Denver Pyle

Denver Pyle

1920-05-11

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

Also appears in

Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde

7.5

Maverick

Maverick

6.9

The Alamo

The Alamo

7.1

The Great Race

The Great Race

7.1

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

7.8

The Horse Soldiers

The Horse Soldiers

6.9

Johnny Guitar

Johnny Guitar

7.4

Return from Witch Mountain

Return from Witch Mountain

5.9

Cheyenne Autumn

Cheyenne Autumn

6.7

Escape to Witch Mountain

Escape to Witch Mountain

6.4

Too Late for Tears

Too Late for Tears

6.8

Shenandoah

Shenandoah

6.8

Cahill: United States Marshal

Cahill: United States Marshal

6.1

The Left Handed Gun

The Left Handed Gun

6.0

Bandolero!

Bandolero!

6.5

To Hell and Back

To Hell and Back

6.6

Home from the Hill

Home from the Hill

6.8

Rage at Dawn

Rage at Dawn

6.1

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!

5.3

The Command

The Command

6.2