Dennis Burkley
An American character actor from Texas who appeared in numerous films and television series in a career spanning four decades.
Burkley was born in Van Nuys, California, the son of Imogene (née Ware) and Henry Burkley. He grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Career
In the 1980s and 1990s appearances, Burkley was most recognizable for his large frame ft 3 in (1.91 m), 300 lb (140 kg)), scruffy beard and Southern accent, though in more recent appearances he lost a significant amount of weight and had a less slovenly appearance in terms of hair and attire.
Though he had many film, television, and other professional acting credits, Burkley's most recognizable roles include Cal, the Texas born junkyard partner of Fred G. Sanford in the short-lived Sanford and Son sequel Sanford, as well as Dozer, a biker with a severe speech impediment who befriends Rocky Dennis and his mother in the movie Mask. Burkley provided the voice of several supporting characters on the animated television series King of the Hill (set in his native Texas).
In 2005, he wrote and directed a film titled Repetition. He played a small role in the television series My Name Is Earl. He is often mistaken for fellow character actor Mickey Jones.
Burkley died of a heart attack on July 14, 2013.
Television
Starsky & Hutch (1 episode, 1976)
Family (1 episode, 1976) as Roy Axelrod
McCloud (1 episode, 1976) as Big Mama
The Call of the Wild (1976) (TV movie)
The Rockford Files (3 episodes; 1976–1979)
Maude (3 episodes; 1976, 1978)
Quincy, M.E. (1 episode, 1977) as Thomas "Tom-Tom" Tomlinson
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1977–1978) as Mac Slattery
Baretta (1 episode, 1978) as Ronco
B. J. and the Bear (2 episodes, 1979) as Harry Cunningham
Hanging In (1979) as Sam Dickey
The Dukes of Hazzard (1980) Find Loretta Lynn (Bubba) and (1985) Strange Visitor to Hazzard (Mickey Larsen)
Sanford (1980–1981) as Cal Pettie
The Greatest American Hero (1 episode, 1981)
Gimme a Break (Season 2, Episode 6, 1982)
Hill Street Blues (1983), recurring role as Sonny Crockett
Who's the Boss? (1986, 1989)
Four Eyes and Six Guns (1992) (TV movie)
King of the Hill (1997–2010), recurring role as Principal Moss
The Drew Carey Show (1 episode, 2001)
ER (1 episode, 1995)
My Name is Earl (2005–2008)
Filmography
Stay Hungry (1976)
Heroes (1977)
Laserblast (1978)
Mask (1985)
Murphy's Romance (1985)
Stewardess School (1986)
Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987)
Who's That Girl (1987)
Malone (1987)
No Way Out (1987)
Pass the Ammo (1988)
Fletch Lives (1989)
An Innocent Man (1989)
Lambada (1990)
The End of Innocence (1990) |