Jeff York (March 23, 1912 – October 11, 1995) was an American film and television actor who began his career in the late 1930s using his given name, Granville Owen Scofield. He was also sometimes credited as Jeff Yorke.

Career

York served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

. During his early career, the tall, dark-haired actor played characters such as Pat Ryan in the 1940 serial ''

Terry and the Pirates ''Terry and the Pirates'' is an action-adventure comic strip created by cartoonist Milton Caniff, which originally ran from October 22, 1934, to February 25, 1973. Captain Joseph Patterson, editor for the Chicago Tribune New York News Syndicate, ...

'' and was given the lead in the 1940 film ''

Li'l Abner ''Li'l Abner'' is a satirical American comic strip that appeared in many newspapers in the United States, Canada and Europe. It featured a fictional clan of hillbillies in the impoverished mountain village of Dogpatch, USA. Written and drawn b ...

''. However, he is perhaps most remembered for his role as Bud Searcy in

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...

's classic '' Old Yeller'' and its 1963 sequel '' Savage Sam''. Beverly Washburn played Lisbeth Searcy, Bud's daughter. York also appeared in ''

The Great Locomotive Chase ''The Great Locomotive Chase'' is a 1956 American adventure western film produced by Walt Disney Productions, based on the Great Locomotive Chase that occurred in 1862 during the American Civil War. Filmed in CinemaScope and in color, the fi ...

'', ''

Westward Ho, the Wagons! ''Westward Ho the Wagons!'' is a 1956 American Western film starring Fess Parker and Kathleen Crowley and produced by Walt Disney Productions. Based on Mary Jane Carr's novel ''Children of the Covered Wagon'', the film was produced by Bill Wal ...

'', and ''

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 ...

'' which were all

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney (; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film p ...

's productions. York attracted considerable attention in the mid 1950s with his television portrayal of Mike Fink, the flamboyant keelboat operator in two episodes of Disney's hugely popular '' Davy Crockett miniseries'' in the episodes "Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race" and "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates." York was cast opposite Fess Parker in the role. The first episode featured a memorable boasting contest and a keelboat race, with Fink's boat named ''The Gullywumper''; in the second, Crockett and Fink join forces to fight a band of river pirates who blame their depredations on local Indians. He also starred as mountain man/fur trapper Joe Crane in two different Disney series, ''The Saga of Andy Burnett'', adapted from the Stewart Edward White novel ''The Long Rifle'' and ''

Zorro Zorro ( Spanish for 'fox') is a fictional character created in 1919 by American pulp writer Johnston McCulley, appearing in works set in the Pueblo of Los Angeles in Alta California. He is typically portrayed as a dashing masked vigilante w ...

''. In addition, York was a guest star 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 ...

'' (2 episodes), ''Waterfront'', '' Studio 57'', ''

Medic A medic is a person involved in medicine such as a medical doctor, medical student, paramedic or an emergency medical responder. Among physicians in the UK, the term "medic" indicates someone who has followed a "medical" career path in postgra ...

'', '' Fireside Theater'', '' You Are There'' (2 episodes), '' The Californians'', ''

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 ...

'', ''

Bronco A bucking horse is any breed or either gender of horse with a propensity to buck. They have been, and still are, referred to by various names, including bronco, broncho, and roughstock. The harder they buck, the more desirable they are for rod ...

'', '' Lawman'' (2 episodes), ''

Cheyenne The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enr ...

'', ''

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 sho ...

'', ''

Outlaws An outlaw is a person living outside the law. Outlaws or The Outlaws may also refer to: Film and television Film * ''The Outlaws'' (1950 film), an Italian crime film * ''Outlaws'' (1985 film), a French film * ''The Outlaws'' (2017 film), a Sou ...

'', '' Perry Mason'' (3 episodes), ''

Daniel Boone Daniel Boone (September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He became famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, which was then beyond the we ...

'', ''

'' (3 episodes), and '' The Iron Horse''. He co-starred as "Reno McKee" with

Roger Moore Sir Roger George Moore (14 October 192723 May 2017) was an English actor. He was the third actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions film series, playing the character in seven feature films between 1 ...

Dorothy Provine Dorothy Michelle Provine (January 20, 1935 – April 25, 2010) was an American singer, dancer and actress. Born in 1935 in Deadwood, South Dakota, she grew up in Seattle, Washington, and was hired in 1958 by Warner Bros., after which she firs ...

, and

Ray Danton Ray Danton (born Raymond Caplan; September 19, 1931 – February 11, 1992) was a radio, film, stage, and television actor, director, and producer whose most famous roles were in the screen biographies '' The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond'' (196 ...

in the 1959 ABC/

Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. D ...

western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

, '' The Alaskans''. Among his three appearances on '' Perry Mason'', York played roles as the defendant in two 1961 episodes: Pete Mallory in "The Case of the Difficult Detour", and Scott Cahill in "The Case of the Traveling Treasure." In 1964, he played murderer and title character Ross Walker in "The Case of the Arrogant Arsonist."

Filmography

*1937: '' Kid Galahad'' – Reporter (uncredited) *1937: '' The Devil's Saddle Legion'' – Chris Madden *1937: ''

That Certain Woman ''That Certain Woman'' is a 1937 American drama film written and directed by Edmund Goulding and starring Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, and Anita Louise. It is a remake of Goulding's 1929 film '' The Trespasser'', Gloria Swanson's first sound film. ...

'' – Reporter (uncredited) *1937: ''

Alcatraz Island Alcatraz Island () is a small island in San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The island was developed in the mid-19th century with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and a military pri ...

'' – (uncredited) *1937: '' The Adventurous Blonde'' – Dr. Nally *1937: '' Expensive Husbands'' – Announcer at Polo Game (uncredited) *1938: ''

Start Cheering ''Start Cheering'' is a 1938 American musical film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Jimmy Durante, Charles Starrett, Joan Perry, and Walter Connolly. It is best remembered today for guest appearances throughout the film by The Three Stoog ...

'' – Student (uncredited) *1940: ''

'' – Pat Ryan *1940: ''

Golden Gloves The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States, where they are awarded a belt and a ring. And the title of nations champion is awarded. The Golden Gloves is a term used to refer to the Nationa ...

'' – George Swift (uncredited) *1940: ''

'' – Li'l Abner *1941: '' Sunny'' – Jim Day *1942: ''

Nazi Agent ''Nazi Agent'' is a 1942 American spy film directed by Jules Dassin, in his first feature-length film for MGM. It stars Conrad Veidt playing identical twins, one loyal to the United States (U.S.), the other a dedicated German Nazi. Plot The U.S ...

'' – Keeler (uncredited) *1942: '' Kid Glove Killer'' – Henchman (uncredited) *1945: '' They Were Expendable'' – Ens. Tony Aiken *1946: '' Up Goes Maisie'' – Elmer Sauders *1946: '' The Postman Always Rings Twice'' – Blair *1946: ''

Little Miss Big ''Little Miss Big'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Erle C. Kenton and written by Erna Lazarus. The film stars Beverly Simmons, Frederick Brady, Fay Holden, Frank McHugh, Dorothy Morris and Milburn Stone. The film was released on Aug ...

'' – Clancy *1946: ''

The Yearling ''The Yearling'' is a novel by American writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, published in March 1938. It was the main selection of the Book of the Month Club in April 1938. It won the 1939 Pulitzer Prize for the Novel. It was the best-selling n ...

'' – Oliver Hutto (uncredited) *1946: ''

Alias Mr. Twilight ''Alias Mr. Twilight'' is a 1946 crime drama film directed by John Sturges and starring Michael Duane, Trudy Marshall, and Lloyd Corrigan. Plot Cast * Michael Duane as Tim Quaine * Trudy Marshall as Corky Corcoran * Lloyd Corrigan as Geoffr ...

'' – Police Lt. Barton *1947: '' Fear in the Night'' – Deputy Torrence *1947: ''

Blondie's Anniversary ''Blondie's Anniversary'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. It is the twenty-second of the 28 Blondie films. Plot Dagwood is holding a watch, a gift that his bos ...

'' – Paul Madison (Class of '32) *1947: ''

Unconquered Unconquered or The Unconquered may refer to: Films * ''Unconquered'' (1917 film), a drama film by Frank Reicher * ''Unconquered'' (1947 film), an adventure film by Cecil B. DeMille * ''The Unconquered'' (documentary) or ''Helen Keller in Her Sto ...

'' – Wide-Shouldered Bond Slave (uncredited) *1948: ''

Panhandle A salient (also known as a panhandle or bootheel) is an elongated protrusion of a geopolitical entity, such as a subnational entity or a sovereign state. While similar to a peninsula in shape, a salient is most often not surrounded by water on ...

'' – Jack *1948: '' Isn't It Romantic?'' – Elmer – Burly Gent *1948: ''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight f ...

'' – Officer (uncredited) *1948: '' The Paleface'' – Big Joe *1949: ''

Knock on Any Door ''Knock on Any Door'' is a 1949 American courtroom trial film noir directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Humphrey Bogart. The picture gave actor John Derek his breakthrough role, and was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by Willard Motley ...

'' – Man (uncredited) *1949: '' Special Agent'' – Jake Rumpler *1949: '' Samson and Delilah'' – Spectator at Temple (uncredited) *1949: '' The Inspector General'' – Guard (uncredited) *1950: ''

Kill the Umpire ''Kill the Umpire'' is a 1950 baseball comedy film starring William Bendix and Una Merkel, directed by Lloyd Bacon and written by Frank Tashlin. Bendix two years earlier had portrayed baseball player Babe Ruth in the biographical film ''The B ...

'' – Panhandle Jones (uncredited) *1950: '' Father of the Bride'' – Policeman (uncredited) *1950: '' The Asphalt Jungle'' – Policeman (uncredited) *1950: ''

Surrender Surrender may refer to: * Surrender (law), the early relinquishment of a tenancy * Surrender (military), the relinquishment of territory, combatants, facilities, or armaments to another power Film and television * ''Surrender'' (1927 film), an ...

'' – Canning *1950: '' Watch the Birdie'' – Mr. Tirson (uncredited) *1950: ''Short Grass'' – Curley *1951: ''

The Redhead and the Cowboy ''The Redhead and the Cowboy'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Leslie Fenton and starring Glenn Ford and Rhonda Fleming. Plot Late in the American Civil War, the New Mexico Territory is full of spies and guerrillas for both side ...

'' – Lt. Wylie (uncredited) *1951: '' The Unknown Man'' – Jail Guard (uncredited) *1951: '' The Lady Says No'' – Goose *1952: ''

The Duel at Silver Creek ''The Duel at Silver Creek'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Don Siegel; his first film in the Western genre. It starred Stephen McNally, Audie Murphy and Faith Domergue. It was the first time Murphy had appeared in a film where he p ...

'' – Abe Cooney (uncredited) *1952: ''

Kansas City Confidential ''Kansas City Confidential'' is a 1952 American film noir and crime film directed by Phil Karlson starring John Payne and Coleen Gray. The film was released in the United Kingdom as ''The Secret Four''. Karlson and Payne teamed a year later for ...

'' – Captain McBride (uncredited) *1954: '' Demetrius and the Gladiators'' – Albus (uncredited) *1955: '' It's a Dog's Life'' – John L. Sullivan (uncredited) *1956: ''

'' – William Campbell *1956: ''

'' – Hank Breckenridge *1956: '' Davy Crockett and the River Pirates'' (TV Series) – Mike Fink *1957: ''

'' – James Otis *1957: '' Old Yeller'' – Bud Searcy *1963: '' Savage Sam'' – Bud Searcy *1967: ''Tammy and the Millionaire'' – Grundy Onyx Purewater Tate (final film role)

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:York, Jeff 1912 births 1995 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors Male actors from Los Angeles United States Army personnel of World War II