Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1920-05-11
Day of Death
1997-12-25
Place of Birth
Bethune, Colorado, USA
Denver Pyle
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
Filmography (122)
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
1997
Father and Scout
1994
Maverick
1994John Wayne's 'The Alamo'
1992
Delta Fever
1987
Return to Mayberry
1986
Mercur: The Town that Can't Stay Dead
1983
Legend of the Wild
1981
When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion
1979Once Upon a Starry Night
1978
How Bugs Bunny Won the West
1978
Return from Witch Mountain
1978
Legend of the Northwest
1978
Guardian of the Wilderness
1976
