Glenn Strange

At various times in his life a rancher deputy sheriff and rodeo performer this huge towering 6 5 beast of a man was born George Glenn Strange in Weed New Mexico on August 16 1899 but grew up a reallife cowboy in Cross Cut Texas Of Irish and Cherokee Indian descent he taught himself by ear the fiddle and guitar at a young age and started performing at local functions as a teen In the late 1920s Glenn and his cousin Taylor McPeters better known later as the western character actor Cactus Mack joined a radio singing group known as the Arizona Wranglers that toured throughout the country Gunsmoke Strange first appeared on Gunsmoke in 1960 after James Arness asked him When are you going to do a Gunsmoke I like to work with big guys During Gunsmokes sixth season Strange played a Long Branch customer in Old Faces and a cowboy in Melinda Miles Strange began playing Sam Noonan during the seventh season and continued in the role for 222 episodes In 1972 Strange was diagnosed with lung cancer but worked as long as he was able Five of his episodes were broadcast after his death His last appearance was on the November 26 1973 episode The Hanging of Newly OBrien Death On September 20 1973 at age 74 Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles California Singer Eddie Dean with whom Strange had collaborated on various songs and opening themes for films sang at Stranges funeral service as a final tribute Strange is interred at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery CLR