Ray Teal
Acting • Born 1902-01-12 – Died 1976-04-02
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ray Elgin Teal (January 12, 1902 – April 2, 1976) was an American actor. His most famous role was as Sheriff Roy Coffee on the television series Bonanza (1959–1972), which was only one of dozens of sheriffs on television and in movies that he played during his long and prolific career stretching from 1937 to 1970. He appeared in pictures such as Western Jamboree (1938) with Gene Autry, The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) with Fredric March and Myrna Loy, The Black Arrow (1948), Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole (1951) and Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) with Spencer Tracy and Burt Lancaster. Teal was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A saxophone player, he worked his way through the University of California, Los Angeles as a bandleader before becoming an actor. His longest-running role was as Sheriff Roy Coffee, a law-enforcing sheriff on Bonanza. Teal was one of the most senior members of the crew having a permanent role. He had also played a sheriff in the Billy Wilder film Ace in the Hole (1951). Teal co-starred in numerous TV westerns throughout his career: he appeared five times on Cheyenne, four times on The Lone Ranger, on The Alaskans, three times in different roles on another long-running western series, Wagon Train, on NBC's Tales of Wells Fargo, on the ABC western series Broken Arrow, five times on the ABC western comedy Maverick, on the CBS western series The Texan, the NBC western series The Californians, twice on Colt .45, once on Wanted: Dead or Alive, and as "Sheriff Clay" for a single 1960 episode of the NBC western series Riverboat, and four times on a western series about the rodeo titled Wide Country. After more than 15 years performing in films and in early television, Teal secured a recurring role as a police officer in the 1953–1955 ABC sitcom with a variety-show theme, Where's Raymond?, later renamed The Ray Bolger Show. In 1955, Teal appeared as McCanles, a ruthless cattle baron in the episode "Julesburg" of the ABC/Warner Bros. Western series, Cheyenne. Altogether, Teal appeared five times on Cheyenne. He later appeared in a guest-starring role in another ABC/WB Western series, The Alaskans. From 1957 to 1962, Teal was cast three times in different roles on the Western series, Wagon Train. He also appeared in a number of episodes of Bat Masterson, an episode of The Rifleman and later in Green Acres. In 1957, Teal played a lawman, Captain McNelly, in the episode "Sam Bass" of NBC's Tales of Wells Fargo. Teal was cast as Fenster in "The Bounty Hunters" (1957) on the ABC Western series, Broken Arrow. In 1958, Teal guest-starred "No Tears for the Dead" on the CBS Western series, The Texan. He also later appeared in the CBS sitcom, Dennis the Menace. In 1960, Teal was cast as Sheriff Roy Coffee in Bonanza, a role he played until 1972, appearing in 98 episodes, occasionally as the lead character. He also portrayed judge/dentist/shoe repairman H.G. Cogswell in Bat Masterson starring Gene Barry. He died of undisclosed causes on April 2, 1976, at age 74 in Santa Monica, California. CLR
Filmography
282 credits
Decoy
Movie • 1946
Policeman (uncredited)
Rogue Cop
Movie • 1954
Patrolman Mullins
The Princess and the Pirate
Movie • 1944
Guard (uncredited)
The Long Night
Movie • 1947
Mr. Hudson (uncredited)
Dangerous Business
Movie • 1946
Plainclothesman (uncredited)
Ace in the Hole
Movie • 1951
Sheriff
Nothing But Trouble
Movie • 1944
Police Officer (uncredited)
Black Bart
Movie • 1948
Pete (uncredited)
She Has What It Takes
Movie • 1943
Cop (uncredited)
Home Town Story
Movie • 1951
Complaining Electrical Worker (uncredited)
Circumstantial Evidence
Movie • 1945
Policeman
Tomorrow Is Another Day
Movie • 1951
Mr. Dawson
Edge of Doom
Movie • 1950
Ned Moore
Gunman's Walk
Movie • 1958
Jensen Sieverts
Band of Angels
Movie • 1957
Mr. Calloway
Jumping Jacks
Movie • 1952
W.W. Timmons
The Man from Colorado
Movie • 1948
Bartender
The Turning Point
Movie • 1952
Clint, Police Captain
Thousands Cheer
Movie • 1943
Ringmaster at Circus (uncredited)
Bathing Beauty
Movie • 1944
Maitre d' at Adams Club (uncredited)
Distant Drums
Movie • 1951
Pvt. Mohair
Blonde Alibi
Movie • 1946
Detective Jones (Uncredited)
The Captive City
Movie • 1952
Chief Gillette
Kazan
Movie • 1949
McCready
Decision at Sundown
Movie • 1957
Morley Chase
I Wouldn't Be in Your Shoes
Movie • 1948
Death Row Guard (uncredited)
The Desperate Hours
Movie • 1955
State Police Lt. Fredericks
Third Finger, Left Hand
Movie • 1940
Cameraman in Ohio (uncredited)
One-Eyed Jacks
Movie • 1961
Barney
Bristle Face
Movie • 1964
Justice Mackley
Secret Command
Movie • 1944
Shipyard Worker (uncredited)
Along Came Jones
Movie • 1945
Kriendler
Fort Worth
Movie • 1951
Gabe Clevenger
Hangman's Knot
Movie • 1952
Quincey
Whistling in Brooklyn
Movie • 1943
Traded Beaver Baseall Player (uncredited)
The Clock
Movie • 1945
Policeman
High Wall
Movie • 1947
Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
Shadow of the Thin Man
Movie • 1941
Cab Driver (uncredited)
Crime Doctor
Movie • 1943
Detective with Pipe (uncredited)
The Indian Fighter
Movie • 1955
Morgan
The Chance of a Lifetime
Movie • 1943
Policeman Joe (Uncredited)
Sudan
Movie • 1945
Slave Trader (uncredited)
The Hanged Man
Movie • 1974
Judge Homer Bayne
Montana Belle
Movie • 1952
Emmett Dalton
The Burning Hills
Movie • 1956
Joe Sutton
Home from the Hill
Movie • 1960
Dr. Carson
The Countess of Monte Cristo
Movie • 1948
Charlie
The Redhead and the Cowboy
Movie • 1951
Brock (Union agent)
Brute Force
Movie • 1947
Jackson - Guard (uncredited)
Driftwood
Movie • 1947
Mr. Perkins
About Mrs. Leslie
Movie • 1954
Barney
The Oklahoman
Movie • 1957
Jason - Stableman
The Command
Movie • 1954
Dr. Trent
Ambush at Tomahawk Gap
Movie • 1953
Doc
Bullet for a Badman
Movie • 1964
Townsman
Deadline for Murder
Movie • 1946
Frank (uncredited)
The Petty Girl
Movie • 1950
Policeman #1 (uncredited)
Cattle King
Movie • 1963
Edwin 'Ed' Winters (Teton Ranch Foreman)
The Tall Stranger
Movie • 1957
Cap
Fury at Furnace Creek
Movie • 1948
Sergeant (uncredited)
Streets of Laredo
Movie • 1949
Cantrel
Warpath
Movie • 1951
Maj. Reno (uncredited)
The Missing Lady
Movie • 1946
Interrogating Detective with Black Mustache (uncredited)
Secret Enemies
Movie • 1942
Casey (uncredited)
Hello Out There
Movie • 1949
The Husband
Harbor of Missing Men
Movie • 1950
Frank Leggett
Girl on the Run
Movie • 1958
Lt. Harper
Cattle Town
Movie • 1952
Judd Hastings
The Lion and the Horse
Movie • 1952
Dave Tracy
The Man from Bitter Ridge
Movie • 1955
Shep Bascom
Lucky Me
Movie • 1954
Thayer Crony (uncredited)
Once More, My Darling
Movie • 1949
Truck Driver
The Young Guns
Movie • 1956
Josh
One Sunday Afternoon
Movie • 1948
Policeman on bicycle
Western Jamboree
Movie • 1938
McCall
Adventures of Red Ryder
Movie • 1940
Shark
Apache Ambush
Movie • 1955
Sgt. Tim O'Roarke
Pony Post
Movie • 1940
Claud Richards
Adventure
Movie • 1945
Steve - Maritime Commissioner (uncredited)
Till the Clouds Roll By
Movie • 1946
Movie Studio Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
Anchors Aweigh
Movie • 1945
Assistant Movie Director (uncredited)
Give Me a Sailor
Movie • 1938
Sailor Playing Clarinet (uncredited)
Raw Deal
Movie • 1948
(uncredited)
Our Very Own
Movie • 1950
Jim Lynch
Posse from Hell
Movie • 1961
Banker
It Happens Every Spring
Movie • 1949
Mac (uncredited)
Whispering Smith
Movie • 1948
Seagrue
Chisum
Movie • 1970
Justice J.B. Wilson
Apache Trail
Movie • 1942
Ed Cotton
Utah Blaine
Movie • 1957
Russ Nevers
The Asphalt Jungle
Movie • 1950
Cop in Car Barn Slugged by Dix (uncredited)
Hazard
Movie • 1948
Plain Clothes Policeman in L.A. (uncredited)
Radio Patrol
Movie • 1937
Perkins
Judgment at Nuremberg
Movie • 1961
Curtiss Ives
The Wild One
Movie • 1953
Frank Bleeker
Billy the Kid
Movie • 1941
Sammy Axel (uncredited)
Carrie
Movie • 1952
Allen - Bondsman
The Guns of Fort Petticoat
Movie • 1957
Salt Pork
Star Reporter
Movie • 1939
Crook
Prairie Chickens
Movie • 1943
Sam
The Men
Movie • 1950
Man at Bar
Nazi Agent
Movie • 1942
Officer Graves (uncredited)
Ambush
Movie • 1950
Capt. J.R. Wolverson
Main Street After Dark
Movie • 1945
Cop at Finale (uncredited)
Viva Cisco Kid
Movie • 1940
Josh - Stage Holdup Man
Inherit the Wind
Movie • 1960
Jessie H. Dunlap
Strange Voyage
Movie • 1946
Capt. Andrews
Desert Fury
Movie • 1947
Bus Driver (uncredited)
The Green Hornet Strikes Again!
Movie • 1940
Chief Guard at Steel Mill
Prairie Schooners
Movie • 1940
Wolf Tanner
Tenth Avenue Angel
Movie • 1948
Mounted Train Yard Guard (uncredited)
Along the Great Divide
Movie • 1951
Deputy Lou Gray
The Phantom Stagecoach
Movie • 1957
Sheriff Ned Riorden
No Way Out
Movie • 1950
Day Deputy in Hospital Prison Ward (uncredited)
Road House
Movie • 1948
Policeman
Calling Dr. Gillespie
Movie • 1942
Detroit Policeman (uncredited)
U-Boat Prisoner
Movie • 1944
C.P.O. Shaw (uncredited)
Winchester '73
Movie • 1950
Marshall Noonan (uncredited)
The Liberation of L.B. Jones
Movie • 1970
Chief of Police
The Sea of Grass
Movie • 1947
Cattleman (uncredited)
The Black Arrow
Movie • 1948
Nick Appleyard
Trail of the Vigilantes
Movie • 1940
Deputy Sheriff
Roses Are Red
Movie • 1947
Weston
Run for Cover
Movie • 1955
Sheriff
Dead Reckoning
Movie • 1946
Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
Taggart
Movie • 1965
Ralph Taggart
Sergeant York
Movie • 1941
Marching Soldier (uncredited)
Northwest Passage
Movie • 1940
Bradley McNeil
The Wild North
Movie • 1952
Ruger
Strange Cargo
Movie • 1940
Guard (uncredited)
Kitty Foyle
Movie • 1940
Clarinet Player (uncredited)
My Favorite Brunette
Movie • 1947
State Trooper Sergeant (uncredited)
New Moon
Movie • 1940
Bondsman
The Peanut Man
Movie • 1947
Dr. Miller
I Love You Again
Movie • 1940
Watchman (uncredited)
Florian
Movie • 1940
Soldier
Melody Ranch
Movie • 1940
Henchman
Davy Crockett, Indian Scout
Movie • 1950
Captain McHale
When You're Smiling
Movie • 1950
Steve
Rusty's Birthday
Movie • 1949
Virgil Neeley
The Kid from Texas
Movie • 1950
Sheriff Rand
Wild Bill Hickok Rides
Movie • 1942
Jack Handley
Outlaws of the Panhandle
Movie • 1941
Walt Burnett
Ramrod
Movie • 1947
Ed Burma
Northwest Rangers
Movie • 1942
Poker Player
Overland Mail
Movie • 1942
Phony Indian
Undercover Maisie
Movie • 1947
Man at Union Station
They Died with Their Boots On
Movie • 1941
Barfly (uncredited)
Honky Tonk
Movie • 1941
Poker Player on Train (uncredited)
Don Winslow of the Navy
Movie • 1942
Gang Radioman Barker
Hacksaw
Movie • 1971
The Rancher
Woman of the Year
Movie • 1942
Married Sports Reporter (uncredited)
Rage at Dawn
Movie • 1955
Sheriff of Seymour
Dangerous Blondes
Movie • 1943
Detective Charlie Temple (uncredited)
Slightly Dangerous
Movie • 1943
Pedestrian lifting Peggy up (uncredited)
The Strange Woman
Movie • 1946
Alex Duncan (uncredited)
American Spoken Here
Movie • 1940
Bartender (uncredited)
Quicksand
Movie • 1950
Motorcycle Officer
None Shall Escape
Movie • 1944
Oremski
Cry of the Werewolf
Movie • 1944
Ed, a Policeman (uncredited)
The Bugle Sounds
Movie • 1942
Sergeant
The Missing Juror
Movie • 1944
Chief of Detectives at Line-Up (uncredited)
The Best Years of Our Lives
Movie • 1946
Mr. Mollett
Walk a Crooked Mile
Movie • 1948
Police Sergeant
Deep Valley
Movie • 1947
Prison Official
Bad Boy
Movie • 1949
Policeman Bob
A Gun in His Hand
Movie • 1945
Police Lt. O'Neill (uncredited)
Main Street Today
Movie • 1944
Ed a Citizen at Committee Meeting (uncredited)
Madame Curie
Movie • 1943
Driver (uncredited)
The Secret of Convict Lake
Movie • 1951
Sheriff Cromwell (uncredited)
The Miracle of the Bells
Movie • 1948
Koslick, Miner
Ode to Victory
Movie • 1943
Master Sergeant - Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
Fingers at the Window
Movie • 1942
Police Car #12 Driver (uncredited)
Strange Affair
Movie • 1944
Truck Driver (uncredited)
Escape from Crime
Movie • 1942
Gangster
The Adventures of Gallegher
Movie • 1965
Snead
Gallegher Goes West
Movie • 1966
Snead
Gallegher: The Mystery of Edward Sims
Movie • 1968
Sheriff Snead
Hollywood Canteen
Movie • 1944
Army Captain (uncredited)
Where Danger Lives
Movie • 1950
Sheriff Joe Borden (uncredited)
Convicted
Movie • 1950
Cell Block / Yard Guard (uncredited)
Oh, You Beautiful Doll
Movie • 1949
Policeman
Back to Bataan
Movie • 1945
Lt. Col. Roberts (uncredited)
Captain Kidd
Movie • 1945
Michael O'Shawn (uncredited)
Saddle the Wind
Movie • 1958
Brick Larson
Gun Crazy
Movie • 1950
California Border Inspector (uncredited)
The Wayward Girl
Movie • 1957
Sheriff
Mr. Soft Touch
Movie • 1949
Squad Car Police Officer (Uncredited)
The Bandit of Sherwood Forest
Movie • 1946
Little John
Ziegfeld Girl
Movie • 1941
Pawnbroker (uncredited)
Michigan Kid
Movie • 1947
Sergeant
Joan of Arc
Movie • 1948
Bertrand de Poulengy, a squire
The Blessed Midnight
Movie • 1956
Mr. O'Hara
Flaming Feather
Movie • 1952
Maisie Goes to Reno
Movie • 1944
Policeman (Uncredited)
Undercover Maisie
Movie • 1947
Wolf at Union Station (uncredited)
Daredevils of the Clouds
Movie • 1948
Jim Mitchell
Keep Your Powder Dry
Movie • 1945
Army Captain/Camouflage Leader (uncredited)
The Man from Colorado
Movie • 1948
Bartender (uncredited)
Cheyenne
Movie • 1947
Gambler (uncredited)
Canyon Passage
Movie • 1946
Neal Howison (uncredited)
The Soul of a Monster
Movie • 1944
Truck Driver (uncredited)
Southside 1-1000
Movie • 1950
Detective
The Harvey Girls
Movie • 1946
Conductor (uncredited)
77 Sunset Strip
TV • 1958
Cheyenne
TV • 1955
McCanles
Maverick
TV • 1957
Mart Fallon
I Dream of Jeannie
TV • 1965
Admiral Tugwell
Route 66
TV • 1960
Gunsmoke
TV • 1955
Sgt. Jones
Perry Mason
TV • 1957
Joe Downing
Lassie
TV • 1954
The Twilight Zone
TV • 1959
Mr. Franklin
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Police Lieutenant
The Monroes
TV • 1966
Everglades
TV • 1961
Klondike
TV • 1960
Augie Teege
Bus Stop
TV • 1961
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
TV • 1958
Rawhide
TV • 1959
Hennegan
The Fugitive
TV • 1963
Sheriff McNary
The Millionaire
TV • 1955
Roger Willard
Thriller
TV • 1960
Sheriff Wiley
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
TV • 1951
Capt. Donovan
Frank Sinatra Show
TV • 1957
Self
Bronco
TV • 1958
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
TV • 1958
Sheriff Blaney
The Alaskans
TV • 1959
Wanted: Dead or Alive
TV • 1958
Nebro
The Rifleman
TV • 1958
Bat Masterson
TV • 1958
Virgil Gardiner
Laramie
TV • 1959
Riverboat
TV • 1959
Sheriff Clay
Wire Service
TV • 1956
Captain Gormand
Public Defender
TV • 1954
Cavalcade of America
TV • 1952
Howard
Frontier
TV • 1955
Kennicut
Panic!
TV • 1957
Lassie
TV • 1954
Jim Teal
Dennis the Menace
TV • 1959
Mr. Phillips
Zorro
TV • 1957
Vasquez (uncredited)
The 20th Century Fox Hour
TV • 1955
Bartlett
Casey Jones
TV • 1957
Pete Dunlap
87th Precinct
TV • 1961
Sam Thorpe
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
TV • 1952
Mr. Sanders
Maverick
TV • 1957
Sheriff Chick Tucker
The Wonderful World of Disney
TV • 1954
Snead
Bonanza
TV • 1959
Roy Coffee
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
TV • 1950
Lt. Boyd
Rawhide
TV • 1959
Sheriff
The Lieutenant
TV • 1963
Mr. Coolidge
Wagon Train
TV • 1957
Ray Tarback
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
TV • 1951
Linc Johnson
The Adventures of Jim Bowie
TV • 1956
Sheriff Carson Singletary
Bat Masterson
TV • 1958
H.G. Cogswell
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Warden Jacobs
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Sheriff Briggs
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Chief of Detectives
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Fire Chief
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Ben Tulip
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Jim Hale
Studio 57
TV • 1954
Marshal Frank
The Wonderful World of Disney
TV • 1954
Frank Oxford
Western von gestern
TV • 1978
Pete, 1. Bombenleger
Lux Video Theatre
TV • 1950
Chief Rowan
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV • 1955
Police Detective
Cheyenne
TV • 1955
Maj. Heffler (uncredited)
Lawman
TV • 1958
Judge Leonard Whitehall
Green Acres
TV • 1965
Mr. Grimes
Screen Director's Playhouse
TV • 1955
Farmer Clark
The Wonderful World of Disney
TV • 1954
Sheriff Snead
The Wonderful World of Disney
TV • 1954
Justice Mackley
Trackdown
TV • 1957
Ward
Shirley Temple's Storybook
TV • 1958
Judge Thatcher
The Texan
TV • 1958
Sheriff Dave Travers
The Lone Ranger
TV • 1949
Doc Grayson
The Doris Day Show
TV • 1968
Mr. Eric Ekstrom
77 Sunset Strip
TV • 1958
Captain Hobart
Trackdown
TV • 1957
Sheriff Michaels
Broken Arrow
TV • 1956
Col. McBride
The 20th Century Fox Hour
TV • 1955
Sheriff
Wagon Train
TV • 1957
Shag Dorty