Is Dennis Weaver Living or Dead?

About Dennis Weaver

Dennis Weaver was a true Hollywood icon, known for his rugged good looks and commanding presence on both the big and small screens. Born on June 4, 1924, in Joplin, Missouri, Weaver grew up in a working-class family and served in the Navy during World War II before pursuing a career in acting.

Weaver's breakthrough role came in 1955, when he was cast as Chester Goode, the loyal deputy to James Arness's Marshal Matt Dillon on the hit TV series Gunsmoke. Weaver's portrayal of the bumbling but lovable Chester endeared him to audiences and earned him an Emmy Award in 1959.

After leaving Gunsmoke in 1964, Weaver went on to star in a number of successful TV shows and movies, including the classic thriller Duel (1971), directed by a young Steven Spielberg. Weaver's performance as a hapless motorist pursued by a mysterious truck driver earned him critical acclaim and cemented his status as a leading man.

Throughout his career, Weaver was known for his commitment to environmental causes and his advocacy for alternative energy sources. He even built his own solar-powered home in Colorado in the 1970s, long before such practices were commonplace.

Weaver passed away in 2006 at the age of 81, but his legacy as a talented actor and passionate environmentalist lives on. As his Gunsmoke co-star James Arness once said of him, "Dennis was a fine actor and a fine human being. He was a joy to work with and a joy to know."

References:

- "Dennis Weaver, 81, Dies; Star of 'Gunsmoke' and 'McCloud'" The New York Times, February 28, 2006.

- "Dennis Weaver: Actor and environmentalist" The Independent, March 2, 2006.

- "Dennis Weaver" IMDb.

About Death

Weaver died of complications from cancer in Ridgway, Colorado, on February 24, 2006.