Press Release

Dennis Weaver, actor, humanitarian, and pioneer environmentalist, succumbed to complications from cancer February 24, it was reported today from his home inRidgway,Colorado. He would have been 82 on June 4th and is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gerry, by sons Rick, Rob, and Rusty, daughters-in-law Judith and Madison, and grandchildren Jennifer, Travis, and Jess.

Born inJoplin,Missouri, Dennis starred in 9 television series, including “Gunsmoke,” for which he won an Emmy in 1959 for his portrayal of “Chester,” and “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 served as a Naval Air Corps pilot before graduating in Fine Arts in Theater at theUniversityofOklahoma. In 1948 he was a finalist in the decathlon in the Unites States Olympic Trials. In his twenties, as a member of the famed Actors Studio, he made his Broadway acting debut in “Come Back, Little Sheba,” and was subsequently signed by Universal Studios and brought toHollywood.

Weaver's illustrious career included a term as president of the Screen Actors Guild. He 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 9 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 forHollywoodhumanitarianism 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 wife Gerry founded L.I.F.E (Love Is Feeding Everyone), which fed 180,000 people inLos Angeleseach week. In 1986 he received the “Presidential End Hunger Award” from President Ronald Reagan.  

A passionate environmentalist, Weaver moved toColoradoin 1989 to construct his “Earthship.” This visionary, solar-powered home, 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 (www.dennisweaver.com).

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.  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.  

Recently, Dennis and singer Willie Nelson joined forces to promote the development and use of farmer-grown biodiesel as a viable alternative fuel.

The Institute of Ecolonomics continues to operate and establish curricula inU.S.universities. The Institute is under the leadership of Peter LaVaute, of Ecosense Solutions (www.ecosensesolutions.com), and Rob Wood, of Missouri Southern State University (www.ecolonomics.org).