G. D. Spradlin
| G. D. Spradlin | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
Gervase Duan Spradlin August 31, 1920 Pauls Valley, Oklahoma |
| Died | July 24, 2011 (aged 90) San Luis Obispo, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Oklahoma |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1966–1999 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Nell Spradlin (?–2000; her death), Frances Hendrickson (2002–2011; his death) |
| Children | Two |
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Gervase Duan "G.D." Spradlin (August 31, 1920 – July 24, 2011) was an American actor. Known for his distinctive accent and voice, he often played devious authority figures. He is credited in over 70 television and film productions, and performed alongside actors including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Charlton Heston, George C. Scott, and Johnny Depp.
Spradlin was born August 31, 1920, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. His parents both worked as schoolteachers. Spradlin obtained his bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma. He was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity. He then served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II, where he was stationed in China.
Following World War II, Spradlin returned to the University of Oklahoma, where he completed a law degree in 1948. He first began his career as an attorney working in Venezuela and then became an independent oil producer forming Rouge Oil Company. Before he turned to acting he was active in local politics campaigning for John F. Kennedy in 1959. He joined the Oklahoma Repertory Theatre in 1964.
A notable break for Spradlin resulted from his work in television in the 1960s. Fred Roos had cast Spradlin in such television shows as I Spy (as the immediate superior of Pentagon spies Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott in the episode "Tonia"), Mannix (in an uncredited role as Senator Sid Abernathy in the episode "Turn Every Stone"), and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.. Spradlin portrayed Commander Maurice E. "Germany" Curts, Communications Officer, U.S. Pacific Fleet, in an uncredited role in Tora! Tora! Tora! in 1970. He was also in the late Sixties counter -culture film Zabriskie Point (1970). He worked with Jack Webb on the series Dragnet, playing multiple roles from a safecracker to a low-level con man.
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