in San Francisco and produced by Quinn Martin Productions, with the first season produced in association with Warner Bros. Television (QM produced the show on its ...

'', ''

Adam-12 ''Adam-12'' is an American television police procedural crime drama television series created by Robert A. Cinader and Jack Webb. The series follows Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers Pete Malloy and Jim Reed as they patrol the stre ...

'', '' The Red Skelton Show'', ''

Happy Days ''Happy Days'' is an American television sitcom that aired first-run on the ABC network from January 15, 1974, to July 19, 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning 11 seasons. Created by Garry Marshall, it was one of the most su ...

'', '' The Dukes of Hazzard'', and even ''

Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that streams on the streaming service Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. The soap, which aired on ...

''. In 1969 Edwards appeared as Will Frazee on the TV series '' The Virginian'' in the episode titled "A Woman of Stone."

Selected filmography

*'' High Hat'' (1937) – Performer *'' East Side Kids'' (1940) – Pete *''

'' (1942) – Chuck Ramsey *'' Rubber Racketeers'' (1942) – Freddy Dale *''

'' (1942) – Adult Thumper (voice) *'' The Street with No Name'' (1948) – Whitey (uncredited) *''

Larceny Larceny is a crime involving the unlawful taking or theft of the personal property of another person or business. It was an offence under the common law of England and became an offence in jurisdictions which incorporated the common law of Engl ...

'' (1948) – YAA President (uncredited) *'' The Countess of Monte Cristo'' (1948) – Bellhop (uncredited) *'' Twelve O'Clock High'' (1949) – Lt. Birdwell *''

The Sun Sets at Dawn ''The Sun Sets at Dawn'' is a 1950 American film noir crime film directed by Paul Sloane and starring Sally Parr and Patrick Waltz. Plot A young man sits in prison on the night before his execution, while his girlfriend waits for the inevitable i ...

'' (1950) – Herald Reporter *'' The Jackpot'' (1950) – Parking Lot Attendant (uncredited) *'' Flying Leathernecks'' (1951) – Junior (uncredited) *'' Operation Pacific'' (1951) – Junior *''

Witness to Murder ''Witness to Murder'' is a 1954 American film noir crime drama directed by Roy Rowland and starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Sanders, and Gary Merrill. While the film received moderately positive reviews, it ended up as an also-ran to Alfre ...

'' (1954) – Tommy – Counterman (uncredited) *'' The McConnell Story'' (1955) – Radio Man (uncredited) *''

Between Heaven and Hell Between Heaven and Hell may refer to: * ''Between Heaven and Hell'' (film), a 1956 film directed by Richard Fleischer * ''Between Heaven and Hell'' (novel), a 1982 novel by Peter Kreeft * "Between Heaven and Hell" (song), a 1996 song by Zakk Wyl ...

'' (1956) – Soames (uncredited) *''

The Badlanders ''The Badlanders'' is a 1958 American western caper film directed by Delmer Daves and starring Alan Ladd and Ernest Borgnine.''Variety'' film review; July 16, 1958, p. 6.'' Harrison's Reports'' film review; July 19, 1958, p. 114. Based on the ...

'' (1958) – Crazy Convict (uncredited) *'' Torpedo Run'' (1958) – Coleman – Sub Radio Operator (uncredited) *'' Revolt in the Big House'' (1958) – Al Carey *'' The Beatniks'' (1960) – Red *'' The Absent Minded Professor'' (1961) – Military Radio Dispatcher (uncredited) *''

The Prize The Prize may refer to: * ''The Prize'' (novel), a 1962 novel by Irving Wallace ** ''The Prize'' (1963 film), a 1963 film based on the novel * ''The Prize'' (1950 film), a 1950 French film * ''The Prize'' (2011 film), a 2011 Mexican film * * ...

'' (1963) – Reporter (uncredited) *'' Three Guns for Texas'' (1968) – Sammy (uncredited) *'' The Young Runaways'' (1968) – Bert – Service Station Owner (uncredited) *''

Bullitt ''Bullitt'' is a 1968 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by Peter Yates and produced by Philip D'Antoni. The picture stars Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, and Jacqueline Bisset. The screenplay by Alan Trustman, Alan R. Trustman and H ...

'' (1968) – (voice) *''

Dragnet 1966 ''Dragnet'' is an American radio, television and film series, following the exploits of dedicated Los Angeles Police Department Detective Joe Friday and his partners, created by actor and producer Jack Webb. The show took its name from the pol ...

'' (1969, TV Series) – Rodman (uncredited) *'' Hello, Dolly!'' (1969) – Laborer (uncredited) *'' The Cheyenne Social Club'' (1970) – Barfly Getting Up from Table (uncredited) *'' Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?'' (1970) – Deputy Sam *''

Scandalous John ''Scandalous John'' is a 1971 American comedy-drama Western (genre), western film directed by Robert Butler (director), Robert Butler and produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Productions. It stars Brian Keith and Alfonso Arau. The music w ...

'' (1971) – Deputy Sam *''The Deadly Dream'' (1971, TV Movie) – Man protesting his innocence (uncredited) *'' In Broad Daylight'' (1971, TV Movie) – Cunningham *'' The Death of Me Yet'' (1971, TV Movie) – Jerry *'' The Biscuit Eater'' (1972) – Gun Club Member (uncredited) *''Set This Town on Fire'' (1973, TV Movie) – Motel Manager *'' Chase'' (1973, TV Movie) *''Hog Wild'' ('' Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color'') (1974, TV Movie) – Farmer *'' Hit Lady'' (1974, TV Movie) – Innkeeper *''Hurricane'' (1974, TV Movie) – Del Travis *''Requiem for a Nun'' (1975, TV Movie) – Governor *'' Escape to Witch Mountain'' (1975) – Mate *''The Flight of the Grey Wolf'' (1976, TV Movie) – Amsel *''The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe'' (1976, TV Movie) *'' Viva Knievel!'' (1977) – Stadium Manager (uncredited) *''Incredible Rocky Mountain Race'' (1977, TV Movie) – Milford Petrie *'' Just Me and You'' (1978, TV Movie) *''Mark Twain: Beneath the Laughter'' (1979, TV Movie) – Bixby *'' The Postman Always Rings Twice'' (1981) – Ticket Clerk

References

External links

* *
A detailed biography from his stepson's website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Sam 1915 births 2004 deaths American male radio actors American male voice actors American male television actors American male film actors Actors from Macon, Georgia Male actors from Georgia (U.S. state) United States Army non-commissioned officers United States Army personnel of World War II 20th-century American male actors