Ken Swofford

Kenneth Charles Swofford (July 25, 1933 – November 1, 2018) was an American film and television actor. With his burly build and distinctive red hair he was often cast in villain, police officer or 'everyman' roles.

Between 1962 and 1995, Swofford's film credits included Thelma & Louise, Skyjacked, Black Roses and The Andromeda Strain, while his TV career during the same period was prolific: he appeared on such television series as Gunsmoke, Police Story, The Rockford Files, Simon & Simon, Fame, Switch, The Oregon Trail, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II, Murder, She Wrote, and as a cast member of the mystery series Ellery Queen.

Life and career Ken Swofford graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in theater.

In an interview in 1976, the distinctive, red-headed actor described the advantages of an acting career as spending more time with his children and having the freedom to do any job. "If you're an actor, you can do anything. I have cleaned carpets, painted houses, worked on loading docks. It didn't bother me, because I could always act and enjoy myself."

He met and married Barbee Biggs in summer stock in 1958; the couple had several children. In a Los Angeles Times interview in 1985 titled "Autistic Youth Thrives in Large, Loving Family", the Swoffords discussed bringing up their autistic son Brendan at home.

In 1989, Swofford was convicted of felony drunk driving and sentenced to 28 months in prison, after which he made a comeback and continued to work steadily until retiring in 1995. In 2001, he supplied the voice of the coach in Recess: School's Out, and played Officer White in Teacher's Pet (2004), which was his last role before retiring permanently. Nonetheless, in 2018 he voiced the title character of Happy the Angry Polar Bear in a film written and directed by his grandson, Brandon.

Death Swofford died on November 1, 2018, aged 85, in Pacific Grove, California. His death was announced by his grandson Brandon on Twitter.

Filmography

Captain Newman, M.D. (1963) — Patient (uncredited) Father Goose (1964) — Helmsman, Submarine USS Sailfin (uncredited) First to Fight (1967) — O'Brien Gunfight in Abilene (1967) — Rebel Soldier (uncredited) How Much Loving Does a Normal Couple Need? (1967) — Barney Rickert / ex-detective The Lawyer (1970) — Charlie O'Keefe The Andromeda Strain (1970) — Toby (technician) Bless the Beasts and Children (1971) — Wheaties Skyjacked (1972) — John Bimonte One Little Indian (1973) — Pvt. Dixon A Cry for Help (1975, TV Movie) — Paul Church The Black Bird (1975) — Brad McCormack The Domino Principle (1977) — Ditcher Sultan and the Rock Star (1980, TV Movie) - George McKinzie S.O.B. (1981) — Harold Harrigan Annie (1982) — Weasel Bridge Across Time (1985, TV Movie) — Ed Nebel Hunter's Blood (1986) — Al Coleman The Stepford Children (1987, TV Movie) — Frank Gregson Black Roses (1988) — Mayor Farnsworth Thelma & Louise (1991) — Major The Taking of Beverly Hills (1991) — Coach Cops n Roberts (1995) Recess: School's Out (2001) — Coach (voice) Teacher's Pet (2004) — Officer White (voice)

Television

Surfside 6 (1962) — Garth The Big Valley (1966) — Wes Cimarron Strip (1967) — Christie Gunsmoke (1967–1975) — Dunbar / Jake Fielder / Harkey / Dirk / Speer / Harry / Bronk / Loomis / Guffy / Sugar John / Bo Warrick I Spy (1968) — Clay Daniel Boone (1968) — Mick O'Toole Adam-12 (1968) — Floyd Delman The Virginian (1968–1969) — Seth Pettit / Wrengell Here Come the Brides (1969) — Janitor / Gil The F.B.I. (1969) — Honky-tonk bookkeeper The Odd Couple (1970) — Cop The Intruders (1970) — Pomerantz Mission: Impossible (1970–1971) — Deputy Mayor Charles Peck / Florian Vaclav The Partridge Family (1970–1974) — Coach / Monty The Rookies (1972–1973) — Mr. Felker The Streets of San Francisco (1973) — Herman Ledeker, Bus Driver Columbo: Candidate for Crime (1973) — Harry Stone The Waltons (1974) — Red Turner Kung Fu (1974) — Dr. Tracer / Max Frazer Paper Moon (1974) — Angus Police Story (1974–1977) — Lieutenant / Lieutenant Pete Telenda / Officer Turner / Alfonso Taluga / Morgan Petrocelli (1975–1976) — Lt. John Clifford / Lieutenant John Clifford / Phillip Armor Ellery Queen (1975–1976) — Frank Flannigan The Rockford Files (1975–1979) — Col. John 'Howling Mad' Smith / Carl Wronko / DEA Agent Al Jollett / FBI Agent Patrick / P.I. Floyd Ross The Six Million Dollar Man (1977–1978) — Dan Kelly / Roy Palmer The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978) — J.J. Devlin Battlestar Galactica (1979) — General Maxwell in "Experiment in Terra" How the West Was Won (1979) — Grimes Walking Tall (1981) — Ed Morgan The Incredible Hulk (1981) — Johnny Fantasy Island (1981) — Fix Trapper John, M.D. (1982–1983) — The Chief / Mr. Stone Dynasty (1982–1988) — Lt. Holliman / Lieutenant Simon & Simon (1982–1988) — Chester Sullivan — SIA Liaison / Chief of Security Warren Parton / Lloyd Getz Knots Landing (1983) — Sheriff Pickett Fame (1983–1985) — Vice Principal Quentin Morloch Hardcastle and McCormick (1985) — Chuck Foster The A-Team (1985) — Park Ranger Roy Sherman Murder, She Wrote (1985–1992) — Lt. Catalano / Sheriff Tugman / Sid Sharkey / Grover Barth / Leo Kowalski Knight Rider (1986) — Nick O'Brien Remington Steele (1986) — Michael Harrigan Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1986) — Mr. Davis Falcon Crest (1987) — March Ridley The Law & Harry McGraw (1987) — Ed DeMarco Max Headroom (1987) — Gorrister Ohara (1987) — Crowley Highway to Heaven (1987) — Jack Kelly Our House (1988) — Baxter The Highwayman (1988) — The Mayor Murphy's Law (1988) — Max Corkle The Wonder Years (1988) — Al (Kevin Father's Chief) Mancuso, F.B.I. (1990) — Senator John Bloomingdale The New Adam-12 (1991) — Mr. Crebs Matlock (1991) — Ned Salem Baywatch (1991–1992) — Lyle Connors Diagnosis: Murder (1994) — Rupert Leverton