William Tannen
Acting • Born 1911-11-17 – Died 1976-12-02
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.
Filmography
158 credits
I, the Jury
Movie • 1953
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Movie • 1941
Intern Fenwick
Woman of the Year
Movie • 1942
Ellis
99 River Street
Movie • 1953
Director
Air Raid Wardens
Movie • 1943
Joseph
Nazi Agent
Movie • 1942
Ludwig
Fingers at the Window
Movie • 1942
Devlan
The Canterville Ghost
Movie • 1944
Jordan
Whistling in the Dark
Movie • 1941
Robert Graves
Tarzan's New York Adventure
Movie • 1942
Mike, an Airport Clerk (uncredited)
Flight Command
Movie • 1940
Lieut. Freddy Townsend
Men of the Timberland
Movie • 1941
Cafe Patron (uncredited)
Raiders of the Seven Seas
Movie • 1953
Ramon
Law and Order
Movie • 1953
Stranger (uncredited)
Flat Top
Movie • 1952
Commander (uncredited)
I Was an American Spy
Movie • 1951
American Captain (uncredited)
The First Texan
Movie • 1956
President Jackson's Aide (uncredited)
Sitting Bull
Movie • 1954
O'Connor
The Return of Dracula
Movie • 1958
Mack Bryant - Dept. of Immigration (uncredited)
Eyes of the Jungle
Movie • 1953
Jeff Roper
Exclusive Story
Movie • 1936
Kent (uncredited)
Week-End at the Waldorf
Movie • 1945
Photographer (uncredited)
Best of the Badmen
Movie • 1951
Bill - Adjutant (uncredited)
The Three Musketeers
Movie • 1948
Traveler (uncredited)
Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land
Movie • 1952
'Doc' Edwards
Insurance Investigator
Movie • 1951
1st Hood
The Quick Gun
Movie • 1964
Pygmy Island
Movie • 1950
Kruger
I'll Wait for You
Movie • 1941
Driver
A Yank in Korea
Movie • 1951
Lt. Lewis
The Golden Idol
Movie • 1954
Sergeant Reed
An Innocent Affair
Movie • 1948
Gaylord
She Couldn't Take It
Movie • 1935
Cesar
Blackjack Ketchum Desperado
Movie • 1956
Dee Havalik
Abandoned
Movie • 1949
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Dial Red O
Movie • 1955
Devon
Speed
Movie • 1936
Intern Attending Terry
Dangerous Crossing
Movie • 1953
Ship's Officer (uncredited)
Hero and the Terror
Movie • 1988
Civil Engineer
The Bad and the Beautiful
Movie • 1952
Reporter (uncredited)
Two-Faced Woman
Movie • 1941
Missing Couple-Skier Searcher (uncredited)
The Band Plays On
Movie • 1934
Rosy Rosenberg
Four Girls in White
Movie • 1939
Doctor at Accident
The Big Store
Movie • 1941
Fred Sutton
The Tijuana Story
Movie • 1957
Stand Up and Fight
Movie • 1939
Lewis, Arnold's Henchman
Women Are Trouble
Movie • 1936
Reporter
The Ice Follies of 1939
Movie • 1939
Assistant Doorman (uncredited)
Within the Law
Movie • 1939
Green's Clerk
Broadway Serenade
Movie • 1939
Assistant Stage Manager (uncredited)
The Hardys Ride High
Movie • 1939
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
It's a Wonderful World
Movie • 1939
Actor as 'Soldier' (uncredited)
Another Thin Man
Movie • 1939
State Trooper (uncredited)
Miracles for Sale
Movie • 1939
Spectator in Theatre Box
Dark Shadows
Movie • 1944
McKay's Assistant (uncredited)
The Secret of Dr. Kildare
Movie • 1939
Bates - Intern (uncredited)
Fast and Furious
Movie • 1939
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Murder in the Fleet
Movie • 1935
Pee Wee Adams (Uncredited)
Fury
Movie • 1936
Governor's Aide (uncredited)
Main Street After Dark
Movie • 1945
Wallet-Preparer (uncredited)
All the King's Men
Movie • 1949
Man in City Bar (uncredited)
Gun Duel in Durango
Movie • 1957
Larkin - Man Stealing Guns (uncredited)
Love Crazy
Movie • 1941
Sanitarium Attendant (uncredited)
Alaska Patrol
Movie • 1949
Dajek
Touch of Evil
Movie • 1958
Marcia Linnekar's Attorney (uncredited)
Pal, Canine Detective
Movie • 1950
Broadway Melody of 1940
Movie • 1940
Harmon (uncredited)
When Love Is Young
Movie • 1937
Norman Crocker
My Grandfather's Clock
Movie • 1934
Ronny Belvedere
Wyoming
Movie • 1940
Sgt. Reynolds
The Lady or the Tiger?
Movie • 1942
Frank R. Stockton
The Mysterious Desperado
Movie • 1949
Bart Barton
The Law vs. Billy the Kid
Movie • 1954
Dave Rudabaugh
Boom Town
Movie • 1940
Hotel Desk Clerk #1 (uncredited)
Devil Goddess
Movie • 1955
Nels Comstock
Pound Foolish
Movie • 1940
Marshall-Agent in Antwerp
Cairo
Movie • 1942
Mechanic at the pyramid (uncredited)
Friendly Persuasion
Movie • 1956
Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
Gallant Sons
Movie • 1940
Spath, a Gangster (uncredited)
The Mortal Storm
Movie • 1940
Nazi Clerk
New Moon
Movie • 1940
Pierre
I Love You Again
Movie • 1940
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Florian
Movie • 1940
Sergeant
Sky Murder
Movie • 1940
Gus
Phantom Raiders
Movie • 1940
Sailor
Sporting Blood
Movie • 1940
Ted Milner
Sunset in the West
Movie • 1950
John Kimball (as William J. Tannen)
Jesse James vs. the Daltons
Movie • 1954
Emmett Dalton
Riders of the Range
Movie • 1950
Trump Dixon
The Flying Missile
Movie • 1950
Lieutenant
Road Agent
Movie • 1952
Toll Gate Guard
Chain Gang
Movie • 1950
Harry Cleaver
Down in San Diego
Movie • 1941
Matt Herman
El Paso Stampede
Movie • 1953
Henchman Joe
Jack McCall, Desperado
Movie • 1953
Spargo
Noose for a Gunman
Movie • 1960
Willetts
Roaring City
Movie • 1951
Ed Gannon
For God and Country
Movie • 1943
Captain
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
Movie • 1940
Mr. Franklin (voice) (uncredited)
The Affairs of Martha
Movie • 1942
Mechanic (uncredited)
Our Old Car
Movie • 1946
Officer Donahue (uncredited)
The Great Morgan
Movie • 1945
Officer Donohue (archive footage) (uncredited)
Batman
Movie • 1966
American Delegate (uncredited)
Stand by for Action
Movie • 1942
Flag Lt. Dudley
Joe Smith, American
Movie • 1942
Eddie
Walk a Crooked Mile
Movie • 1948
FBI Chemist
The Perfect Set-Up
Movie • 1936
MGM Crime Reporter Jim (uncredited)
A Thrill for Thelma
Movie • 1935
MGM Reporter
A Gun in His Hand
Movie • 1945
Police Lab Technician Wilson (uncredited)
Main Street Today
Movie • 1944
Department of Transportation Representative (uncredited)
Presenting Lily Mars
Movie • 1943
Eugene Shepherd
The Spectacle Maker
Movie • 1934
The Grand Duke as Seen thru the Magic Spectacle
The Corsican Brothers
Movie • 1941
One of Lucien's Men (Uncredited)
Grand Central Murder
Movie • 1942
Second Railroad Yardman (uncredited)
Crash Donovan
Movie • 1936
Tony
Three Secrets
Movie • 1950
Bobby Lynch (uncredited)
Convicted
Movie • 1950
Prison Guard (uncredited)
Armored Car Robbery
Movie • 1950
Officer Johnson (uncredited)
Talk About a Stranger
Movie • 1952
Driggs
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood
Movie • 1945
Casting Director / Dr. Caswell Snide (uncredited)
Blue Blood
Movie • 1951
Sparks
Pacific Rendezvous
Movie • 1942
Jasper Dean
Annie Get Your Gun
Movie • 1950
Barker (uncredited)
Ship Ahoy
Movie • 1942
Agent Flammer
The Mad Miss Manton
Movie • 1938
Drunk Who Trips in Las Palmas Club (uncredited)
Cynthia
Movie • 1947
Dingle Clerk (Uncredited)
A Hatful of Rain
Movie • 1957
Celia's Supervisor (uncredited)
The Story of Dr. Jenner
Movie • 1939
Sarah's Sweetheart (uncredited)
Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl
Movie • 1954
Steve Castle (as Bill Tannen)
For Me and My Gal
Movie • 1942
France Soldier-Driver (uncredited)
Maisie Gets Her Man
Movie • 1942
Army Stage Manager (Uncredited)
Maisie Goes to Reno
Movie • 1944
Lead Man (Uncredited)
1-2-3-Go!
Movie • 1941
Taxi Driver
Kiss Me Kate
Movie • 1953
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
High Barbaree
Movie • 1947
Officer of the Deck (uncredited)
The Wild Man of Borneo
Movie • 1941
Actor in Film Scene (uncredited)
Tales of Wells Fargo
TV • 1957
Keenan
Gunsmoke
TV • 1955
John Hirschbeck
The Adventures of Champion
TV • 1955
Rustler
The Adventures of Champion
TV • 1955
Logan
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
TV • 1955
Dangerous Assignment
TV • 1952
The Adventures of Kit Carson
TV • 1951
Hey, Jeannie!
TV • 1956
Paul Revere
Gunsmoke
TV • 1955
Townsman
Perry Mason
TV • 1957
Police Sergeant
Perry Mason
TV • 1957
Frank - Studio Guard
Here's Lucy
TV • 1968
Workman #2
The Virginian
TV • 1962
Bartender
Tombstone Territory
TV • 1957
Dr. Buell
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
TV • 1955
Deputy Hal Norton
Perry Mason
TV • 1957
Lt. Cmdr. Matt Stewart
The Adventures of Kit Carson
TV • 1951
Spade Bineham
The Cisco Kid
TV • 1950
Bix Douglas
Gunslinger
TV • 1961
Ben Tracy
MGM Parade
TV • 1955
Self
Get Smart
TV • 1965
Admiral
Wagon Train
TV • 1957
Ralph Jessup