Dick Wesson (actor)

Dick Wesson (born Richard Lewis Wesson 20 February 1919 Boston, Massachusetts died of a heart attack 25 April 1996 in Rancho Mirage California) was a prolific character actor, comedian, comedy writer, and producer. The dark haired man with a flat top haircut was frequently confused with announcer Dick Wesson.

Biography
A comedian, impressionist and singer, Wesson appeared with his brother Gene (1921-1975) in a comedy act appropriately called "The Wesson Brothers". They had some hit records such as "Oodles of Boodle" and "All Right Louie, Drop the Gun". In 1949 Dick Wesson became a television series regular with Jim Backus in Hollywood House.

Making his film debut as a wisecracking astronaut in Destination Moon, Dick Wesson was soon signed to a contract as a supporting actor with Warner Brothers. Wesson played comedy relief in all his films, frequently as a World War II soldier in Breakthrough and Force of Arms and in the Old West with Man Behind the Gun and The Charge at Feather River. Wesson's most known role was as Francis Fryer in Calamity Jane (film).

Wesson moved to American television appearing as Jackie Cooper's ex-Marine sidekick Rollo in The People's Choice (TV series) and later as Frank Crenshaw in Paul Henning's The Bob Cummings Show. Wesson began writing The Bob Cummings Show and later The Beverly Hillbillies where he appeared as a taxi driver. He produced My Sister Eileen (TV series) and many episodes of Petticoat Junction with Wesson directing several shows of both series.