Official web site of Dennis Weaver^® actor, humanitarian, environmentalist

In his twenties, as a member of the famed Actors Studio, Dennis made his Broadway acting 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," and also appeared on on state in several other plays including Tennessee Williams "The Glass Menagerie," "A Streetcar Named Desire," and "All My sons."  During this time, Dennis also  supported his family by doing a number of odd jobs, including selling vacuum cleaners, tricycles and women's hosiery. He was soon signed by Universal Studios, however, and moved to Hollywood.

In 1952 made his film debut in the movie "The Redhead from Wyoming." Over the next three years, he played roles in a series of movies, but still had to work odd jobs to support his family. It was while delivering flowers that he heard he had landed his biggest break — the role of Chester  Goode on the new television series "Gunsmoke." The series went on to become the highest-rated and longest-running series in US television history (1955 to 1975). He received an Emmy Award in 1959 for his role in Gunsmoke.

A consumate actor, Dennis starred in nine television series, including “Gunsmoke,”  “ Gentle Ben,” and “McCloud,” for which he earned two Emmy nominations.  He also played leading roles in 40 motion pictures, including Orson Welles' 1958 masterpiece “Touch of Evil” and the 1971 TV classic “Duel,” directed by the young Steven Spielberg. Weaver's illustrious career included a term as president of the Screen Actors Guild.   More on Dennis Weaver, acting career. see Wikipedia. 

Click here for  UTube 5-part video archive of Weaver's life and career.

Dennis also released several country music albums, and in his one-man Shakespearean performances played 19 different characters. . His family-oriented comedy/variety romp stage show featured wife Gerry and singer-composer son Rusty.   He also directed several television episodes and is published as a poet and author – including his 2001 autobiography, “All the World's a Stage.”

For 14 years, as the successor to John Wayne, Dennis was chosen by James Montgomery to be  spokesman for Great Western Bank and for the past nince years has been the host of  Starz Entertainment's “Westerns” channel. His final role was in the currently-running “ Wildfire” for ABC Family Entertainment.

Weaver was a model for Hollywood humanitarianism and was dedicated to helping those less fortunate.  For 17 years he led services at the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades, California.

In 1982, with friends Valerie Harper and Tony Cacciotti, Dennis and his wife Gerry founded L.I.F.E (Love Is Feeding Everyone), which fed 180,000 people in Los Angeles each week. In 1986 he received the “Presidential End Hunger Award” from President Ronald Reagan.

A passionate environmentalist (and long-time student of yoga and meditation), Weaver moved toColorado in 1989 to construct his “ Earthship.This visionary, solar-powered hom built primarily from recycled materials, is recognized worldwide as an inspirational model for sustainable living. The documentary “ Dennis Weaver's Earthship aired on public television for years and is still available on DVD. (Order form.) In 1993, Dennis and Gerry founded the non-profit Institute of Ecolonomics a word Dennis coined to illustrate the necessary synergy between a healthy ecology and a vibrant economy in order to create a sustainable future. ( Related article.) The institute promotes alternate fuels such as hydrogen and wind power. In 2003 the Institute embarked on the “ Drive to Survive,” where Dennis led a fleet of alternative-fueled vehicles on a cross-country whistle-stop tour toWashington,D.C., to increase awareness of the need to reduce our nation's dependence on oil.  He was also involved with John Denver's WindStar Foundation and joined forceds with singer Willie Nelson to promote the development and use of farmer-grown biodiesel as a viable alternative fuel. Hear Dennis on U-Tube Video.

Weaver was also a vegetarian. Wikipedia notes that he was consistently involved with the annual Genesis Awards, created by The Ark Trust to honor those in the media who bring attention to the plight and suffering of animals. He said:      "There will come a time … when civilized people will look back in horror on our generation and the ones that preceded it: the idea that we should eat other living things running around on four legs, that we should raise them just for the purpose of killing them! The people of the future will say “meat-eaters!” in disgust and regard us in the same way we regard cannibals and cannibalism."

"Dennis Weaver, actor, humanitarian, and pioneer environmentalist, succumbed to complications from cancer February 2006 at age 81.  Surviving him are Gerry, his wife of 60 years, their three sons, Rick, Rob, and Rusty, and  three grandchildren.

Athlete, actor, humanitarian and passionate environmentalist, Dennis Weaver leaves behind a rare (for Hollywood) and long legacy of helping people and helping the planet. Never part of the wild Hollywood crowd, he devoted his life to helping others and making this a better world to live in. Although perhaps best known as an actor for his roles in "Gunsmoke" and "McCloud," his true legacy, and what he hoped most to be remembered for, is his tireless his work in fostering sustainability of our planet.