Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William Tannen (November 17, 1911 – December 2, 1976) was an American actor originally from New York City, who was best known for his role of Deputy Hal Norton in fifty-six episodes from 1956 to 1958 of the ABC/Desilu western television series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, with Hugh O'Brian as Deputy Marshal Wyatt Earp. Tannen was also cast as Gyp Clements in the 1955 episode "The Buntline Special" of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Beginning on September 11, 1956, in the second season of the series, with the setting moved from Wichita to Dodge City, Kansas, Tannen filled the Hal Norton role. His earliest episodes were "Fight or Run", "The Double Life of Dora Hand" and "Clay Allison", the latter two based on historical figures, the saloon singer and actor Dora Hand and the gunfighter Clay Allison. Some of his appearances were uncredited. His last credited role was "Doc Holliday Rewrites History" (May 6, 1958), with Myron Healey as the frontier gunfighter and dentist Doc Holliday. His last uncredited roles aired thereafter in May and June 1958, "Dig a Grave for Ben Thompson", based on the historical figure Ben Thompson played by Denver Pyle, "Frame-up", and "My Husband". He was cast as Ike Clanton, not on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, but in the 1964 episode "After the OK Corral" of the syndicated western anthology series, Death Valley Days. Jim Davis portrayed Wyatt Earp in this particular episode. Tannen appeared twice, one role uncredited in Davis' earlier syndicated western series, Stories of the Century, including the role of Dutch Charlie in "Milt Sharp", the story of the stagecoach robber Milt Sharp.
Acted in 153
1980s
- 1988
1960s
- 1968
- 1966
- 1965
- 1964
The Quick Gun
Movie
- 1963
- 1962
- 1961
Gunslinger
Ben Tracy · 1 episode
- 1960
Noose for a Gunman
Willetts
1950s
- 1958
- 1957
The Tijuana Story
Movie
A Hatful of Rain
Celia's Supervisor (uncredited)
Gun Duel in Durango
Larkin - Man Stealing Guns (uncredited)
- 1956
Hey, Jeannie!
Paul Revere · 1 episode
The First Texan
President Jackson's Aide (uncredited)
Blackjack Ketchum Desperado
Dee Havalik
- 1955
Top Gun
Torchy (uncredited)
The Adventures of Champion
Rustler, Logan · 1 episode
Dial Red O
Devon
- 1954
The Law vs. Billy the Kid
Dave Rudabaugh
Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl
Steve Castle (as Bill Tannen)
Jesse James vs. the Daltons
Emmett Dalton
The Golden Idol
Sergeant Reed
- 1953
El Paso Stampede
Henchman Joe
99 River Street
Director
I, the Jury
Movie
Jack McCall, Desperado
Spargo
- 1952
Flat Top
Commander (uncredited)
Talk About a Stranger
Driggs
Road Agent
Toll Gate Guard
Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land
'Doc' Edwards
- 1951
Roaring City
Ed Gannon
I Was an American Spy
American Captain (uncredited)
Insurance Investigator
1st Hood
A Yank in Korea
Lt. Lewis
Blue Blood
Sparks
- 1950
The Flying Missile
Lieutenant
Pygmy Island
Kruger
Chain Gang
Harry Cleaver
Three Secrets
Bobby Lynch (uncredited)
Sunset in the West
John Kimball (as William J. Tannen)
Pal, Canine Detective
Movie
Convicted
Prison Guard (uncredited)
Armored Car Robbery
Officer Johnson (uncredited)
Riders of the Range
Trump Dixon
1940s
- 1949
Abandoned
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
The Mysterious Desperado
Bart Barton
Alaska Patrol
Dajek
- 1948
An Innocent Affair
Gaylord
Walk a Crooked Mile
FBI Chemist
- 1947
Cynthia
Dingle Clerk (Uncredited)
High Barbaree
Officer of the Deck (uncredited)
- 1946
Gallant Bess
Chief Petty Officer (uncredited)
Our Old Car
Officer Donahue (uncredited)
- 1945
Week-End at the Waldorf
Photographer (uncredited)
A Gun in His Hand
Police Lab Technician Wilson (uncredited)
Main Street After Dark
Wallet-Preparer (uncredited)
The Great Morgan
Officer Donohue (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1944
Dark Shadows
McKay's Assistant (uncredited)
Maisie Goes to Reno
Lead Man (Uncredited)
The Canterville Ghost
Jordan
Main Street Today
Department of Transportation Representative (uncredited)
- 1943
For God and Country
Captain
Air Raid Wardens
Joseph
- 1942
Stand by for Action
Flag Lt. Dudley
For Me and My Gal
France Soldier-Driver (uncredited)
Cairo
Mechanic at Pyramid (uncredited)
The Affairs of Martha
Mechanic (uncredited)
Maisie Gets Her Man
Army Stage Manager (Uncredited)
Pacific Rendezvous
Jasper Dean
Grand Central Murder
Second Railroad Yardman (uncredited)
Fingers at the Window
Devlan
Ship Ahoy
Agent Flammer
The Lady or the Tiger?
Frank R. Stockton
Nazi Agent
Ludwig
Woman of the Year
Ellis
Joe Smith, American
Eddie
- 1941
Whistling in the Dark
Robert Graves
Down in San Diego
Matt Herman
I'll Wait for You
Driver
Men of the Timberland
Cafe Patron (uncredited)
1-2-3-Go!
Taxi Driver
The Wild Man of Borneo
Actor in Film Scene (uncredited)
- 1940
Flight Command
Lieut. Freddy Townsend
Gallant Sons
Spath, a Gangster (uncredited)
Sky Murder
Gus
Wyoming
Sgt. Reynolds
I Love You Again
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Sporting Blood
Ted Milner
Phantom Raiders
Sailor
Florian
Sergeant
Broadway Melody of 1940
Harmon (uncredited)
Pound Foolish
Marshall-Agent in Antwerp
1930s
- 1939
The Secret of Dr. Kildare
Bates (uncredited)
Another Thin Man
State Trooper (uncredited)
Fast and Furious
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Miracles for Sale
Spectator in Theatre Box
It's a Wonderful World
Actor as 'Soldier' (uncredited)
The Hardys Ride High
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Broadway Serenade
Assistant Stage Manager (uncredited)
The Story of Dr. Jenner
Sarah's Sweetheart (uncredited)
Within the Law
Green's Clerk
The Ice Follies of 1939
Assistant Doorman (uncredited)
Four Girls in White
Doctor at Accident
Stand Up and Fight
Lewis, Arnold's Henchman
- 1938
The Mad Miss Manton
Drunk Who Trips in Las Palmas Club (uncredited)
- 1937
When Love Is Young
Norman Crocker
- 1936
Crash Donovan
Tony
Women Are Trouble
Reporter
Fury
Governor's Aide (uncredited)
Speed
Intern Attending Terry
The Perfect Set-Up
MGM Crime Reporter Jim (uncredited)
Exclusive Story
Kent (uncredited)
- 1935
A Thrill for Thelma
MGM Reporter
She Couldn't Take It
Cesar
Murder in the Fleet
Pee Wee Adams (Uncredited)
- 1934
The Band Plays On
Rosy Rosenberg
My Grandfather's Clock
Ronny Belvedere
The Spectacle Maker
The Grand Duke as Seen thru the Magic Spectacle
Appearances1
1950s
- 1955
