Whitner Nutting Bissell (October 25, 1909 – March 5, 1996) was an American

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

Early life

Born in New York City, Bissell was the son of surgeon Dr. J. Dougal Bissell and Helen Nutting Bissell. He was educated at the Allen-Stevenson School and the

Dalton School The Dalton School, originally the Children's University School, is a private, coeducational college preparatory school in New York City and a member of both the Ivy Preparatory School League and the New York Interschool. The school is located ...

in New York City. He was related to Daniel Bissell, who was awarded the

Badge of Military Merit The Badge of Military Merit was a military award of the United States Armed Forces. It is largely considered America's first military decoration, and the second oldest in the world (after the Cross of St. George). The award was only given to non-c ...

, the predecessor of the

Purple Heart The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, w ...

, by George Washington. He trained with the Carolina Playmakers, a theatrical organization associated with the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States ...

, where he majored in drama and English.

Career

Bissell had a number of roles in

Broadway theatre Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''Th ...

, including the Air Force show ''

Winged Victory The ''Winged Victory of Samothrace'', or the ''Nike of Samothrace'', is a votive monument originally found on the island of Samothrace, north of the Aegean Sea. It is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture from the Hellenistic era, dating from the beg ...

'', when he was an airman serving in the

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

. In a film career that began with '' Holy Matrimony'' (1943), Bissell appeared in hundreds of

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

s and television episodes as a prominent

. Regularly cast in low-budget science fiction and horror films, his roles include a

mad scientist The mad scientist (also mad doctor or mad professor) is a stock character of a scientist who is perceived as " mad, bad and dangerous to know" or " insane" owing to a combination of unusual or unsettling personality traits and the unabashedly a ...

in the film ''

I Was a Teenage Werewolf ''I Was a Teenage Werewolf'' is a 1957 horror film starring Michael Landon as a troubled teenager, Yvonne Lime and Whit Bissell. It was co-written and produced by cult film producer Herman Cohen and was one of the most successful films release ...

'' (1957) and Professor Frankenstein in ''

I Was a Teenage Frankenstein ''I Was a Teenage Frankenstein'' (U.K. title: ''Teenage Frankenstein'') is a film starring Whit Bissell, Phyllis Coates and Gary Conway, released by American International Pictures (AIP) in November 1957 as a double feature with '' Blood of Dra ...

'' (also 1957). He played the attending psychiatrist who treats the protagonist, Dr. Miles Bennell, played by

Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthy (born January 26, 1965) is an American politician, serving as House Minority Leader in the United States House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as House Majority Leader under spea ...

, in ''

Invasion of the Body Snatchers ''Invasion of the Body Snatchers'' is a 1956 American science fiction horror film produced by Walter Wanger, directed by Don Siegel, and starring Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter. The black-and-white film was shot in Superscope and in the film ...

'' (1956) and appeared in ''

Creature from the Black Lagoon ''Creature from the Black Lagoon'' is a 1954 American black-and-white 3D monster horror film produced by William Alland and directed by Jack Arnold, from a screenplay by Harry Essex and Arthur Ross and a story by Maurice Zimm. It stars ...

'' (1954). Bissell appeared as a guest star in many television drama series between the early 1950s and the mid-1970s, with more sporadic appearances after that. He guest-starred in a couple of episodes of ''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in ...

''. He appeared on other syndicated series, including ''

Sheriff of Cochise ''The Sheriff of Cochise'' is an American police crime drama television series of 79 black-and-white episodes broadcast from 1956 to 1958. The show has two seasons of 39 episodes, and there is an additional standalone episode. Each episode runs ...

'', ''

Whirlybirds ''Whirlybirds'' (sometimes called ''The Whirlybirds'' or ''Copter Patrol'') is a syndicated American drama/adventure television series, which aired for 111 episodes — broadcast from February 4, 1957, through January 18, 1960. It was pro ...

'', '' Peyton Place'' and ''

The Brothers Brannagan ''The Brothers Brannagan'' is an American crime drama television series that aired in syndication from September 24, 1960, to July 15, 1961. Synopsis ''The Brothers Brannagan'' features fictitious detectives Mike and Bob Brannagan, portrayed, re ...

''. He was cast in the religion series ''

Crossroads Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to: * Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...

'' and ''

Going My Way ''Going My Way'' is a 1944 American musical comedy drama film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. Written by Frank Butler and Frank Cavett based on a story by McCarey, the film is about a new young priest tak ...

'', and in the

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...

education drama series ''

Mr. Novak ''Mr. Novak'' is an American television dramatic series starring James Franciscus in the title role as a high school teacher. The series aired on NBC for two seasons, from 1963 to 1965. It won a Peabody Award in 1963. Synopsis The series follows ...

''. Bissell played murderer Larry Sands on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

's ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and 4 short stories, all of which involve a c ...

'' ("The Case of the Crooked Candle", 1957), along with Max Pompey in "The Case of the Lavender Lipstick" (1960), Laurence Barlow in "The Case of the Nautical Knot" (1964) and Dennison Groody in "The Case of the Carefree Coronary" (1965). He appeared in an episode of '' Mr. Adams and Eve'' in 1957 and of ''

Peter Gunn ''Peter Gunn'' is an American private eye television series, starring Craig Stevens as Peter Gunn with Lola Albright as his girlfriend, Edie Hart. The series aired on NBC from September 22, 1958, to 1960 and on ABC in 1960–1961. The seri ...

'' in 1958. He played different roles in multiple episodes of the ABC series ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television program starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show ...

'', and as Sinclair Bruder in "The Great Guy" (1956) on ''

Father Knows Best ''Father Knows Best'' is an American sitcom starring Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. The series, which began on radio in 1949, aired as a television show for six seasons and 203 episodes. Created by E ...

''. Bissell portrayed the undertaker (who sees every man, no matter his race, as "just another future customer") in the film ''

The Magnificent Seven ''The Magnificent Seven'' is a 1960 American Western film directed by John Sturges. The screenplay by William Roberts is a remake – in an Old West–style – of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 Japanese film '' Seven Samurai'' (itself initially relea ...

'' (1960). In 1960, Bissell had appeared in

George Pal George Pal (born György Pál Marczincsak; ; February 1, 1908 – May 2, 1980) was a Hungarian-American animator, film director and producer, principally associated with the fantasy and science-fiction genres. He became an American citizen after ...

's production of ''

The Time Machine ''The Time Machine'' is a science fiction novella by H. G. Wells, published in 1895. The work is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel by using a vehicle or device to travel purposely and selectively for ...

'', as Walter Kemp, one of the Time Traveller's dining friends. He also appeared in a 1978 TV movie adapting the

H. G. Wells Herbert George Wells"Wells, H. G."
Revised 18 May 2015. ''

John Zaremba John Zaremba (October 22, 1908 – December 15, 1986) was an American actor most noted for supporting roles on science fiction films and television series. The Chicago-born Zaremba was a journalist for the ''Grand Rapids Press'' and ''Chicago T ...

also appeared in the telemovie. Thirty-three years later, in 1993 the documentary film '' Time Machine: The Journey Back'' (which featured Bissell,

Rod Taylor Rodney Sturt Taylor (11 January 1930 – 7 January 2015) was an Australian actor. He appeared in more than 50 feature films, including ''The Time Machine'' (1960), ''One Hundred and One Dalmatians'' (1961), '' The Birds'' (1963), and ''In ...

and

Alan Young Alan Young (born Angus Young; November 19, 1919 – May 19, 2016) was a British, Canadian and American actor, comedian, radio host and television host, whom ''TV Guide'' called "the Charlie Chaplin of television". His notable roles includ ...

), Bissell recreated his 1960 role as Walter in the opening sequence. It was Bissell's last acting performance. From 1959 to 1961, Bissell was a regular for the third and fourth seasons of the television series '' Bachelor Father'', costarring

John Forsythe John Forsythe (January 29, 1918 – April 1, 2010) was an American stage, film/television actor, producer, narrator, drama teacher and philanthropist whose career spanned six decades. He also appeared as a guest on several talk and variety s ...

Noreen Corcoran Noreen Margaret Corcoran (October 20, 1943 – January 15, 2016) was an American film and television actress. She is best known for playing Kelly Gregg in the American sitcom television series '' Bachelor Father''. Early years Corcoran was born ...

, and

Sammee Tong Sammee Tong (April 21, 1901 – October 27, 1964) was an American film and television character actor. One of Tong's more notable roles was that of Peter Tong on the sitcom '' Bachelor Father'', which aired on all three national networks fro ...

. He appeared in an episode of '' Straightaway'' in 1961. He was cast three times on the long-running NBC western series '' The Virginian''. Bissell played General Heywood Kirk in 30 episodes in the 1966–1967 season of the science-fiction television series ''

The Time Tunnel ''The Time Tunnel'' is an American color science fiction TV series written around a theme of time travel adventure starring James Darren and Robert Colbert. The show was creator-producer Irwin Allen's third science-fiction television series and ...

''. He often played silver-haired figures of authority, here as in many other roles (as described by

AllMovie AllMovie (previously All Movie Guide) is an online database with information about films, television programs, and screen actors. , AllMovie.com and the AllMovie consumer brand are owned by RhythmOne. History AllMovie was founded by popular-cult ...

), "instantly establishing his standard screen characterization of fussy officiousness", leavened in many instances with a military bearing. Other examples of such authoritative roles as military or police officials, include appearances in ''

The Caine Mutiny ''The Caine Mutiny'' is a 1951 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk. The novel grew out of Wouk's personal experiences aboard two destroyer-minesweepers in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Among its themes, it deals with the moral ...

'', ''

The Manchurian Candidate ''The Manchurian Candidate'' is a novel by Richard Condon, first published in 1959. It is a political thriller about the son of a prominent U.S. political family who is brainwashed into being an unwitting assassin for a Communist conspiracy. Th ...

'', '' The Outer Limits'' (1963), '' Hogan's Heroes'' (1966), and ''

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. ''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'' is an American spy fiction television series produced by MGM Television, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television and first broadcast on NBC. The series follows secret agents, played by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, who wo ...

'' (1966). Bissell also appeared in Barnaby Jones; episode titled "Murder in the Doll's House" (March 25, 1973). Bissell appeared in the classic episode "

The Trouble with Tribbles "The Trouble with Tribbles" is the fifteenth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek''. Written by David Gerrold and directed by Joseph Pevney, it was first broadcast on December 29, 1967. In ...

" of ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...

'', footage of which was re-used in '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''s "

Trials and Tribble-ations "Trials and Tribble-ations" is the 104th episode of the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', the sixth episode of the fifth season. It was written as a tribute to the original series of '' Star Trek,'' in th ...

". In 1978 and 1980, Bissell appeared in two episodes of ''

The Incredible Hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...

'', first in the second-season episode "Kindred Spirits" as Professor Williams, and next (and lastly) as Professor John Zeiderman in the second part of the fourth season two-parter "Prometheus". He played a different professor in both episodes. Bissell was a guest of honor at New York City's ''Tele-Fantasy Con 1975'' on August 1 - 3, along with celebrities Noel Neill, Jim Danforth and Joseph Stefano, and spent the weekend meeting his fans and signing hundreds of autographs free of charge. He also received a life career award from the

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films is an American non-profit organization established in 1972 dedicated to the advancement of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, television, and home video. The Academy is headquarter ...

in 1994. He also served for many years on the board of directors of the

Screen Actors Guild The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) was an American labor union which represented over 100,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. On March 30, 2012, the union leadership announced that the SAG membership voted to m ...

, and represented the actors' branch of the

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS, often pronounced ; also known as simply the Academy or the Motion Picture Academy) is a professional honorary organization with the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of motio ...

board of governors.

Personal life

Bissell was married three times and had three daughters (Kathy Marden, Victoria Brown and Amanda Whiteley) and a stepson,

Brian Forster Brian A. Forster (born April 14, 1960) is an American former child actor and race car driver. He is best known as the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge in the television series ''The Partridge Family''. Biography Forster joined '' ...

. Forster was the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge on ''

The Partridge Family ''The Partridge Family'' is an American musical sitcom starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy. Jones plays a widowed mother, and Cassidy plays the oldest of her five children, in a family who embarks on a music career. It ran from Se ...

'' TV series."An Interview with Brian Forster"
at CmonGetHappy.com Wives: * Adrienne Marden (November 23, 1938 – 1954; divorced); 2 children * Dilys Mary Shan Jukes (December 5, 1954 – January 11, 1958; her death); 1 child * Jennifer Raine (November 24, 1967 – January 5, 1993; her death)

Death

Bissell died on March 5, 1996 (aged 86) at the

Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital In physics, motion is the phenomenon in which an object changes its position with respect to time. Motion is mathematically described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, acceleration, speed and frame of reference to an observer and mea ...

Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Geography Woodland Hills is in the southwestern region of the San Fernando Valley, which is located east of Ca ...

. He had suffered from

Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms becom ...

. He was interred in the

Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary is a cemetery and mortuary located in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles. It is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue in Westwood, with an entrance from Glendon Avenue. The cemetery was ...

in Los Angeles.Wilson, Scott
''Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons''
"Bissell, Whit (Whitner Nutting Bissell)". Jefferson, North Carolina, 2016, third edition, p. 65. Retrieved via

Google Books Google Books (previously known as Google Book Search, Google Print, and by its code-name Project Ocean) is a service from Google Inc. that searches the full text of books and magazines that Google has scanned, converted to text using optical c ...

, March 9, 2022. .

Broadway roles

* ''

The Star-Wagon ''The Star-Wagon'' was a 1937 Broadway drama written by Maxwell Anderson, produced and staged by Guthrie McClintic, with scenic design by Jo Mielziner and musical direction by Albert Pearl. It ran for 223 performances from September 29, 1937 to ...

'' (1937) as Park * ''The American Way'' (1939) as Karl * ''Two On An Island'' (1940) Frederic Winthorp * ''Cafe Crown'' (1942) as Walter * ''

'' (1943) as Lt. Jules Hudson

Selected filmography

*''

The Sea Hawk ''The Sea Hawk'' is a 1915 novel by Rafael Sabatini. The story is set over the years 1588–1593 and concerns a retired Cornish seafaring gentleman, Sir Oliver Tressilian, who is villainously betrayed by a jealous half-brother. After being ...

'' (1940) as Gate Guard at Palace Entrance (uncredited) *'' Holy Matrimony'' (1943) as Harry Leek (uncredited) *''

Destination Tokyo ''Destination Tokyo'' is a 1943 black and white American submarine war film. The film was directed by Delmer Daves in his directorial debut,McGee, Scott"Articles: 'Destination Tokyo' (1944)."'' TCM.com'', 2019. Retrieved: August 15, 2019. and t ...

'' (1943) as Yo Yo (uncredited) *''

'' (1944) as Lt. Hudson (uncredited) *''

The Horn Blows at Midnight ''The Horn Blows at Midnight'' is a 1945 comedy fantasy film directed by Raoul Walsh, and starring Jack Benny. Following its poor box-office, Benny often exploited the film's failure for laughs over the next 20 years in his radio and television c ...

'' (1945) as Heavenly Piccolo Player (uncredited) *''

Cluny Brown ''Cluny Brown'' is a 1946 American romantic comedy made by Twentieth Century-Fox, directed and produced by Ernst Lubitsch. The screenplay was written by Samuel Hoffenstein and Elizabeth Reinhardt based on the 1944 novel by Margery Sharp. The mu ...

'' (1946) as Archie, Dowager's Son (uncredited) *'' Somewhere in the Night'' (1946) as John (uncredited) *''

It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog ''It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog'' is a 1946 American comedy crime film starring Carole Landis, Allyn Joslyn and Margo Woode, and directed by Herbert I. Leeds.Fleming p.270 Synopsis After returning from World War II, a journalist is assigned by h ...

'' (1946) as Chester Frye (uncredited) *'' The Sea of Grass'' (1947) as Ted, the Clerk (uncredited) *'' Brute Force'' (1947) as Tom Lister *'' Night Song'' (1947) as Party Guest (uncredited) *'' A Double Life'' (1947) as Dr. Stauffer *''

The Senator Was Indiscreet ''The Senator Was Indiscreet'' is a 1947 comedy film, the only movie directed by playwright, theatrical director/producer, humorist, and drama critic George S. Kaufman. Produced by Universal Pictures it starred William Powell as a dim-witted U.S. ...

'' (1947) as Oakes *''

Another Part of the Forest ''Another Part of the Forest'' is a 1946 play by Lillian Hellman, a prequel to her 1939 drama '' The Little Foxes''. Plot synopsis Set in the fictional town of Bowden, Alabama, in June 1880, the plot focuses on the wealthy, ruthless, and innate ...

'' (1948) as Jugger *'' Raw Deal'' (1948) as Murderer *'' Canon City'' (1948) as Richard Heilman *''

That Lady in Ermine ''That Lady in Ermine'' is a 1948 American Technicolor musical film directed by Ernst Lubitsch. The screenplay by Samson Raphaelson is based on the 1919 operetta ''Die Frau im Hermelin'' by Rudolph Schanzer and Ernst Welisch. Although Lubitsc ...

'' (1948) as Giulio *''

He Walked by Night ''He Walked by Night'' is a 1948 American police procedural film noir directed by Alfred L. Werker and an uncredited Anthony Mann. The film, shot in semidocumentary tone, was loosely based on newspaper accounts of the real-life actions of Erwin ...

'' (1948) as Paul Reeves *''

Chicken Every Sunday ''Chicken Every Sunday'' is a 1949 American comedy film directed by George Seaton. The screenplay by Seaton and Valentine Davies is based on the 1944 play of the same title by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein, which was based on the memo ...

'' (1949) as Mr. Robinson / Robby *'' The Crime Doctor's Diary'' (1949) as Pete Bellem *'' Anna Lucasta'' (1949) as Stanley *'' Tokyo Joe'' (1949) as Capt. Winnow (uncredited) *''

And Baby Makes Three ''And Baby Makes Three'' is a 1949 American romantic comedy film directed by Henry Levin and starring Robert Young and Barbara Hale. Plot Jackie Walsh, recently divorced from Vernon Walsh, is told she is pregnant with Vernon's child just as s ...

'' (1949) as Party Guest (uncredited) *''

Side Street A side road is a minor highway typically leading off a main road.Main road — definition

'' (1949) as Harold Simpson *''

When Willie Comes Marching Home ''When Willie Comes Marching Home'' is a 1950 World War II comedy film directed by John Ford and starring Dan Dailey and Corinne Calvet. It is based on the 1945 short story "When Leo Comes Marching Home" by Sy Gomberg. The film won the Golden L ...

'' (1950) as Lt. M.J. Hanley — Psychiatrist (uncredited) *'' Perfect Strangers'' (1950) as Mr. Lister — Defense Attorney (uncredited) *''

Convicted In law, a conviction is the verdict reached by a court of law finding a defendant guilty of a crime. The opposite of a conviction is an acquittal (that is, "not guilty"). In Scotland, there can also be a verdict of " not proven", which is co ...

'' (1950) as States Attorney Owens (uncredited) *''

A Life of Her Own ''A Life of Her Own'' is a 1950 American melodrama film directed by George Cukor and starring Lana Turner and Ray Milland. The screenplay by Isobel Lennart focuses on an aspiring model who leaves her small town in the Midwest to seek fame and ...

'' (1950) as Rental Agent (uncredited) *'' Wyoming Mail'' (1950) as Sam *''

The Killer That Stalked New York ''The Killer That Stalked New York'' (also known as ''Frightened City'') is a 1950 American film noir directed by Earl McEvoy and starring Evelyn Keyes, Charles Korvin and William Bishop. The film, shot on location and in a semi-documentary styl ...

'' (1950) as Sid Bennet *''

The Du Pont Story ''The Du Pont Story'' is a 1950 American historical drama film directed by Wilhelm Thiele and starring Eduard Franz, Marcel Journet and Sigrid Gurie.Christiansen p.94-95 Plot Cast * Eduard Franz as Éleuthère Irénée du Pont * Marcel Journet ...

'' (1950) as Dr. Wallace Carothers *'' For Heaven's Sake'' (1950) as Doctor (uncredited) *''

The Great Missouri Raid ''The Great Missouri Raid'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Gordon Douglas and written by Frank Gruber. The film stars Wendell Corey, Macdonald Carey, Ellen Drew, Ward Bond, Bruce Bennett, Bill Williams and Anne Revere. The film w ...

'' (1951) as Bob Ford *''

The Red Badge of Courage ''The Red Badge of Courage'' is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900). Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Ove ...

'' (1951) as Wounded Officer (uncredited) *''

Tales of Robin Hood ''Tales of Robin Hood'' is a 1951 American film directed by James Tinling. The film was one of a series Robert L. Lippert wanted to make for television with R and L Productions but he ended up only making this and '' As You Were''. Filming sta ...

'' (1951) as Will Stutely *'' Sealed Cargo'' (1951) as Schuster (uncredited) *''

Night into Morning ''Night Into Morning'' is a 1951 American drama film starring Ray Milland, John Hodiak and Nancy Davis. Plot Everything is going very well for college professor Phillip Ainley (Ray Milland), who has a loving wife and son and an offer to teach a ...

'' (1951) as Monument Salesman (uncredited) *''

Lost Continent Lost lands are islands or continents believed by some to have existed during pre-history, but to have since disappeared as a result of catastrophic geological phenomena. Legends of lost lands often originated as scholarly or scientific theor ...

'' (1951) as Stanley Briggs *'' The Family Secret'' (1951) as Joe Elsner *'' Red Mountain'' (1951) as Miles *''

Boots Malone ''Boots Malone'' is a 1952 American drama film directed by William Dieterle. It stars William Holden as a down-on-his-luck sports agent and Johnny Stewart as a rich runaway who wants to become a jockey. Plot Down on his luck, jockey agent "Boot ...

'' (1952) as Lou Dyer (uncredited) *'' Hoodlum Empire'' (1952) as Filby — The Pickpocket (uncredited) *''

Skirts Ahoy! ''Skirts Ahoy!'' is a 1952 MGM musical film directed by Sidney Lanfield and starring Esther Williams, Vivian Blaine and Joan Evans. It was shot in Technicolor. The film follows the adventures of several women who join the WAVES with sequences fil ...

'' (1952) as Mr. Yarbrough (uncredited) *'' The Sellout'' (1952) as Wilfred Jackson *'' The Turning Point'' (1952) as Buck (uncredited) *'' Devil's Canyon'' (1953) as Virgil Gates *''

It Should Happen to You ''It Should Happen to You'' is a 1954 American romantic comedy film starring Judy Holliday, Peter Lawford and Jack Lemmon; it was Lemmon's first major film appearance. The film was directed by George Cukor, and partly filmed on location in New ...

'' (1954) as Robert Grau *''

'' (1954) as Dr. Edwin Thompson *''

Riot in Cell Block 11 ''Riot in Cell Block 11'' is a 1954 American film noir crime film directed by Don Siegel and starring Neville Brand, Emile Meyer, Frank Faylen, Leo Gordon and Robert Osterloh. Quentin Tarantino called it "the best prison film ever made." Plot ...

'' (1954) as Snader *''

The Shanghai Story ''The Shanghai Story'' is a 1954 American film noir crime film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Ruth Roman, Edmond O'Brien and Richard Jaeckel. It was based on a novel by Lester Yard.Goble p.954 The film's sets were designed by the art direct ...

'' (1954) as Paul Grant *''

'' (1954) as Navy psychiatrist Lt. Commander Dickson (uncredited) *''

Three Hours to Kill ''Three Hours to Kill'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by Alfred L. Werker and starring Dana Andrews, Donna Reed and Dianne Foster.

'' (1954) as Deke *'' Target Earth'' (1954) as Tom, Chief research scientist *''

Masterson of Kansas ''Masterson of Kansas'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by William Castle and starring George Montgomery, Nancy Gates and James Griffith. It was produced by Sam Katzman for distribution for Columbia Pictures. Synopsis Bat Masterson ( ...

'' (1954) as Joe the Poker Player winning against Doc Holliday (uncredited) *''

The Atomic Kid ''The Atomic Kid'' is a 1954 American black-and-white science fiction comedy film directed by Leslie H. Martinson and starring Mickey Rooney and Robert Strauss. It was distributed by Republic Pictures and produced by Maurice Duke and Mickey ...

'' (1954) as Dr. Edgar Pangborn *''

The Big Combo ''The Big Combo'' is a 1955 American film noir crime film directed by Joseph H. Lewis, written by Philip Yordan and photographed by cinematographer John Alton, with music by David Raksin. The film stars Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte and Brian Don ...

'' (1955) as Doctor (scenes deleted) *''

Not as a Stranger ''Not as a Stranger'' is a 1955 American film noir drama film produced and directed by Stanley Kramer, starring Olivia de Havilland, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra and Gloria Grahame. It is based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Morton Thomp ...

'' (1955) as Dr. Dietrich *''

The Naked Street ''The Naked Street'' is a 1955 American crime film noir directed by Maxwell Shane. The drama features Farley Granger, Anthony Quinn and Anne Bancroft. Plot Phil Regal (Anthony Quinn), a tough racketeer, pulls strings to get his pregnant unmarri ...

'' (1955) as Dist. Atty. Blaker *'' The Desperate Hours'' (1955) as FBI Agent Carson *''

Trial In law, a trial is a coming together of Party (law), parties to a :wikt:dispute, dispute, to present information (in the form of evidence (law), evidence) in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to Adjudication, adjudicate claims or d ...

'' (1955) as Sam Wiltse *''

Shack Out on 101 ''Shack Out on 101'' is a 1955 American film noir crime film directed by Edward Dein and starring Terry Moore, Frank Lovejoy, Keenan Wynn and Lee Marvin. Plot Slob (Marvin), the lecherous short-order cook at the seaside greasy-spoon diner of ...

'' (1955) as Eddie *'' At Gunpoint'' (1955) as Clem Clark *''

'' (1956) as Dr. Hill (uncredited) *''

The Proud Ones ''The Proud Ones'' is a 1956 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Robert Ryan and Virginia Mayo. The film was based on the 1952 novel by Verne Athanas who after suffering an early heart attack, he gave up ...

'' (1956) as Mr. Sam Bolton *''

Dakota Incident ''Dakota Incident'' is a 1956 American Trucolor Western (genre), Western film directed by Lewis R. Foster and starring Linda Darnell, Dale Robertson, John Lund (actor), John Lund and Ward Bond. Plot On the run after a bank robbery, Rick Largo c ...

'' (1956) as Mark Chester *''

Man from Del Rio ''Man from Del Rio'' is a 1956 American Western film directed by Harry Horner and written by Richard Carr. The film stars Anthony Quinn, Katy Jurado, Peter Whitney, Douglas Fowley, John Larch, Whit Bissell and Douglas Spencer. The film was r ...

'' (1956) as Breezy Morgan *
Cheyenne
' The Broken Pledge — Season 2, Episode 20 (06/04/1956) as Gen. Custer (credited as Whit Bissel) *''

The Young Stranger ''The Young Stranger'' is a 1957 low-budget drama film, the directorial debut of John Frankenheimer. Starring Academy Award winning actress Kim Hunter and James MacArthur, it was based on the teleplay ''Deal a Blow'' by Robert Dozier. Plot Teen ...

'' (1957) as Grubbs, Theater Manager *''

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral The gunfight at the O.K. Corral was a thirty-second shootout between law enforcement officer, lawmen led by Virgil Earp and members of a loosely organized group of outlaws called the Cochise County Cowboys, Cowboys that occurred at about 3: ...

'' (1957) as John P. Clum *''

'' (1957) as Dr. Alfred Brandon *''

Johnny Tremain ''Johnny Tremain'' is a work of historical fiction written in 1943 by Esther Forbes that is set in Boston prior to and during the outbreak of the American Revolution. Intended for teen-aged readers, the novel's themes include apprenticeship, co ...

'' (1957) as Josiah Quincy *'' The Wayward Girl'' (1957) as Ira Molson *'' The Tall Stranger'' (1957) as Adam Judson *'' Mr. Adams and Eve'' (1957) as Manager (Episode: "The Business Manager") *''

'' (1957) as Prof. Frankenstein *'' Have Gun Will Travel'' (1957) as store owner, Mr. Jonas (Episode: No Visitors) *''

'' (1957–1965) as ** Larry Sands (1957 episode The Case of the Crooked Candle) ** Max Pompey (1960 episode The Case of the Lavender Lipstick) ** Laurence Barlow (1964 episode The Case of the Nautical Knot) ** Dennison Groody (1965 episode The Case of the Carefree Coronary) *'' Gang War'' (1958) as Mark (scenes deleted) *''

The Defiant Ones ''The Defiant Ones'' is a 1958 American adventure drama film which tells the story of two escaped prisoners, one white and one black, who are shackled together and who must co-operate in order to survive. It stars Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier ...

'' (1958) as Lou Gans *'' The Black Orchid'' (1958) as Mr. Harmon *''

Monster on the Campus ''Monster on the Campus'' (a.k.a. ''Monster in the Night'' and ''Stranger on the Campus'') is a 1958 American black-and-white science fiction/ horror film from Universal-International, produced by Joseph Gershenson, directed by Jack Arnold, f ...

'' (1958) as Dr. Oliver Cole *''

No Name on the Bullet ''No Name on the Bullet'' is a 1959 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Jack Arnold, and starring Audie Murphy, Charles Drake, and Joan Evans. It is one of a handful of pictures in that genre directed by Arnold, better known for hi ...

'' (1959) as Pierce *''

Warlock A warlock is a male practitioner of witchcraft. Etymology and terminology The most commonly accepted etymology derives '' warlock'' from the Old English '' wǣrloga'', which meant "breaker of oaths" or "deceiver" and was given special applicati ...

'' (1959) as Petrix *''

Never So Few ''Never So Few'' is a 1959 CinemaScope Metrocolor war film, directed by John Sturges and starring Frank Sinatra, Gina Lollobrigida, Peter Lawford, Steve McQueen, Richard Johnson, Paul Henreid, Brian Donlevy, Dean Jones, Charles Bronson, and Ph ...

'' (1959) as Capt. Alofson — Psychiatrist *''

'' (1960) as Walter Kemp *''

'' (1960) as Chamlee the Undertaker *''

The Tom Ewell Show ''The Tom Ewell Show'', also known as ''The Trouble With Tom'', is an American situation comedy that aired on CBS during the 1960-61 television season. It depicts the challenges a husband and father faces as he resides in a household otherwise c ...

'' (1961 episode "Advice to the Lovelorn") as Harry Burton *''

Birdman of Alcatraz Robert Franklin Stroud (January 28, 1890 – November 21, 1963), known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz", was a convicted murderer, American federal prisoner and author who has been cited as one of the most notorious criminals in the United S ...

'' (1962) as Dr. Ellis *''

Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man ''Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man'' is a 1962 American adventure film directed by Martin Ritt based on Ernest Hemingway's semi-autobiographical character Nick Adams, and featuring Richard Beymer as Adams. A.E. Hotchner wrote the screenpl ...

'' (1962) as Ludstrum (scenes deleted) *''

'' (1962) as Medical Officer (uncredited) *'' The Virginian'' (1963 episode "The Final Hour") as Burns *''

Spencer's Mountain ''Spencer's Mountain'' is a 1963 American family drama film written, directed, and produced by Delmer Daves from the 1961 novel of the same name by Earl Hamner Jr. and starring Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara The supporting cast features early a ...

'' (1963) as Dr. Campbell *''

Hud Hud or HUD may refer to: Entertainment * ''Hud'' (1963 film), a 1963 film starring Paul Newman * ''Hud'' (1986 film), a 1986 Norwegian film * ''HUD'' (TV program), or ''Heads Up Daily'', a Canadian e-sports television program Places * Hud, Fa ...

'' (1963) as Mr. Burris *''

Seven Days in May ''Seven Days in May'' is a 1964 American political thriller film about a military-political cabal's planned takeover of the United States government in reaction to the president's negotiation of a disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union. The ...

'' (1964) as Sen. Frederick Prentice *'' Advance to the Rear'' (1964) as Capt. Queeg *'' Where Love Has Gone'' (1964) as Professor Bell *''

The Hallelujah Trail ''The Hallelujah Trail'' is a 1965 American Western mockumentary spoof directed by John Sturges, with top-billed stars Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Jim Hutton and Pamela Tiffin. It was based on the book of the same title (originally released as ...

'' (1965) as Hobbs *'' Fluffy'' (1965) as Dr. Braden *''

I Dream of Jeannie ''I Dream of Jeannie'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series, created by Sidney Sheldon that starred Barbara Eden as a sultry, 2,000-year-old genie and Larry Hagman, as an astronaut with whom she falls in love and eventually marrie ...

'' (1966) as Horace Sedgwick, in episode "The Fastest Gun in the East" *''

'' (1966–1967) as Lt. General Heywood Kirk *''

A Covenant with Death ''A Covenant with Death'' is a 1967 American legal drama film directed by Lamont Johnson (in his feature directorial debut), from a screenplay by Lawrence B. Marcus and Saul Levitt, based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Stephen Becker. The ...

'' (1967) as Bruce Donnelly *''

The Invaders ''The Invaders'' is an American science-fiction television series created by Larry Cohen that aired on ABC for two seasons, from 1967 to 1968. Roy Thinnes stars as David Vincent, who after stumbling across evidence of an in-progress invas ...

'' (1967) as Col.Harris, in episode "Dark Outpost" *'' 5 Card Stud'' (1968) as Dr. Cooper *'' Once You Kiss a Stranger'' (1969) as Dr. Haggis *''

Airport An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surface ...

'' (1970) as Mr. Davidson *''Justin Morgan Had a Horse'' (1972) as Mr. Mays *''

The Salzburg Connection ''The Salzburg Connection'' is a 1972 American thriller film directed by Lee H. Katzin, starring Barry Newman and Anna Karina . It is based on the 1968 novel of the same title by Helen MacInnes. It was filmed in DeLuxe Color and Panavision. The ...

'' (1972) as Jim Newhart *''

Pete 'n' Tillie ''Pete 'n' Tillie'' is a 1972 American comedy-drama film directed by Martin Ritt and starring Walter Matthau and Carol Burnett. Its advertising tagline was: "Honeymoon's over. It's time to get married." Screenwriter Julius J. Epstein was nomina ...

'' (1972) as Minister *''

Soylent Green ''Soylent Green'' is a 1973 American ecological dystopian thriller film directed by Richard Fleischer, and starring Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, and Edward G. Robinson in his final film role. It is loosely based on the 1966 science fict ...

'' (1973) as Gov. Santini *''

Barnaby Jones ''Barnaby Jones'' is an American detective television series starring Buddy Ebsen as a formerly retired investigator and Lee Meriwether as his widowed daughter-in-law, who run a private detective firm in Los Angeles, California. The show was o ...

'' (1973) as Mr. Bantree *''

Psychic Killer ''Psychic Killer'' is a 1975 American horror film directed by Ray Danton and written by Greydon Clark, Mikel Angel and Ray Danton. The film stars Paul Burke, Jim Hutton, Julie Adams, Nehemiah Persoff, Neville Brand and Aldo Ray. The film was ...

'' (1975) as Dr. Paul Taylor *''

Flood! ''Flood!'' is a 1976 American made-for-television adventure film directed by Earl Bellamy. Plot summary The earthen dam above Brownsville, Texas shows signs of imminent collapse, but the mayor, John Cutler, refuses to act. A maverick town boa ...

'' (1976) as Dr. Ted Horne *'' The Lincoln Conspiracy'' (1977) as Sen. John Conness *''

The Last of the Mohicans ''The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757'' is a historical romance written by James Fenimore Cooper in 1826. It is the second book of the ''Leatherstocking Tales'' pentalogy and the best known to contemporary audiences. '' The Pathfinder ...

'' (1977, TV Movie) as Gen. Webb *'' Casey's Shadow'' (1978) as Dr. Williamson *''

'' (1978, TV Movie) as Ralph Branly

References

External links

* * * (as Whitner Bissell) * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bissell, Whit 1909 births 1996 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male stage actors American male television actors Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery Neurological disease deaths in California Deaths from Parkinson's disease Male Western (genre) film actors Male actors from Los Angeles Male actors from New York City University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Western (genre) television actors