Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Denver Dell Pyle (May 11, 1920 – December 25, 1997) was an American film and television actor. He was known for portraying Briscoe Darling Jr. in several episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, and playing Jesse Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard from 1979-85. Pyle was born in Bethune, Colorado on May 11, 1920 to farmer Ben H. Pyle and his wife Maude; His brother, Willis, was an animator known for his work with Walt Disney Animation Studios and UPA. After graduating from high school, Pyle briefly attended Colorado State University, but dropped out to enter show business, moving to Los Angeles in 1940. He worked as a drummer and band member until the United States entered World War II, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Pyle was wounded in action in the Battle of Guadalcanal and received a medical discharge in 1942. Near the end of the war, he served in the United States Merchant Marine. In 1955, Pyle married Marilee Carpenter, a production assistant at 20th Century Fox. They had sons David and Tony. Marilee and Denver divorced in 1970. In 1983, Pyle married Tippie Johnston. That union lasted until his death. Pyle died of lung cancer on Christmas 1997. Memorial services were held January 6, 1998, at First Baptist Church in Waxahachie, Texas. He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Forreston Cemetery in Forreston, Texas. His remains are interred beside those of his second wife's parents, J.T. Johnston and Erin Birch Johnston. CLR
Acted in 214
1990s
- 1997
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
Uncle Jesse Duke
- 1995
- 1994
Father and Scout
George Rosebrock
1980s
- 1987
Delta Fever
Walt
- 1986
Return to Mayberry
Briscoe Darling
- 1984
- 1983
The Dukes
Uncle Jesse (voice) · 20 episodes
1970s
- 1979
- 1978
Legend of the Northwest
Abner
- 1977
- 1976
Guardian of the Wilderness
Galen Clark
The Last of Mrs. Lincoln
Senator Austin
Hawmps!
Col. Seymour Hawkins
The Adventures of Frontier Fremont
Old mountain man
- 1975
Winterhawk
Arkansas
Death Among Friends
Morgan
- 1974
Murder or Mercy
Amos Champion
The Legend of Hillbilly John
Grandpappy John
Hog Wild
Dr. Larson
- 1973
Hitched
Ben Barnstable
- 1972
Kung Fu
Dr. Joseph Colton · 2 episodes
- 1971
Mean Justice
Tom Rawling
1960s
- 1968
- 1967
Hondo
Judge Amos Blunt · 1 episode
Tammy and the Millionaire
Grandpa Mordecai Tarleton
Welcome to Hard Times
Alfie - Stage Driver
- 1966
Incident at Phantom Hill
1st Hunter
- 1965
Mara of the Wilderness
Kelly
Tammy
Mordecai Tarleton · 26 episodes
The Rounders
Bull
- 1964
Cheyenne Autumn
Sen. Henry (uncredited)
- 1963
Temple Houston
Phineas Fallon · 1 episode
Terrified
Sheriff Dixon
- 1962
Empire
Tom Rawling · 1 episode
- 1961
- 1960
1950s
- 1959
Wichita Town
TV
King of the Wild Stallions
MacGuire's Henchman
Good Day for a Hanging
Deputy Ed Moore
- 1958
The Party Crashers
Mr. Bickford
Bitter Heritage
Sam Wheeler
Fort Massacre
Collins
Jefferson Drum
Bart Resdake · 1 episode
- 1957
Casey Jones
Frank Reeder · 1 episode
Domino Kid
Bill Dragger
The Lonely Man
Brad, Red Bluff Sheriff
Gun Duel in Durango
Ranger Captain
- 1956
Yaqui Drums
Lefty Barr
The Naked Hills
Bert Killian / Narrator
I Killed Wild Bill Hickok
Jim Bailey
- 1955
Top Gun
Hank Spencer (uncredited)
Crossroads
Ockschmitt, Lou 'Dial' Harrington · 1 episode
My Friend Flicka
Alec · 1 episode
Buffalo Bill Jr.
TV
- 1954
The Yellow Mountain
(uncredited)
Drum Beat
Fairchild (uncredited)
The Boy from Oklahoma
Bagley
The Command
Infantryman (uncredited)
Ride Clear of Diablo
Reverend Moorehead
- 1953
Texas Bad Man
Tench
Vigilante Terror
Henchman Sperry
Topeka
Jonas Bailey
Column South
Confederate Spy in Yankee Uniform (uncredited)
Goldtown Ghost Riders
Bernie Malloy (uncredited)
The Lone Hand
Regulator (uncredited)
Rebel City
Greeley
Gunsmoke
Greasy (uncredited)
A Perilous Journey
Bartender
I'm the Law
TV
- 1952
The Maverick
Bud Karnes
Canyon Ambush
Tom Carlton-Replaced (credit only)
Fargo
Carey
- 1951
Hills of Utah
Bowie French
Million Dollar Pursuit
Nick Algren
Rough Riders of Durango
Henchman Lacey
- 1950
The Old Frontier
Henchman George
Customs Agent
Al
Dynamite Pass
Henchman
Federal Agent at Large
'Jumpy' Jordan
The Flying Saucer
Turner
1940s
- 1949
Flame of Youth
Lytz
Rim of the Canyon
Cash Collins (uncredited)
Hellfire
Rex
Red Canyon
Hutch
- 1948
Marshal of Amarillo
The Night Clerk
- 1947
Where the North Begins
Jim Rockwell
The Guilt of Janet Ames
Man in Opening Scene (uncredited)
Directed 1
1960s
- 1968
Appearances4
1980s
- 1983
Mercur: The Town that Can't Stay Dead
Narrator
- 1981
Legend of the Wild
Narrator (Voice)
1970s
- 1979
When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion
Self
- 1978
How Bugs Bunny Won the West
Narrator