Cast & creator
William Tannen
Best known for Perry Mason, Perry Mason, Perry Mason
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William Tannen (November 17, 1911 – December 2, 1976) was an American actor originally from New York City, who was best known for his role of Deputy Hal Norton in fifty-six episodes from 1956 to 1958 of the ABC/Desilu western television series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, with Hugh O'Brian as Deputy Marshal Wyatt Earp. Tannen was also cast as Gyp Clements in the 1955 episode "The Buntline Special" of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Beginning on September 11, 1956, in the second season of the series, with the setting moved from Wichita to Dodge City, Kansas, Tannen filled the Hal Norton role. His earliest episodes were "Fight or Run", "The Double Life of Dora Hand" and "Clay Allison", the latter two based on historical figures, the saloon singer and actor Dora Hand and the gunfighter Clay Allison. Some of his appearances were uncredited. His last credited role was "Doc Holliday Rewrites History" (May 6, 1958), with Myron Healey as the frontier gunfighter and dentist Doc Holliday. His last uncredited roles aired thereafter in May and June 1958, "Dig a Grave for Ben Thompson", based on the historical figure Ben Thompson played by Denver Pyle, "Frame-up", and "My Husband". He was cast as Ike Clanton, not on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, but in the 1964 episode "After the OK Corral" of the syndicated western anthology series, Death Valley Days. Jim Davis portrayed Wyatt Earp in this particular episode. Tannen appeared twice, one role uncredited in Davis' earlier syndicated western series, Stories of the Century, including the role of Dutch Charlie in "Milt Sharp", the story of the stagecoach robber Milt Sharp.
Also known as: Bill Tannan, Billy Tannen, Bill Tannen, William J. Tannen, Bill Tanmen
137
film credits
24
television credits
161
1934–1988 · acting roles
6.6
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (161)
Showing 161 of 161 credits
Perry Mason
Police Sergeant
1957Perry Mason
Frank - Studio Guard
1957Perry Mason
Lt. Cmdr. Matt Stewart
1957
Wagon Train
Ralph Jessup
1957Wagon Train
Slater
1957
Get Smart
Admiral
1965
The Virginian
Bartender
1962
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
1955The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Deputy Hal Norton
1955
Here's Lucy
Workman #2
1968
Gunsmoke
John Hirschbeck
1955Gunsmoke
Townsman
1955
Tales of Wells Fargo
Keenan
1957
Tombstone Territory
Dr. Buell
1957
The Cisco Kid
Bix Douglas
1950
MGM Parade
Self
1955
Arrest and Trial
Mack
1963
The Adventures of Kit Carson
1951The Adventures of Kit Carson
Spade Bineham
1951
Dangerous Assignment
1952
Touch of Evil
Marcia Linnekar's Attorney (uncredited)
1958
Hey, Jeannie!
Paul Revere
1956
Gunslinger
Ben Tracy
1961
Batman
American Delegate (uncredited)
1966
The Adventures of Champion
Rustler
1955The Adventures of Champion
Logan
1955
All the King's Men
Man in City Bar (uncredited)
1949
The Three Musketeers
Traveler (uncredited)
1948
Friendly Persuasion
Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
1956
Woman of the Year
Ellis
1942
The Bad and the Beautiful
Reporter (uncredited)
1952
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Intern Fenwick
1941
Annie Get Your Gun
Barker (uncredited)
1950
Best of the Badmen
Bill - Adjutant (uncredited)
1951
Hero and the Terror
Civil Engineer
1988
I Love You Again
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
1940
The Mad Miss Manton
Drunk Who Trips in Las Palmas Club (uncredited)
1938
Tarzan's New York Adventure
Mike, an Airport Clerk (uncredited)
1942
Broadway Melody of 1940
Harmon (uncredited)
1940
Another Thin Man
State Trooper (uncredited)
1939
The Big Store
Fred Sutton
1941
It's a Wonderful World
Actor as 'Soldier' (uncredited)
1939
Fury
Governor's Aide (uncredited)
1936
Stand by for Action
Flag Lt. Dudley
1942
Kiss Me Kate
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
1953
Love Crazy
Sanitarium Attendant (uncredited)
1941
Armored Car Robbery
Officer Johnson (uncredited)
1950
A Hatful of Rain
Celia's Supervisor (uncredited)
1957
Two-Faced Woman
Missing Couple-Skier Searcher (uncredited)
1941
Law and Order
Stranger (uncredited)
1953
The Wild Man of Borneo
Actor in Film Scene (uncredited)
1941
Stand Up and Fight
Lewis, Arnold's Henchman
1939
She Couldn't Take It
Cesar
1935
The Return of Dracula
Mack Bryant - Dept. of Immigration (uncredited)
1958
Talk About a Stranger
Driggs
1952
Raiders of the Seven Seas
Ramon
1953
The Mortal Storm
Nazi Clerk
1940
Speed
Intern Attending Terry
1936
Sitting Bull
O'Connor
1954
Murder in the Fleet
Pee Wee Adams (Uncredited)
1935
Week-End at the Waldorf
Photographer (uncredited)
1945
Fingers at the Window
Devlan
1942
The Corsican Brothers
One of Lucien's Men (Uncredited)
1942
Devil Goddess
Nels Comstock
1955
The Flying Missile
Lieutenant
1950
I, the Jury
1953
For God and Country
Captain
1943
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
Mr. Franklin (voice) (uncredited)
1940
The Quick Gun
1964
The Secret of Dr. Kildare
Bates (uncredited)
1939
Main Street After Dark
Wallet-Preparer (uncredited)
1945
Dangerous Crossing
Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1953
The First Texan
President Jackson's Aide (uncredited)
1956
For Me and My Gal
France Soldier-Driver (uncredited)
1942
Joe Smith, American
Eddie
1942
The Hardys Ride High
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
1939
Fast and Furious
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
1939
99 River Street
Director
1953
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood
Casting Director / Dr. Caswell Snide (uncredited)
1945
The Ice Follies of 1939
Assistant Doorman (uncredited)
1939
I'll Wait for You
Driver
1941
Maisie Goes to Reno
Lead Man (Uncredited)
1944
Convicted
Prison Guard (uncredited)
1950
Walk a Crooked Mile
FBI Chemist
1948
Gun Duel in Durango
Larkin - Man Stealing Guns (uncredited)
1957
Noose for a Gunman
Willetts
1960
I Was an American Spy
American Captain (uncredited)
1951
Men of the Timberland
Cafe Patron (uncredited)
1941
Jesse James vs. the Daltons
Emmett Dalton
1954
Boom Town
Hotel Desk Clerk #1 (uncredited)
1940
Flight Command
Lieut. Freddy Townsend
1940
The Canterville Ghost
Jordan
1944
Three Secrets
Bobby Lynch (uncredited)
1950
The Law vs. Billy the Kid
Dave Rudabaugh
1954
Flat Top
Commander (uncredited)
1952
Four Girls in White
Doctor at Accident
1939
New Moon
Pierre
1940
A Thrill for Thelma
MGM Reporter
1935
Gallant Sons
Spath, a Gangster (uncredited)
1940
The Band Plays On
Rosy Rosenberg
1934
Miracles for Sale
Spectator in Theatre Box
1939
The Affairs of Martha
Mechanic (uncredited)
1942
Presenting Lily Mars
Eugene Shepherd
1943
Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl
Steve Castle (as Bill Tannen)
1954
Maisie Gets Her Man
Army Stage Manager (Uncredited)
1942
Florian
Sergeant
1940
Air Raid Wardens
Joseph
1943
Exclusive Story
Kent (uncredited)
1936
Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land
'Doc' Edwards
1952
Cynthia
Dingle Clerk (Uncredited)
1947
Whistling in the Dark
Robert Graves
1941
Top Gun
Torchy (uncredited)
1955
The Lady or the Tiger?
Frank R. Stockton
1942
The Great Morgan
Officer Donohue (archive footage) (uncredited)
1945
Pygmy Island
Kruger
1950
Broadway Serenade
Assistant Stage Manager (uncredited)
1939
Sunset in the West
John Kimball (as William J. Tannen)
1950
The Perfect Set-Up
MGM Crime Reporter Jim (uncredited)
1936
Nazi Agent
Ludwig
1942
Riders of the Range
Trump Dixon
1950
Pacific Rendezvous
Jasper Dean
1942
Grand Central Murder
Second Railroad Yardman (uncredited)
1942
Down in San Diego
Matt Herman
1941
Crash Donovan
Tony
1936
Blue Blood
Sparks
1951
A Gun in His Hand
Police Lab Technician Wilson (uncredited)
1945
An Innocent Affair
Gaylord
1948Eyes of the Jungle
Jeff Roper
1953
A Yank in Korea
Lt. Lewis
1951My Grandfather's Clock
Ronny Belvedere
1934
The Story of Dr. Jenner
Sarah's Sweetheart (uncredited)
1939
Within the Law
Green's Clerk
1939
Blackjack Ketchum Desperado
Dee Havalik
1956
Alaska Patrol
Dajek
1949
When Love Is Young
Norman Crocker
1937
The Tijuana Story
1957
Cairo
Mechanic at Pyramid (uncredited)
1942
Insurance Investigator
1st Hood
1951
Phantom Raiders
Sailor
1940
The Mysterious Desperado
Bart Barton
1949
Ship Ahoy
Agent Flammer
1942
High Barbaree
Officer of the Deck (uncredited)
1947
1-2-3-Go!
Taxi Driver
1941
Road Agent
Toll Gate Guard
1952
Sporting Blood
Ted Milner
1940
Dial Red O
Devon
1955
Main Street Today
Department of Transportation Representative (uncredited)
1944
Wyoming
Sgt. Reynolds
1940
The Golden Idol
Sergeant Reed
1954
Sky Murder
Gus
1940
Our Old Car
Officer Donahue (uncredited)
1946
Jack McCall, Desperado
Spargo
1953
Roaring City
Ed Gannon
1951
Pal, Canine Detective
1950
Abandoned
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
1949
Chain Gang
Harry Cleaver
1950
Women Are Trouble
Reporter
1936
Dark Shadows
McKay's Assistant (uncredited)
1944
The Spectacle Maker
The Grand Duke as Seen thru the Magic Spectacle
1934
Pound Foolish
Marshall-Agent in Antwerp
1940
El Paso Stampede
Henchman Joe
1953