Denver Pyle, 77, a veteran character actor who was best known for his portrayal of wise Uncle Jesse on the television show "The Dukes of Hazzard," died of lung cancer Dec. 25 at a hospital in Burbank, Calif.
Mr. Pyle appeared in a "Dukes" reunion TV movie this year. By the time he joined the television series, Mr. Pyle had established himself as a character actor with more than 200 appearances in television and spaghetti western films. His lanky frame brought a western authenticity to parts in such movies as "The Alamo," "The Man who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Cahill, U.S. Marshal." His last movie role was in the 1994 movie version of the TV western "Maverick."
Mr. Pyle was a veteran of TV, playing Caleb on "Gunsmoke" and Briscoe Darling on "The Andy Griffith Show." He also was a cast member on "The Doris Day Show" in the late 1960s and early 1970s and "The Life & Times of Grizzly Adams" in the 1970s.
Mr. Pyle also appeared in the popular series "Bonanza."
He was born in Bethune, Colo., and was named for his mother's favorite city.
In recent years, Mr. Pyle turned personal appearances as Uncle Jesse into fund-raisers for children's charities, said his assistant, Karen Lackey.
He also continued to receive "Dukes" fan mail. "They talked to him like he was an uncle and said how close they felt to him," Lackey said.
Mr. Pyle was not scheduled to speak at the Dec. 12 ceremony honoring him with a Hollywood star, but he did so anyway.
As 300 fans looked on, he reminisced about his first visit to Hollywood with his brother Willie.
"Willie pointed out the stars to me and said, Someday you'll be a part of this street,"' Mr. Pyle said. "I didn't know it then, but I guess I am now. I'll see you down the road."
Mr. Pyle is survived by his wife, Tippy, and two sons. CAPTION: DENVER PYLE
