Throughout an acting career spanning five decades, Dennis Weaver has brought to television and motion pictures the distinctive qualities that have always made a star appealing to all generations....strength, sincerity, truthfulness, sensitivity and talent. You do not simply believe a Dennis Weaver performance.....you trust it. And that trust means staying power!
There was "Chester" in TV's longest running series, GUNSMOKE Here, Dennis created one of the most endearing sidekicks in the history of Westerns and won an Emmy in 1959 in the process. After nine years on that mega hit show, Dennis traded in his patented and now world famous "limp" for stardom in such series as GENTLE BEN, KENTUCKY JONES, EMERALD POINT N.A.S., STONE, BUCK JAMES *and of course, MCCLOUD, the role that brought him three Emmy nominations.
Along the way, Dennis saw the television movie evolve into real maturity and went on to star in such films as AMBER WAVES, ISHI: THE LAST OF HIS TRIBE and the unforgettable DUEL, directed by Steven Spielberg. These three films have been cited by critic Tom Shales of the Washington Post as being among the "ten best TV movies ever made."
A prolific and versatile actor, Dennis adds to his enviable list of credits such TV movies as COCAINE: ONE MAN'S SEDUCTION, THE ORDEAL OF DR. MUDD, INTIMATE STRANGERS, THE ORDEAL OF PATTY HEARST, A WINNER NEVER QUITS, THE DAY THE LOVING STOPPED, THE FORGOTEN MAN, 
ROLLING MAN, FEMALE ARTILLERY and the powerful BLUFFING IT in which he flawlessly portrayed an adult illiterate, bringing much attention to the serious issue of illiteracy in this country. No stranger to any television format, he was seen in leading roles in many miniseries, including PEARL and CENTENNIAL (The Longhorns). Dennis has also appeared as "Buffalo Bill" in the television series of Lonesome Dove.
On the silver screen, Dennis appeared in Orson Welles' 1957 classic, TOUCH OF EVIL in addition to TEN WANTED MEN, SEVEN ANGRY MEN, DRAGNET, WAY, WAY OUT, THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI, A MAN CALLED SLEDGE and DUEL AT DIABLO, etc.
On the comedic side, Dennis has demonstrated his talents on "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour," "The Flip Wilson Show," "The Dean Martin Show "and "Hee-Haw." His singing and song writing abilities have been shown on several television music specials and he also was the host for a syndicated series of "Country Top 20" specials. His love for country music is ever present....his newest release, "Make Love To Life," features many of his own
environmental compositions...and some good ole down home humor. More recently, in MASTERGATE, a
satirical play on words about the Iran-Contra Hearings, written by Larry Gelbart of "Mash" fame, Dennis portrayed the Vice President. "Mastergate" aired on Showtime.
Born and raised in Joplin, Missouri, Dennis married his childhood sweetheart, Gerry Stowell, in 1945. They have three sons, Rick, Rob and Rusty.....and are the proud grandparents of Jennifer,Travis and Jess.
Dennis was one of the Midwest's top collegiate track and field athletes and in 1948 placed sixth in the decathlon at the national tryouts for the Olympic Games. But acting was his chosen career and Dennis went to New York in search of opportunities. He was accepted into New York's famed Actors Studio and made his Broadway debut in OUT West of 8th, directed by Burgess Meredith. He went on to tour nationally with Shirley Booth and Sidney Blackmer in William Inge's prizewinning play, COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA. After several other appearances on the stage, including Tennessee Williams' THE GLASS MENAGERIE, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and ALL MY SONS, Dennis was signed by Universal International in 1952 and brought to Hollywood to pursue his career. Under contract to them for one year, he appeared in 14 movies. Soon he was to go on to make his indelible mark as "Chester" in GUNSMOKE. The rest, as they say, is history.