Warren Vanders, 9th Cousin

 

Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the level-headed Bagby in "Rooster Cogburn" (1975). Born Warren Vanderschuit, after attaining his degree in theatrical arts from Pepperdine University, he began his career appearing as a leading man in stock companies. After being discovered by a talent scout during a stage production of "Our Town", he was brought out to several major studios for screen and voice tests. Upon being reviewed by Irvin Kerschner, he was so impressed by his blonde looks, articulate voice, and slim physique, that he arranged for him to begin a career in the film industry beginning with him appearing under his supervision per a supporting role in "Now is Tomorrow" (1958). From there, he would go on to enjoy a successful career as a notable character actor appearing in over 70 features; often typecast as cowboys, boyfriends, blue-collared guys, fathers, husbands, guards, soldiers, neighbors, landlords, faithful friends, clergymen, retail clerks, businessmen, and, in his later years, patriarchs. He appeared in such feature films as "The Great Imposter" (1960), "Rough Night in Jericho" (1967), "Stay Away, Joe" (1968), "The Price of Power" (1969), "The Revengers" (1972), "Hot Lead and Cold Feet" (1978), and "Touched" (2006). On television, he became an even more familiar face appearing in numerous guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Bronco," "Stagecoach West," "Tate," "The Barbara Stanwyck Show," "Cain's Hundred," "Empire," "Temple Houston," "Destry," "The Fugitive," "Combat!," "Mission: Impossible," "Iron Horse," "Daniel Boone," "Hawaii Five-O," "Alias Smith and Jones," "Gunsmoke," "The Waltons," "Kung Fu," "The Snoop Sisters," "Mannix," "The Rockford Files," "Little House on the Prairie," "Police Story," "How the West Was Won," "Jessica Novak," "Dallas," "Lime Street," "Cagney & Lacey," "Matlock," "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill," and "Judging Amy". During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, had been supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, was a member of the Hollywood Democratic Committee, had been a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, was a certified schoolteacher who taught at the Whittier High School District, served in the United States Navy, had been a professional boxer, had been an chairman for his local charters of the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity, and he was married to actress Dawn Bender from 1953 to 1955 (their union ended in divorce and produced no children). Upon his 2006 retirement, he spent the final years of his life being a regular attendee at autograph conventions, and was involved in charitable and religious causes, until his death from the complications of lung cancer.

Bio by: Lowell Thurgood