Ken Mayer (June 25, 1918 – January 30, 1985) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of Major Robbie Robertson in the 1950s television series, Space Patrol.[1]
Ken Mayer | |
|---|---|
 Mayer (right) with Ed Kemmer in Space Patrol, 1954 | |
| Born | June 25, 1918 |
| Died | January 30, 1985 (aged 66) |
| Occupation | Actor |
Career
editFollowing service in the United States Army Air Corps' intelligence division, Mayer pursued acting at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, at which he garnered the "best-actor" award in 1948.[2]
In addition to being the announcer on The Pinky Lee Show,[3] Besides Space Patrol, Mayer appeared in the television series, Father Knows Best, Whirlybirds, Harbor Command, Casey Jones, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Adventures of Superman, Jefferson Drum, Cimarron City, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Rescue 8, Yancy Derringer, Gunsmoke (Episodes: “Sweet and Sour” in 1957, “Widow’s Mite” in 1958, “The Cook” in 1960 & “Mistaken Identity” in 1967), Trackdown, The Alaskans, Black Saddle, Wanted Dead or Alive, Sugarfoot, Johnny Ringo, Overland Trail, Law of the Plainsman, The Texan, Peter Gunn, Two Faces West, Cheyenne, Maverick, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Rawhide, Wagon Train, My Favorite Martian, The Virginian and Bonanza, among others.[citation needed] Mayer's work in TV commercials included those for Stroh's beer and Monroe shock absorbers.[4]
Mayer was cast as Marshal Hobe Martin in the 1962 episode, "Girl with a Gun," on the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days, hosted by Stanley Andrews. That same year Mayer appeared as Deputy Clay Friendly on The Virginian in the episode titled "The Accomplice."[5]: 431
Mayer appeared in the films Ambush at Cimarron Pass, The Miracle of the Hills, Frontier Uprising, Gun Fight, You Have to Run Fast, The Clown and the Kid, Jack the Giant Killer, Black Gold, Spencer's Mountain, The New Interns, Bonnie and Clyde, The Last Challenge and Little Big Man.[6]
He died of a heart attack on January 30, 1985, in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California at age 66.[7]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Tight Spot | Policeman | Uncredited |
| 1958 | Ambush at Cimarron Pass | Cpl. Schwitzer | |
| 1958 | I Want to Live! | Drunk at Party | Uncredited |
| 1959 | Never Steal Anything Small | Angeletti | Uncredited |
| 1959 | The Miracle of the Hills | Milo Estes | |
| 1959 | The FBI Story | Casket Salesman | |
| 1961 | Frontier Uprising | Beaver McBride | |
| 1961 | Gun Fight | Joe Emery | |
| 1961 | You Have to Run Fast | Injun George | |
| 1961 | The Clown and the Kid | Trooper | |
| 1962 | Jack the Giant Killer | Boatswain | |
| 1962 | Black Gold | Felker | |
| 1963 | Spencer's Mountain | Mr. John | |
| 1964 | The New Interns | Detective Harper | |
| 1965 | One Way Wahine | Hugo Sokol | |
| 1967 | Bonnie and Clyde | Sheriff Smoot | Uncredited |
| 1967 | The Last Challenge | Tom Garrison | Uncredited |
| 1970 | Little Big Man | Sergeant |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | “Gunsmoke” | Zack Morton | S3:E35, “Widow’s Mite” |
| 1959 | Wanted Dead or Alive | Charlie Trace | S2:E16, "Vanishing Act" |
| 1960 | Rawhide | Sam Burton | S2:E15, "Incident of the Devil and His Due" |
| 1960 | Gunsmoke | Jack Purdy | S6E14, "The Cook" |
| 1960 | Rawhide |
Swanson || S3:E8, "Incident at Poco Tiempo" | |
| 1961 | Rawhide | Thompson | S3:E23, "Incident of the Phantom Bugler" |
| 1961 | Rawhide | Joe Stapp | S3:E30, "Incident of the Wager on Payday" |
References
edit- ^ "Ken Mayer, 'Space Patrol' actor". Journal and Courier. Indiana, Lafayette. Associated Press. February 8, 1985. p. 16. Retrieved 29 December 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "GI Troupe Prepares In Loaned Bedroom". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. August 15, 1949. p. Part III - P 10. Retrieved 29 December 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 835. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
- ^ "Actor Ken Mayer, 66, of TV's 'Space Patrol'". Chicago Tribune. Illinois, Chicago. United Press International. February 8, 1985. p. 30. Retrieved 29 December 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Lentz, Harris M. (1997). Television Westerns Episode Guide: All United States Series, 1949-1996. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-7386-1.
- ^ Sandra Brennan. "Ken Mayer". AllMovie. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
- ^ "Ken Mayer, 66, Longtime Actor in Television and Movies, Dies". Articles.latimes.com. 1985-02-06. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
External links
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