Dennis Weaver first gained recognition as Matt Dillon's assistant Chester Goode in the television series Gunsmoke in 1955. He remained in this role for nine years before transitioning to star in his own series, Kentucky Jones, in 1964. However, the show failed to gain widespread popularity and was cancelled after a single season.
Weaver then spent five years searching for a new role before emerging as a TV star with the 1971 series McCloud. In this show, he played Marshal Sam McCloud, a lawman from Taos, New Mexico, who worked in New York's 27th Precinct under the supervision of Chief of Detectives Peter Clifford. McCloud was known for his slow Texan drawl, cowboy hat, lasso, and sheepskin jacket, and often used unconventional methods to apprehend villains.
Between 1971 and 1977, McCloud was part of Universal's "Mystery Movie" series, which featured a rotation of productions, including Columbo, Banacek, McMillan & Wife, and Hec Ramsey. Weaver later recalled that McCloud was the kind of role he had left Gunsmoke to pursue, seeking to become a leading man rather than a secondary character.
Dennis Weaver was born in Joplin, Missouri, to a family of mixed ancestry. He grew up to be a gifted track and field athlete and studied fine arts at the University of Oklahoma. During World War II, he served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy. After the war, he turned to the stage, taking drama classes at the Actor's Studio in New York.
Weaver's early career included roles in films and television shows, mostly in westerns. However, he struggled to find significant roles until he landed several guest spots on Jack Webb's Dragnet. His breakthrough came with McCloud and the Steven Spielberg-directed Duel, a thriller in which a lone driver is stalked by a sinister petrol tanker.
Weaver later found regular work on several television shows, including Stone, Emerald Point N.A.S., and Buck James. He also served as President of the Screen Actors Guild from 1973 to 1975 and was a prominent advocate for environmental causes, including alternative energy and recycling. His Colorado home, known as "Earthship", was constructed from recycled materials.
