During his life, Denver Pyle made a series of films and appeared on television. In this article, we take a look at his career and his marriage to Tippie Johnston.
Denver Pyle’s career
During Denver Pyle’s career, he starred in 75 films. His filmography includes such movies as ‘Stalking Horse’, ‘Devil Ship’, ‘Death Valley Days’, ‘Stagecoach West’, ‘The Restless Gun’ and ‘Johnny Guitar’.
In addition to his film career, Pyle also worked on several television series. He appeared on two episodes of Route 66, starred in the 1960 episode of National Velvet, and guest starred in several westerns. He also appeared on the 1960 NBC series Overland Trail. He also played the part of a lawyer in petticoats in the episode ‘Special Delivery’.
Pyle also had an interest in cinematography. He also worked as a set photographer for The Alamo. His death was a result of lung cancer. He died at the age of 77. His memorial services were held at the First Baptist Church in Waxahachie, Texas. The Pyle family donated $160,000 to a charity organization.
Denver Pyle’s wife, Tippie Johnston, supported him throughout his career. They divorced in 1970, but remained on cordial terms until his death.
Denver Pyle’s marriage to Tippie Johnston
During the course of his career, Denver Pyle worked in dozens of television and film productions. He also appeared in amateur theatrical productions. His most prominent role was as Jesse Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard.
Pyle was born on May 11, 1920, in Bethune, Kit Carson County, Colorado. He was the son of Ben H. and Willis Acton Pyle. He has an older brother named Willis Pyle, a famous animator.
Pyle was spotted by a talent scout while performing in an amateur theatrical production. He was accepted into Colorado State University but dropped out to pursue an acting career. He also studied under Michael Chekhov. He later joined the United States Merchant Marine during World War II.
Pyle was originally signed to appear in eight episodes of the popular show. After several years of traveling, he returned home. In the early fifties, he gravitated towards westerns. He also starred with Richard Widmark and George Kennedy. He also appeared in dozens of other television series. In addition, he served as a television director.
Denver Pyle’s early television roles
Throughout his fifty year career as an actor, Denver Pyle appeared in five popular television shows. He also appeared in some popular movies. He worked with several notable names in Hollywood.
Before he entered the world of show business, Pyle worked as a drummer and riveter. He was spotted by a talent scout while he was participating in an amateur theatre production. He briefly attended Colorado State University before dropping out to work in the show business industry. Pyle starred in several television series during the 1950s.
Pyle appeared on the series The Andy Griffith Show and The Dukes of Hazzard. He starred as an outlaw on the 1951 episode of The Lone Ranger, and as Mad Jack on The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams. He also guest-starred on the series fourteen times between 1951 and 1953.
He also played a police detective in a film noir called Please Murder Me. He starred in the film Escape to Witch Mountain and appeared as a law enforcement officer in Rescue 8. Pyle starred in several films with John Wayne, including The Alamo. He also starred in the film Hopalong Cassidy and the television show Bonanza. He died from lung cancer in 1997. His ashes are interred in the Forreston Cemetery in Ellis County, Colorado.
Denver Pyle’s films
Known for his role as Uncle Jesse on the classic television series The Dukes of Hazzard, Denver Pyle had a successful career as an actor. He had a net worth of $5 million.
Pyle started out in his career as a drummer. He was discovered by a talent scout, and dropped out of college to pursue a career in show business. He also worked as a riveter for an aircraft plant in Los Angeles.
He also served in the United States Navy during World War II. Pyle was wounded in the battle of Guadalcanal in 1943. His injuries resulted in a medical discharge. He subsequently joined the Merchant Marine. In 1946, he was spotted by a talent scout in an amateur theater production.
During the early 1950s, Pyle appeared in several movies. He also worked as a sidekick. He appeared in The Cisco Kid, The Great Race, The Great Race: The Last Ride, Good Day for a Hanging, and Train to Alcatraz. He also appeared in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.