John Bramwell Alderson (10 April 1916 – 4 August 2006) was an English actor noted for playing the lead in the 1957–58 syndicated western television series, Boots and Saddles, which ran for thirty-eight episodes in a single season, and many supporting roles in films in a career spanning almost forty years, from 1951 to 1990.
Alderson was cast as the rugged trail guide Hugh Glass, an historical figure, in the 1966 episode "Hugh Glass Meets the Bear" of the syndicated series, Death Valley Days. Others in the episode were Morgan Woodward as Thomas Fitzpatrick, Victor French as Louis Baptiste and Tris Coffin.
Biography
Alderson was born to a mining family in the village of Horden, County Durham, England. After a brief teenage career at the colliery he opted to instead join the Royal Artillery, rising to the rank of Major. Upon leaving the services he married a United States citizen and immigrated to the US, where he began his acting career.
Filmography
Film
Selected television appearances
Gunsmoke (1955) - Nash
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1956) Season 1 Episode 31: "The Gentleman From America" - Attendant Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1958) Season 3 Episode 34: "The Crocodile Case" - Inspector Karsiak Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1958-1959, Episodes: "The Swamp Fox" and "Texas John Slaughter") - Sgt. Duncan MacGregor / Sergeant McDonald Yancy Derringer (1958) - Marble Fingers Black Saddle (1959) - Big Sam Davis Lawman (1959) - Jack Brace Border Patrol (1959) - Curley Colt .45 (1959) - Captain Hudson's Bay (1959) - Boggs Adventures in Paradise (1960-1961) - Sean Casey / Darcy / Palsson / Harry Pine Follow the Sun (1961) - Mervin Taggert Have Gun – Will Travel (1958-1962) - Rusty Doggett / Max Clay Maverick (1959-1962) - Simon Girty / Captain Bly / Zindler / Ben Chapman Tales of Wells Fargo (1960-1962) - Gage / Clay Arvin Bronco (1962) - Francis Randolph Going My Way (1963) - Mr. Larkin Gunsmoke (1955-1963) - Canby / Ab Laster / Nash Arrest and Trial (1963) - Bartender The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1964) (Season 2 Episode 18: "Final Escape") - The 3rd Guard Combat! (1964) - Sgt. Rawlings The Rogues (1965) - Bill Bonanza (1961-1966) - Hugh Gwylnedd / Montague Blue Light (1966) - Gorlek / Gorleck Doctor Who (1966, in the serial The Gunfighters) - Wyatt Earp Death Valley Days (1964-1966) - John Tunstall / Hank Butterford / Hugh Glass / Joe Meek / Big Mac The Wild Wild West (1967) - Clive Marchmount The Guns of Will Sonnett (1968) - Sheriff Mission: Impossible (1970) - Follet The Persuaders! (1971) - Kyle Sandor Rod Serling's Night Gallery (1972) - Granger (segment "Lindemann's Catch") Philip Marlowe, Private Eye (1983) - Gaff Talley
In 1966, the first four episodes of Blue Light were edited together to create the theatrical film I Deal in Danger. Alderson's Blue Light appearance was included in the film.