Dennis Burkley

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Dennis Henry Burkley (September 10, 1945 - July 14, 2013) was an American actor. In a career spanning four decades, he appeared in numerous films and television series.

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Early life

Burkley was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Imogene (née Ware) and Henry Burkley. He grew up in Grand Prairie, Texas, and graduated from Texas Christian University.

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Career

In his 1980s and 1990s appearances, Burkley was most recognizable for his large 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and 300 lb (140 kg) frame, scruffy beard, and Southern accent. However, in later appearances, he lost a significant amount of weight and had a less slovenly appearance.

Among his many acting credits, he established himself as a talent in the 1970s with appearances on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Maude, BJ and the Bear, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo and the Rockford Files. In the 80s, he came into his own as an actor with high profile roles as Sonny Crockett on Hill Street Blues and another memorable role as Cal, the Texas-born junkyard partner of Fred G. Sanford in Sanford, the short-lived Sanford and Son sequel from 1980-1981. He played a cannibal on an episode of Night Court. He appeared as Bubba in the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard in Season 2, Episode 18, called "Find Loretta Lynn". He provided the voice of several supporting characters on the animated television series King of the Hill (set in his home state of Texas). In 2005, he wrote and directed a film titled Repetition and also played a small role in the television series My Name Is Earl.

In films, he played Dozer, a biker with a severe speech impediment who befriends Rocky Dennis and his mother in the movie Mask. Burkley appeared in the drug culture drama Rush in 1991, the Chevy Chase comedy Fletch Lives, and Sylvester Stallone's Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. He appeared in the Kevin Costner golf comedy Tin Cup.