Sorrell Booke | |
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Sorrell Booke in trailer for Devil Times Five (1974)
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Born |
Olean, New York, U.S. |
January 4, 1930
Died | February 11, 1994 Sherman Oaks, California, U.S. |
(aged 64)
Cause of death | Colorectal cancer |
Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery |
Alma mater |
Yale University Columbia University |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1952–1994 |
Spouse(s) | Miranda Knickerbocker (1958–1973; divorced) |
Children | Alexandra (daughter) and Nicholas (son) |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Sorrell Booke (January 4, 1930 – February 11, 1994) was an American actor who performed on stage, screen, and television. He is best known for his role as corrupt politician Jefferson Davis "Boss" Hogg in the television show The Dukes of Hazzard.
Booke was born in Olean, New York, a cousin of Max Yasgur of fame. Fluent in five languages including Russian and Japanese, Booke earned degrees from both Columbia and Yale universities. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a counterintelligence officer. Booke was married to Miranda Knickerbocker (the daughter of Hubert Renfro Knickerbocker) from 1958 to 1973. They had two children, Alexandra and Nicholas. Booke has a brother, Fred. Booke also has four grandchildren Katerina, Sam, Henry, and Milo.
Booke came to Hollywood via a theatre degree from Yale University and a decade on the New York Stage. One prominent early role was that of Senator Billboard T. Rawkins in the 1960 revival of Finian's Rainbow, a role foreshadowing his most famous character, that of Boss Hogg in The Dukes of Hazzard. During his early Hollywood acting career, Booke gained acclaim for notable supporting parts in noteworthy 1960s films such as Black Like Me, A Fine Madness, and Fail-Safe. In 1962, he was in Fiorello! and starred as the namesake's character.
In 1965, he guest starred as Sgt. Herschel Aronson in episode 19 "Faith, Hope, and Sergeant Aronson" of ABC's 12 O-Clock High military drama. He soon began focusing primarily on television roles in the 1970s and 1980s, and voice acting roles in the 1980s and early 1990s. Booke also once conducted the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.