Larry Pennell - wikipedia Larry Pennell For Canadian lawyer, politician, and jurist, see Lawrence Pennell. Larry Pennell Lawrence Kenneth Pennell ( 1928 - 02 - 21 ) February 21, 1928 Uniontown, Pennsylvania, U.S. August 28, 2013 ( 2013 - 08 - 28 ) ( aged 85 ) Nationality United States Other names Bud Pennell Occupation Film & television actor Professional Baseball Player Years active 1955 -- 2011 Spouse ( s ) Patricia Throop Lawrence Kenneth `` Larry '' `` Bud '' Pennell ( February 21, 1928 -- August 28, 2013 ) was an American television and film actor, often remembered for his role as `` Dash Riprock '' in the television series The Beverly Hillbillies. His career spanned half a century, including starring in the first - run syndicated adventure series Ripcord in the leading role of Paradiver Ted McKeever, as well as playing Keith Holden in the CBS ' television series Lassie. He was also a baseball player, playing on scholarship for the University of Southern California and later professionally for the Boston Braves organization. Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Baseball career 3 Acting career 3.1 Select film credits 3.2 Select television credits 3.3 Select theater credits 4 Personal life 5 References 6 External links Early life and education Pennell was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to entrepreneur Harold Pennell and homemaker Ruth Pennell. His parents moved to Niagara Falls, New York during the Great Depression in search of better opportunities. After a short time in New York, the family moved to California, where they lived in a studio apartment overlooking Angels Flight in Downtown Los Angeles. His family moved again when he was still young, purchasing a home near Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. He became a newsboy on the studio lot, but athletics distracted him from any early interest in film. Pennell played baseball throughout his youth. He attended Hollywood High School where he played first baseman and was later inducted into the school 's athletic hall of fame. He was recruited by Rod Dedeaux to play baseball at USC, where he played beginning in 1947. Pennell attended the university on a full baseball scholarship and became one of the school 's all - time letter winners. He left school early to play professionally for the Boston Braves organization. Baseball career Larry Pennell playing with the Evansville Braves in 1949. Just shy of graduating from USC, Pennell left the university to play professionally for the Boston Braves. During his time with the Braves, his teammates often referred to him as `` Bud '', a nickname that stuck with him throughout his life. He was with the organization for a total of seven seasons between 1948 and 1954, playing first base and outfield for the Evansville Braves, Boston 's minor league affiliate. In his first year in professional ball, he broke the Appalachian League record for runs batted in with 147 and hit. 338 for the season while belting 18 home runs. He was portrayed in Hall of Famer, Eddie Mathews ' autobiography as a `` fun - loving teammate. '' He did not play during the 1950 -- 1953 seasons due to his service during the Korean War, because he served in counter intelligence in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge upon completion of his service. Upon his return home, his baseball contract was purchased by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Pennell never reported to spring training for the Dodgers and instead decided to pursue acting, a career he dabbled in during the off seasons. Regarding his retirement from baseball, sportswriter Furman Bisher was quoted as saying, `` his future seemed unlimited... I shall always be frustrated by a desire to know how great a star he might have become. '' Acting career Larry Pennell as General Jack O ' Neal in Old Surehand. In the baseball off - seasons, Pennell would return home to Hollywood, where the entertainment industry was omnipresent. As the seasons passed his interest in the industry and acting in particular continued to evolve. Shortly after his contract was purchased by the Brooklyn organization, he decided not to report spring training and instead began his career in films. After being seen by a talent scout, Pennell got a screen test at Paramount Pictures where he went under contract. Then he traveled to New York City to learn his new craft from drama icons such as Sanford Meisner and Stella Adler. It was in 1955 when Pennell 's acting career was officially launched. He appeared in his first role as Oliver Brown in the movie Seven Angry Men, a film about abolitionist John Brown, starring Raymond Massey. That role led him to a lead in Hell 's Horizon, which was followed by The Far Horizons, starred Charlton Heston and Donna Reed. His next film role was as George Crandall opposite Jimmy Stewart in The FBI Story. Other numerous roles followed, including the leading role as Johnny Jargin in the car racing adventure movie The Devil 's Hairpin. Early in his acting career, he went to Europe and appeared in a number of films there including the spaghetti western Old Surehand, a German production based upon a Karl May 's novel. In European films he was occasionally credited as Alessandro Pennelli. He returned to the United States and made guest appearances in several western television series such as Zane Grey Theater, Death Valley Days, The Outlaws, Have Gun -- Will Travel, Wagon Train, The Big Valley, The Virginian, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rango, Custer, Branded, The Rough Riders, Cimarron City and Tombstone Territory. Larry Pennell as Dash Riprock with Donna Douglas as Elly May from The Beverly Hillbillies, ca. 1967 In 1961, he landed the leading role of the handsome, headstrong, youthful, colorful, audacious and brave paradiver Theodore ( Ted ) McKeever on the television show Ripcord, a half - hour first - run syndicated action / adventure series about skydiving. This show, in which co-starred Ken Curtis as his inseparable level - headed older mentor and best buddy James ( Jim ) Buckley, ran for a total of 76 episodes between 1961 and 1963, which inspired a range of tie - in merchandise such as toy parachutes, action figures, board games, clean slates, reading books, comic books and coloring books, to name a few. More television guest appearances followed on The Outer Limits, Thriller, The Millionaire, The West Point Story, Wire Service, The Case of the Dangerous Robin, Steve Canyon, Sea Hunt, The Aquanauts, The Everglades, Adventures in Paradise, Dragnet, Mr. Broadway, Studio 57, Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars, Suspense Theater and General Electric Theater. It was in 1965 that he debuted in one of his most memorable roles on The Beverly Hillbillies, as Dash Riprock, the movie star courting Elly May Clampett ( played by Donna Douglas ) in `` Elly in the Movies '' ( Season 3, Episode 16 ). He appeared in a total of ten episodes of that sitcom show. It was his role as Dash Riprock that inspired the name of the rock band Dash Rip Rock, that was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. After The Beverly Hillbillies, Pennell was guest starred in other television series like Blue Light, My Friend Tony, Mayberry, R.F.D., Family Affair, Land of the Giants, Bracken 's World, BJ and the Bear and Salvage 1. Throughout his career, Pennell continued to appear in a variety of genres in television including series and movies made for television. He was cast in a lead role in the CBS series Lassie as Keith Holden in 1972. He made guest starring appearances in various shows like Mannix, Longstreet, Hunter, Banacek, Mission : Impossible, The Streets of San Francisco, McMillan and Wife, Magnum, P.I., The Rookies, Little House on the Prairie, Owen Marshall : Counselor at Law, O'Hara, U.S. Treasury, Run, Joe, Run, Apple 's Way, Silk Stalkings, Diagnosis Murder, Quantum Leap and Firefly and soap operas such as General Hospital and The Young and the Restless. Larry Pennell as Jack Kilbaine in The Big Valley : The Price of Victory. Pennell 's film credits include roles in films such as The Great White Hope ( 1970 ), starring James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander in which Pennell played former heavyweight champion Frank Brady. Pennell also appeared in the big budget World War II film Midway ( 1976 ), as `` Captain Cyril Simard '', alongside Charlton Heston and Henry Fonda. He had roles in other major films such as The Revengers, Journey Through Rosebud and Matilda. Pennell bore a striking resemblance to Clark Gable and played the icon in three roles. One of his notable roles as Gable was in the television film Marilyn : The Untold Story ( 1980 ). It was said of his work in that role `` Pennell 's performance is a little gem. '' In 1992, Pennell and Tom Selleck rejoined for a third time to appear in Mr. Baseball. Other films include The Fear ( 1999 ), Bubba Ho - Tep ( 2002 ) starring Ossie Davis, Five Minutes ( 2002 ), Last Confession ( 2005 ), Seasons of Life ( 2006 ) and The Passing ( 2011 ). Pennell continued to experiment with his acting and writing craft in study with drama masters such as Milton Katselis and Daniel Mann. Pennell 's stage work encompassed over 50 plays including The Poker Game, Desperate Hours, Pieces of Time and Dead Autumn 's Soul. He wrote and starred in The Signing and Close - Up and won best actor at The Method Fest 2002 for his work in the short film Five Minutes. Throughout his career, Pennell accumulated over 400 credits in roles across stage, film and television, in addition to commercials and print advertisements. Select film credits Year Title Medium Role Notes 1955 Seven Angry Men Western film Oliver Brown 1955 The Far Horizons Western film Wild Eagle 1955 Hell 's Horizon Drama film Buddy Lewis 1955 The Court Jester Comedy film Novice Knight Uncredited 1956 The Vagabond King Musical film Soldier Uncredited 1957 The Devil 's Hairpin Adventure film Johnny Jargin 1958 The Space Children Science fiction film Major Thomas 1959 The FBI Story Drama film George Crandall 1965 Our Man in Jamaica Adventure film Ken Stewart ( as Alessandro Pennelli ) 1965 Old Surehand Western film General Jack O'Neal 1970 The Great White Hope Drama film Brady 1970 Brother, Cry for Me Adventure film Jim Noble 1972 Journey Through Rosebud Drama film Sheriff 1972 The Revengers Western film Arny 1972 Lassie : Joyous Sound TV movie Keith Holden 1976 Helter Skelter Made for TV movie Sgt. White 1976 Midway War film Captain Cyril Simard 1978 Matilda Dram film Lee Dockerty 1979 Elvis Made for TV movie 1980 The Man with Bogart 's Face Comedy film George 1980 Marilyn : The Untold Story Made for TV movie Clark Gable 1982 Personal Best Drama film Rick Cahill 1982 Superstition Drama film George Leahy The Night the Bridge Fell Down Action film Chief Barrett Metalstorm : The Destruction of Jared - Syn Science fiction film Aix Ghost Chase Drama film Bum Another Chance Drama film Clark Gable 1991 The Borrower Horror film Captain Scarcelli Mr. Baseball Film Howie Gold 1999 The Fear : Resurrection Horror film Grandfather 1999 Forgiven Short film Potter 2001 The Cross Drama film Man with Lamb 2001 5 Minutes Short film Harkness 2001 Jackpot Comedy drama film Truck driver 2002 Rogue Drama film The Voice 2002 Bubba Ho - Tep Comedy horror film Kemosabe 2005 Last Confession Short film Father Conklin 2006 Seasons of Life Film Lauren 's Father 2011 The Passing Horror film Charles ( final film role ) Select television credits Year Title Medium Role Notes 1956 General Electric Theater Television series Ealter Kellen 1956 Studio 57 Television series Bruce 1956 - 1957 The West Point Story Television series Bob Matson and Marson 1 w / Leonard Nimoy 1956 Wire Service Television series Johnny 1957 Schlitz Playhouse Television series Bob 1958 - 1960 The Millionaire Television series Larry Maxwell 1958 Tombstone Territory Television series Bill Doolin 1958 Steve Canyon Television series Lt. Hawk Cameron 1958 The Rough Riders Television series Creed Pearce 1958 Cimarron City Television series Drew McGowan 1959 Have Gun -- Will Travel Television series Henry Carver 1959 Adventures in Paradise Television series Dr. Patrick Donovan 1960 The Alaskans Television series Harry Seattle 1960 Tales of Wells Fargo Television series Ben Hardie 1960 The Aquanauts Television series Tyler Sack Episode : `` The Paradivers '' 1960 Death Valley Days Television series Roner Maxwell 1960 Klondike Television series Rule Lukas 1960 Zane Grey Theater Television series Tully 1961 Outlaws Television series Bob Dalton 1961 Thriller Television series Larry Weeks 1961 The Case of the Dangerous Robin Television series 1961 Bat Masterson Television series Cal Beamus 1961 Sea Hunt Television series Steve / A counterfeiter leader Episode : `` The Meet '' 1961 -- 1963 Ripcord Television series Paradiver Theodore ( Ted ) McKeever 76 episodes 1963 General Hospital Television series Hank Pulaski 1964 Wagon Train Television series Marshal Trace McCloud Episode : `` The Trace McCloud Story '' 1964 The Outer Limits Television series Dr. Evan Marshall Episode : `` The Mutant '' 1964 Mr. Broadway Television series John Chambers 1964 - 1967 The Virginian Television series Carl Rand / Wally Koerner 2 episodes 1965 Kraft Suspense Theatre Television series Phil Scanlon 1965 - 1969 The Beverly Hillbillies Television series Dash Riprock 10 episodes 1965 Branded Television series Tuck Fraser 1966 Blue Light Television series Nick Brady 1967 The Big Valley Television series Jack Kilbain 1967 Rango Television series 1967 Three for Danger Television series Chris 1967 Custer Television series Chief Yellow Hawk 1967 Cimarron Strip Television series Rapp 1968 Dragnet 1967 Television series John Anzo / A Police Commissioner 1968 - 1974 Gunsmoke Television series Ben Akins / John Woolfe 2 episodes 1969 My Friend Tony Television series 1969 Mayberry R.F.D. Television series Chuck 1969 Land of the Giants Television series Guard 1969 Bracken 's World Television series Chuck 1969 - 71 Mannix Television series Agent Barnes / Troy McBride 2 episodes 1970 Mission : Impossible Television series Karl Burroughs 1970 Family Affair Television series Ken Granger 1971 City Beneath the Sea Television movie Bill Holmes 1971 Longstreet Television series Ward Blakeman 1971 - 1972 O'Hara, U.S. Treasury Television series Charles Donaldson / S.A. Peter Wade 2 episodes 1971 - 1974 McMillan & Wife Television series Agent Cushing 1972 - 1973 Lassie Television series Keith Holden 1973 The Young and the Restless Television series Judge Chet Ashford 1973 Banacek Television series Pete Biesecker 1973 - 1974 The Streets of San Francisco Television series Becker / A High School coach 2 episodes Apple 's Way Television series Sam Ferguson Owen Marshall : Counselor at Law Television series Sargeant Bill Carrington The Rookies Television series Henry Glass Walt Disney 's Wonderful World of Color Television series Dave Fletcher 1977 Hunter Television series Michael Orlin 1977 Little House on the Prairie Television series Ben Griffin 1979 Salvage 1 Television series Street 1979 BJ and the Bear Television series Mary Ellen 1982 - 1986 Magnum, P.I. Television series Jack Martin / Norm Vogel 2 episodes Quantum Leap Television series Clark Gable Episode : `` Good - Bye, Norma Jean '' 1997 Diagnosis : Murder Television series Dr. Arthur Episode : `` Looks Can Kill '' 1997 Silk Stalkings Television series Dr. Kurland Episode : `` The Wedge '' 2002 Firefly Television series Murphy Episode : `` Shindig '' Biography portal Pennsylvania portal California portal Los Angeles portal Film portal Television portal Select theater credits Dream a Little Dream -- Lead -- Company of Angels, Los Angeles Sing the Song Lady -- Lead -- Network Studio, North Hollywood Monroe -- Lead -- Crystal Sands, Hilton Head, South Carolina The Signing ( written by Larry Pennell ) -- Lead -- Stella Adler Theater, Beverly Hills Playhouse Larry Pennell and his wife Patricia. Close - Up ( written by Larry Pennell ) -- Lead -- Stella Adler Theater, Beverly Hills Playhouse Pieces of time -- Lead -- Pan Andreas Theater, Hollywood Desperate Hours -- Lead -- New Dramatist 's, Inc., New York City Dead Autumn 's Soul -- Lead -- New York City The Poker Game -- Lead -- ( Pre-Broadway ) New York City Mary, Mary -- Lead -- Tiffany 's Attic Theater, Kansas City Personal life Pennell met his wife Patricia Throop, a fashion model, actress, former Miss Oregon and finalist in the Miss America Pageant ( 1954 ), when shooting a film. Throughout his life he enjoyed sports of all kinds such as baseball, football, tennis, boxing, running and horseback riding. Also he was an avid historian and a patriot with ancestral links in the American Revolution and the Mayflower Compact. Pennell died on August 28, 2013 at age 85. References ^ Jump up to : Levy, Sam ( 24 March 1949 ). `` Pennell -- Lanky First Baseman With Brewers Definitely on Way Up ''. The Milwaukee Journal ( via Google Archives ). Retrieved 16 October 2014. Jump up ^ http://www.nndb.com/people/397/000349347/ ^ Jump up to : Lentz III, Harris M. ( 2014 ). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2013. McFarland. ISBN 9780786476657. Retrieved 16 October 2014. ^ Jump up to : Beck, Ken ( 2002 ). The Encyclopedia of TV Pets : A Complete History of Television 's Greatest Animal Stars. Thomas Nelson, Inc. ISBN 9781418557379. Retrieved 16 October 2014. Jump up ^ `` Boost for Lakeman ''. The Milwaukee Journal ( via Google News Archives ). 4 April 1949. Retrieved 16 October 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Sold Papers to Stars, Now An Actor Too ''. Citizen News. Hollywood, California. 4 May 1954. p. 11. Jump up ^ Scott, Vernon ( 19 September 1957 ). `` Actor Would Fight For Film Part ''. The Desert News. Retrieved 16 October 2014. Jump up ^ `` All - Time Baseball Letter Winners ''. University of Southern California Trojans. Retrieved 16 October 2014. Jump up ^ `` Coaches Want Protection From OB ''. New York NY PM. 7 January 1948. Jump up ^ `` Blow Comes In Eighth With One On ''. Evansville Press ( no link available ). 19 May 1949. Jump up ^ Mathews, Eddie ; Beuge, Bob ( 1994 ). Eddie Mathews and the National Pastime. Douglas Amer Sports Pubns. ISBN 9781882134410. ^ Jump up to : `` Baseball Loses Larry Pennell to Films ''. The Desert News. 22 July 1954. Jump up ^ Bisher, Furman ( 11 July 1959 ). `` My Baseball Farmlands ''. The Saturday Evening Post. ^ Jump up to : `` From Baseball To Acting ''. Radio TV Mirror. July 1961. Retrieved 13 November 2014 -- via ( from archive ). Jump up ^ Hopper, Hedda ( 11 June 1954 ). `` Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster to Co-Star in Another Film ''. Chicago Tribune ( Archives ). Retrieved 16 October 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Review : The FBI Story ''. Variety. 31 December 1958. Retrieved 13 November 2014. ^ Jump up to : Weisser, Thomas. Spaghetti Westerns -- the Good, the Bad and the Violent. McFarland. ISBN 9781476611693. Jump up ^ `` The Bonanza Stars ''. Connellsville, Pennsylvania : The Daily Courier. 2 September 1967. Retrieved 13 November 2014. ^ Jump up to : Streckert, Hal. `` Ripcord ! ''. Parachutist. Retrieved 16 October 2014. Jump up ^ McDaniel, Randy ( 1 June 2013 ). `` Remember Dash Riprock On The Beverly Hillbillies ''. Classic KXRB Country 1000. Retrieved 13 November 2014. Jump up ^ Compo, Susan ( 2009 ). Warren Oates : A Wild Life. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813139180. Jump up ^ Williams, Randy ( 2006 ). Sports Cinema 100 Movies : The Best of Hollywood 's Athletic Heroes, Losers, Myths, and Misfits. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879103316. Retrieved 16 October 2014. Jump up ^ `` The West Point Story ''. External links Larry Pennell on IMDb ISNI : 0000 0000 9244 7360 LCCN : n2006047143 VIAF : 135514815 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Larry_Pennell&oldid=842258813 '' Categories : 1928 births 2013 deaths American baseball players American male film actors Male Western ( genre ) film actors American male television actors Baseball players from Pennsylvania Male actors from Pittsburgh 20th - century American male actors 21st - century American male actors People from Uniontown, Pennsylvania Evansville Braves players American actor - athletes Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from October 2011 Articles with hCards Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Place of death missing Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Français Edit links This page was last edited on 21 May 2018, at 08 : 43 ( UTC ). 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Question: who played dash rip rock on the beverly hillbillies
Answer: Lawrence Kenneth "Larry" "Bud" Pennell