Actor Dennis Weaver recently died at his home in Ridgway, Ouray County, Colorado (24 February 2006).

According to Weaver’s filmography and biography pages at the Internet Movie Database, he was born 4 June 1924 in Joplin, Missouri.[1] He appeared in the 1930 census as 5-year old “Billy” Weaver (indexed as “Weaner” by Ancestry.com), living with his parents Walter and Lenna Weaver, and two siblings.[2] His first film was “Horizons West” in 1952; one of his best-known roles was Chester on “Gunsmoke” from 1955 to 1964.[1] He moved to Colorado in 1989.[3] The Ouray County Clerk and Recorder’s database shows several deeds where he still used the name “Billy” (example).


[1] Dennis Weaver (I) filmography page and biography page, Internet Movie Database, <www.imdb.com/name/nm0915840/>, and <www.imdb.com/name/nm0915840/bio>.
[2] 1900 U.S. census, Jasper County, Missouri, Joplin precinct, E.D. 49-5, sheet 11B (71 back), dwelling 271, family 288 (Walter L. Weaver); National Archives microfilm T626, roll 1205.
[3] Dennis Weaver Website, Internet <www.dennisweaver.com>.
[4] Internet <ouraycountyco.gov/recording/oncoreweb/>. Currently the database only indexes documents dated 1995 and later.