Died: 15 May 1960, Los Angeles, California, USA
Sam Buffington was a TV actor who appeared in occasional films. He was a supporting player and crammed over 40 appearances into his short career, which was cut short by his suicide at the age of 28. His balding appearance were that of a much older man, which got him parts as doctors, professors and sheriffs as well as bartenders. He was appearing in the Audie Murphy TV western series 'Whispering Smith' when he killed himself.
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Eight Cent Reward (1958) (Season 1, Episode 16) as Hap Haefer, the bartender
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Six-Up to Bannach (1959) (Season 1, Episode 19) as Abb Crawford
He was always so good. I like him as an obnoxious freeloader in a Hitchcock episode with Mildred Dunnock playing his sister. Sorry to hear of his suicide at such a young age. He could have given us many more years of excellent performances.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any further information about the specific Hitchcock episode with Mildred Dunnock/ I have never seen but would like to.
DeleteJust watched it! Season 2, Episode 35. "The West Warlock Time Capsule" It's on Netflix.
DeleteLook for it in Season 2, Episode 35, The West Warlock Timecapsule. I just watched it tonight from Netflix (Alfred Hitchcock Presents - 1956), and I also was impressed with Sam's performance. Enough that I looked him up, and found this website. I hope you see this soon. Andrea
ReplyDeleteI would appreciate any information regarding TV and/or movies with Sam Buffington. I am doing some research.
DeletePlease let me know what you come across. THX
I just watched the episode on AntennaTV, recorded yesterday's, and I did the same as you. He was so memorable I had to look him up. Ever watch American Dad? In the episode Haylias Stan hypnotizes Hayley into marrying a guy who HAD to have been based on Waldron (the mooch he played in "timecapsule"). This is the first time I saw him but recognized him immediately from American Dad. He made me hate him, which makes me love him. Sad ending to a great talent.
DeleteSam Buffington was also the star of the short lived radio program "Luke Slaughter of Tombstone". There were only 16 total episodes and it aired February 23 through June 15, 1958. The program can be downloaded or streamed free here:
ReplyDeletehttps://archive.org/details/OTRR_Certified_Luke_Slaughter_of_Tombstone
Sam Buffington starred in a short run (16 episodes) radio series LUKE SLAUGHTER of TOMBSTONE for CBS in the '50s. All 16 episodes are available for free download at the Internet Archive. Give it a listen!
ReplyDeleteWonderful show Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, and Sam Buffington had a great voice. Equal quality program with radio shows such as Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, and one or two others. Worth listening to for sure.
ReplyDeleteFor more info on Sam you may view my recent research into his life at my blog: https://sambuffington.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteyou really have done a lot of footwork. that was amazingly informative for such an actor that seemed to have nothing to read about. i had been curious about him from watching whispering smith and amazed to learn he was only in his 20s
DeleteSorry for the late reply. Thank you. I wish I could have found more though. I came to like him during the research and would really like to be able to add even more to his story. -Ray
DeleteHe is on right this minute on Whispering Smith. So young to have so much anguish to end his life. Very sad.
ReplyDeletesam is on highway patrol tuesday morning at 5am on we...i am going to dvr that show
ReplyDeleteJust watched him tonight playing a drunk in an Alfred Hitchcock episode with Joseph Cotton.
ReplyDeleteHe was a regular on Whispering Smith, the TV show starring Audie Murphy. He played the police chief.
ReplyDeleteMr. Buffington was a superb actor whose early death was a genuine
ReplyDeletetragedy. I believe he is entombed at Hollywood Memorial Park, now known as Hollywood Forever.
Just watched a Maverick episode (S1 E12) and was taken by the acting of Sam Buffington. Had never heard of him and wondered why. Eventually found your forgotten actors blog. Impressive research. Thank you for the work you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is a labour of love.
DeleteJust saw him in Perry Mason, S2;E15, “The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll.
ReplyDeleteJust saw him in Perry Mason, S2;E15, “The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll.
ReplyDeleteJust saw him in Perry Mason, S2;E15, “The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll.
ReplyDeleteJust watched Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 episode "Together" starring Joseph Cotten. Sam played a drunk man who spoke exactly like Orson Welles.
ReplyDelete