Ray Boyle

Ray Boyle
Boyle in The Mickey Rooney Show, 1954
Born
Raymond Cornelius Boyle

(1923-06-28)June 28, 1923
DiedJanuary 6, 2022(2022-01-06) (aged 98)
Other namesDirk London
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1952–2022
Spouse
(m. 1954)
[1]
Children1[1]

Raymond Cornelius Boyle (June 28, 1923 – January 6, 2022), also known as Ray Boyle and Dirk London,[2] was an American film and television actor. He was perhaps best known for playing Wyatt Earp's brother Morgan Earp in the American western television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.[1][2][3]

Life and career

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Boyle was born in Lisbon, North Dakota, the son of Elma Mae Harrison and Cornelius Hugh Boyle. He had two sisters.[1] Boyle served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.[1]

After working as a model, Boyle's career as an actor started in 1952 with a role in the film Zombies of the Stratosphere.[1] He then made his television debut in the science fiction television series Captain Video and His Video Rangers, where he made two appearances as Luny O'Brien. Boyle made an uncredited appearance in the 1953 film Bad for Each Other. In 1954, he made a guest-starring appearance in the western television series Death Valley Days.[4] That same year, he appeared in the films Ride Clear of Diablo, Prisoner of War, Return from the Sea and The Bridges at Toko-Ri. Around 1956 he ran an actors’ workshop.[5]

In 1956, Boyle was cast as Morgan Earp in the ABC western television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.[1] His character was the brother of Wyatt Earp, who was played by Hugh O'Brian.[1][2] He appeared in the films The Lonely Man, Ambush at Cimarron Pass and The Purple Gang.[1]

Boyle guest-starred in television programs including, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, Lawman, Tales of the Texas Rangers, Harbor Command, Navy Log, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin and Highway Patrol.[1] He worked as a production designer for films.[1] In the 1990s, he made appearances in the television programs ER and Beverly Hills, 90210. In 1996, he played Benny in the television comedy show Night Stand with Dick Dietrick, which was presented by Timothy Stack.[6]

Personal life

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Boyle met Jan Shepard in 1951. They wed on February 6, 1954. They had a son, Brandon, who was born in April 1959. Boyle and Shepard stayed married for 67 years, until Boyle's death.[1]

Death

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Boyle died in Burbank, California, on January 6, 2022, at the age of 98.[1] He was buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Raymond Boyle Obituary (1923-2022)". Los Angeles Times. August 14, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Brode, Douglas (October 15, 2009). Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors, 1946–Present. University of Texas Press. p. 50. ISBN 9780292718494 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Aaker, Everett (1997). Television Western Players of the Fifties: A Biographical Encyclopedia of All Regular Cast Members in Western Series, 1949-1959. McFarland. p. 328. ISBN 9780786402847 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Lentz, Harris (1996). Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits 1903-1995: Section I. Actors and actresses. Section II. Directors, producers, and writers. McFarland. p. 93. ISBN 9780786401581 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Chase, Chris (April 9, 1972). "George Is Ready for His 'Seven Year Itch'". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Mother Dolores O.S.B., Hart (April 16, 2013). The Ear of the Heart: An Actress' Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows. Ignatius Press. ISBN 9781681491479 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "Raymond C. Boyle". Dignity Memorial. January 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
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