Dennis Moore

Dennis Moore (January 26, 1908 in Fort Worth, Texas – March 1, 1964 in San Bernardino, California) was an actor who specialized in western films and film serials.

Early years

Moore was born Dennis Meadows and attended schools in El Paso. He was active in aviation and had a pilot's license. Before going into films, he worked in stock theater.

Career

Moore began appearing in short subjects and low-budget feature films in the 1930s under the name Denny Meadows and enjoyed greater recognition and employment after he changed his professional name to Dennis Moore.

His dark looks and solemn demeanor kept him working steadily as an all-purpose utility player, in both heroic and villainous roles. Moore became a familiar face in Westerns but never became a major star. In 1942, he co-starred for six films in PRC's "Lone Rider" series, beginning with The Lone Rider and the Bandit and ending with Overland Stagecoach.

He also appeared on television in the syndicated The Range Rider, with Jock Mahoney and Dick Jones, in the 1955 CBS series Brave Eagle with Keith Larsen, and in the 1956 episode "Panhandle" of the CBS series Tales of the Texas Rangers, with Willard Parker and Harry Lauter.

He was cast as Mr. Finley in "The Gold Watch" and as Jeb in "A Permanent Juliet" on the NBC Western series Buckskin, starring Tom Nolan, Sally Brophy and Mike Road. He was cast as Walker in the 1958 episode "Three Wanted Men" of the syndicated Western series Frontier Doctor, starring Rex Allen. At this time, he also made multiple appearances on Richard Carlson's syndicated Western series Mackenzie's Raiders.

He also guest starred on the syndicated adventure series Rescue 8, starring Jim Davis and Lang Jeffries, the crime drama U.S. Marshal, starring John Bromfield, and the NBC Western Riverboat, starring Darren McGavin.

Moore played leads or second leads in serials and holds the distinction of having appeared in the very last serials produced by Universal Pictures in 1946 and Columbia Pictures in 1956.

Later years

Moore moved with his family from Los Angeles to Big Bear Lake, operating a gift shop there.

Death

On March 1, 1964, Moore died of rheumatic heart disease.

Selected filmography