Robert Sorrells
Sorrells in The Wonderful World of Disney, c. 1968
Born(1930-06-29)June 29, 1930
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 11, 2019(2019-06-11) (aged 88)[1]
Vacaville, California, U.S.[1]
Resting placeCremated[1]
OccupationActor
Years active1959–1990
Conviction(s)Murder, attempted murder
Criminal penalty32 years to life

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.

Acting career

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

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

Year Title Role Notes
1960The Twilight ZoneCaseyEpisode: "The Mighty Casey"
1961GunsmokeAugieEpisode: "Apprentice Doctor"
1961All Hands on DeckJones
1962Ichabod and MeBlakeEpisode: "The Celebrity"
1962All Fall DownWaiter in Sweet Shop(scenes deleted)
1962-1963Ensign O'TooleWhite26 episodes
1963GunsmokeCloudy“The Glory & The Mud” (S9E14)
1963-1969BonanzaCharlie / Deputy Sheriff Cyril / John Swanson / Meredith Smith / Ferguson / Sid5 episodes
1964The Outer LimitsFredEpisode: "I Robot"
1965MorituriKoeniger
1965GunsmokeSled GradySeason 10, Episode 25: "Breckinridge"
1966GunsmokeOutlaw HandleySeason 12, Episode 10: "The Newcomers"
1966BewitchedGus WaltersEpisode: "The Horse's Mouth"
1966The FugitiveCurlyEpisode: "The Devil's Disciples"
1967Gunfight in AbileneNelson
1967Mosby's MaraudersPvt. StarkeyTelevision movie
1967The Ride to Hangman's TreeBlake
1967The Last ChallengeHarry Bell
1968A Man Called GannonGoff
1969Death of a GunfighterChris Hogg
1970San Francisco International AirportDanMinor role in a TV movie pilot
1970 MannixClement Northepisode One for the Lady
1976Bound for GloryCharlie Guthrie - Woody's Father
1978The Bad News Bears Go to JapanLocke
1985FletchMarvin Stanwyk
1989Nowhere to RunMr. Kitchens

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Robert D. Sorrells". Nautilus Cremation Services. Archived from the original on 2019-08-21. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  2. ↑ "SAG-AFTRA In Memoriam". SAG-AFTRA. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  3. 1 2 "Robert Sorrells: Veteran Actor Sentenced For Murder". tabloidcolumn.com. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  4. ↑ Mike Trippiedi (2012-07-20). "Not Very Famous...but should be: Robert Sorrells". notveryfamous.blogspot.co.nz. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  5. ↑ "Actor Robert Sorrells charged in shooting". AP via USA Today. 2004-07-27. Retrieved 2012-12-30.
  6. ↑ David K. Frasier (2013-10-22). "Robert Sorrells -- Don't Fuck with the Cowboy".
  7. 1 2 3 "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.


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