Robert D. Sorrells (June 29, 1930 – June 11, 2019)[1][2][3] was an American television actor. He died in prison while serving an indeterminate life sentence for murder.
Robert Sorrells | |
|---|---|
 Sorrells in The Wonderful World of Disney, c. 1968 | |
| Born | June 29, 1930 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | June 11, 2019 (aged 88)[1] Vacaville, California, U.S.[1] |
| Resting place | Cremated[1] |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1959–1990 |
| Conviction(s) | Murder, attempted murder |
| Criminal penalty | 32 years to life |
Acting career edit
As an actor, Sorrells is probably best known for his role as the baseball-pitching robot Casey in the Twilight Zone episode "The Mighty Casey". Additionally, he was in 26 episodes of Ensign O'Toole. He was also known for his appearances in Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Bonanza. He later appeared in films such as Fletch and Bound for Glory.[4][5]
Murder and attempted murder convictions edit
On July 24, 2004, Sorrells was drinking in a bar in Simi Valley, California, when he became belligerent. Another patron, Arthur DeLong, forcibly escorted Sorrells from the bar. Sorrells went home, got his pistol,[6] and returned to the bar, where he shot DeLong in the back at point-blank range, killing him. Sorrells then shot a bystander named Edward Sanchez, with whom he had had no previous interaction.[7] He then fled the scene in a Volkswagen van, but was arrested a short distance away.[3]
Sorrells was charged with one count of premeditated murder and one count of attempted premeditated murder.[7] Sorrells initially pled not guilty by reason of insanity, but entered a guilty plea in May, 2005. In July, 2005 he was sentenced to 32 years to life.[7] Sorrells died in prison at Vacaville, California, on June 11, 2019, at the age of 88.
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | The Twilight Zone | Casey | Episode: "The Mighty Casey" |
| 1961 | Gunsmoke | Augie | Episode: "Apprentice Doctor" |
| 1961 | All Hands on Deck | Jones | |
| 1962 | Ichabod and Me | Blake | Episode: "The Celebrity" |
| 1962 | All Fall Down | Waiter in Sweet Shop | (scenes deleted) |
| 1962-1963 | Ensign O'Toole | White | 26 episodes |
| 1963 | Gunsmoke | Cloudy | “The Glory & The Mud” (S9E14) |
| 1963-1969 | Bonanza | Charlie / Deputy Sheriff Cyril / John Swanson / Meredith Smith / Ferguson / Sid | 5 episodes |
| 1964 | The Outer Limits | Fred | Episode: "I Robot" |
| 1965 | Morituri | Koeniger | |
| 1965 | Gunsmoke | Sled Grady | Season 10, Episode 25: "Breckinridge" |
| 1966 | Gunsmoke | Outlaw Handley | Season 12, Episode 10: "The Newcomers" |
| 1966 | Bewitched | Gus Walters | Episode: "The Horse's Mouth" |
| 1966 | The Fugitive | Curly | Episode: "The Devil's Disciples" |
| 1967 | Gunfight in Abilene | Nelson | |
| 1967 | Mosby's Marauders | Pvt. Starkey | Television movie |
| 1967 | The Ride to Hangman's Tree | Blake | |
| 1967 | The Last Challenge | Harry Bell | |
| 1968 | A Man Called Gannon | Goff | |
| 1969 | Death of a Gunfighter | Chris Hogg | |
| 1970 | San Francisco International Airport | Dan | Minor role in a TV movie pilot |
| 1970 | Mannix | Clement North | episode One for the Lady |
| 1976 | Bound for Glory | Charlie Guthrie - Woody's Father | |
| 1978 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Locke | |
| 1985 | Fletch | Marvin Stanwyk | |
| 1989 | Nowhere to Run | Mr. Kitchens |
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Robert D. Sorrells". Nautilus Cremation Services. Archived from the original on 2019-08-21. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
- ^ "SAG-AFTRA In Memoriam". SAG-AFTRA. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
- ^ a b "Robert Sorrells: Veteran Actor Sentenced For Murder". tabloidcolumn.com. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- ^ Mike Trippiedi (2012-07-20). "Not Very Famous...but should be: Robert Sorrells". notveryfamous.blogspot.co.nz. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- ^ "Actor Robert Sorrells charged in shooting". AP via USA Today. 2004-07-27. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
- ^ David K. Frasier (2013-10-22). "Robert Sorrells -- Don't Fuck with the Cowboy".
- ^ a b c "Local man, 75, sentenced to life in prison". Simi Valley Acorn. 2005-07-22. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
External links edit
 | This article about a United States film and television actor born in the 1930s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This crime-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
| | This United States biographical article related to crime is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |