John L. Cason

John L. Cason (July 30, 1918 – July 7, 1961), also known as Bob Cason or simply as John Cason, was an American actor active in both films and television. During his 20 year career he appeared in over 200 films and television shows. He is best known for his work on the television program The Adventures of Kit Carson, where he appeared in several roles from 1951—53.

Cason was born on July 30, 1918 in Valley View, Texas. He made his film debut, as a fighter in the 1941 classic Abbott and Costello comedy, Buck Privates. Cason was often cast as the bad guy, or henchman during his career, as in 1952's Black Hills Ambush. Most of his roles were un-credited, but he occasionally he received named billing, such as Henchman Lucas in the 1944 Western Wild Horse Phantom, as Blazer in Rimfire (1949), and as Westy in the 1953 Western, Gun Fury. Other notable films in which Cason appears include: Her Husband's Affairs (1947), starring Lucille Ball, Franchot Tone, and Edward Everett Horton; 1949's Tough Assignment, a crime film starring Don Barry; as Corporal Paluso in the classic war melodrama From Here to Eternity, starring Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, and Frank Sinatra; the 1957 comedy, Don't Go Near the Water, starring Glenn Ford and Gia Scala; and as one of Glenn Ford's henchmen in the classic Western 3:10 to Yuma, which also stars Van Heflin; Cason also appeared in several film serials, including the featured role of Hopper in 1953's The Lost Planet, the recurring role of Casey in Desperadoes of the West (1950) starring Tom Keene, and as Smoky in 1952's Son of Geronimo: Apache Avenger starring Clayton Moore. His final film performance was in the role of Suggs in yet another Glen Ford Western, 1960's Cimarron, which also stars Maria Schell.

With the advent of television, Cason began appearing in television series.His first appearance on the small screen was in 1949, in the first season of the series The Lone Ranger, appearing as a henchman. Other television series he appeared on include: Hopalong Cassidy (1952), several different roles from 1951—53 on The Adventures of Kit Carson, several appearances on The Roy Rogers Show from 1953—57, in different roles on several episodes of Judge Roy Bean in 1956, as several different guest roles on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp from 1956—59, on both Maverick and Rawhide in 1960, and on The Untouchables and Bat Masterson in 1961. His final performance was on the 1961 episode of Lawman, "By the Book", in which he played the character Brad Oliver, which aired after his death in December 1961.

Cason was killed in a car accident on July 7, 1961. He was buried in Grangeville Cemetery, in Armona, California.