Morgan Woodward

Thomas Morgan Woodward (September 16, 1925 – February 22, 2019) was an American actor who is best known for his recurring role as Marvin "Punk" Anderson on the television soap opera Dallas and for his portrayal of Boss Godfrey, the sunglasses-wearing "man with no eyes", in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke. On another television series, Gunsmoke, he can be seen in 19 episodes, the most guest appearances of any actor on that long-running Western.

Early years

Woodward was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the third of five sons of Dr. Valin Woodward and his wife, Frances McKinley. He grew up in Arlington, Texas, graduating from high school in 1944. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he enrolled at North Texas Agriculture College, where he was active in the theater. He graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Finance. He went on to attend law school at the University of Texas at Austin. During that time he hosted a local radio talk show and sang with a barbershop quartet and a dance band.

Military service

Woodward was a member of the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He flew his first plane at the age of 16 years. He returned to the military during the Korean War in the military air transport command.

Acting career

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

One of Woodward's longest television roles was in forty-two episodes between 1958 and 1961 on the ABC television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp as the deputy/sidekick "Shotgun" Gibbs.

Woodward made a dozen guest appearances on Wagon Train between 1958 and 1965, and many appearances In Gunsmoke and Rawhide and Bonanza.

In the 1966 episode "Hugh Glass Meets the Bear" of the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days, Woodward was cast as Thomas "Broken Hand" Fitzpatrick. John Alderson played Hugh Glass, who after being mauled by a bear and abandoned by Fitzpatrick crawled two hundred miles to civilization. Victor French portrayed Louis Baptiste, with Tris Coffin as Major Andrew Henry.

Star Trek

Woodward guest starred in two episodes of the original series of Star Trek as two different characters. In the first-season episode, "Dagger of the Mind" (1966), Woodward plays Dr. Simon van Gelder, a deputy director of a facility for the criminally insane. Later, he was cast in "The Omega Glory" in Star Trek's second season, playing Captain Ron Tracey.

In articles in the magazines Starlog and Entertainment Weekly, Woodward called the role of Dr. Simon Van Gelder the most physically and emotionally exhausting acting job of his career.

Dallas

Woodward was a familiar face on the television drama series Dallas from 1980–1989. His recurring role was Marvin "Punk" Anderson. As the series progressed, Woodward's role became that of a trusted advisor to the Ewing sons.

Recording

In 1963, Woodward recorded "Heartache City" backed with "An Encouraging Word" (CRC Charter 15).

Death

Woodward died on February 22, 2019 at his Hollywood Hills house in California.

Recognition

In 2009, Woodward was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. In 1986, he was inducted into the Order of West Range of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

In 1988, he received the Golden Lariat Award at the National Western Film Festival for his contributions to the Western genre. He won the Golden Boot Award given by the Hollywood Motion Picture and Television Fund.

Selected filmography

Woodward appeared in more than 250 television shows and films throughout his acting career.

TV appearances

Woodward made many other television guest appearances, including:

Film appearances