Robert Sorrells obit

 

Robert D. Sorrells

JUNE 29, 1930 ~ JUNE 11, 2019 (AGE 88)

He was not on the list.

As an actor, Sorrells is probably best known for his role as the baseball-pitching robot Casey in the Twilight Zone episode "The Mighty Casey". Additionally, he was in 26 episodes of Ensign O'Toole. He was also known for his appearances in Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Bonanza. He later appeared in films such as Fletch and Bound for Glory.

On July 24, 2004, Sorrells was drinking in a bar in Simi Valley, California, when he became belligerent. Another patron, Arthur DeLong, forcibly escorted Sorrells from the bar. Sorrells went home, got his pistol, and returned to the bar, where he shot DeLong in the back at point-blank range, killing him. Sorrells then shot a bystander named Edward Sanchez, with whom he had had no previous interaction. He then fled the scene in a Volkswagen van, but was arrested a short distance away.

Sorrells was charged with one count of premeditated murder and one count of attempted premeditated murder. Sorrells initially pled not guilty by reason of insanity, but entered a guilty plea in May, 2005. In July, 2005 he was sentenced to 32 years to life. Sorrells died in prison at Vacaville, California, on June 11, 2019, at the age of 88.

A devotee of yogi exercise and a vegetarian, he professed to believe in non-violence until his sudden murder spree.

He was arrested for shooting two patrons in Simi Valley's The Regency Lounge (California, USA) on 24 July 2004. One of the patrons, Arthur De Long, died from a gunshot wound to the back, while the other patron, Edward Sanchez, is in serious condition from shots to the face and back.

An avid guitar player who taught neighbors and gave free concerts.

Died in prison while serving his sentence for premeditated murder.

 

Actor

Gabriel's Fire (1990)

Gabriel's Fire

7.3

TV Series

Guard

1990

1 episode

 

Nowhere to Run (1989)

Nowhere to Run

4.8

Mr. Kitchens

1989

 

Paradise (1988)

Paradise

8.0

TV Series

Prospector

1989

1 episode

 

Gus Brown and Midnight Brewster (1985)

Gus Brown and Midnight Brewster

8.0

TV Movie

1985

 

Chevy Chase in Fletch (1985)

Fletch

6.9

Marvin Stanwyk

1985

 

Lee Majors and Heather Thomas in The Fall Guy (1981)

The Fall Guy

7.1

TV Series

1984

1 episode

 

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978)

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

3.7

Locke

1978

 

Bound for Glory (1976)

Bound for Glory

7.2

Charlie Guthrie - Woody's Father

1976

 

Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson in The Quest (1976)

The Quest

7.1

TV Series

George Mays

1976

1 episode

 

S.W.A.T. (1975)

S.W.A.T.

6.7

TV Series

Alan Izing

1976

1 episode

 

Richard Thomas, Will Geer, Judy Norton, Ellen Corby, Kami Cotler, David W. Harper, Michael Learned, Mary Beth McDonough, Eric Scott, Ralph Waite, and Jon Walmsley in The Waltons (1972)

The Waltons

7.6

TV Series

Older Son

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1974–1976

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Helen Hunt, Willie Aames, Pat Delaney, Martin Milner, and Eric Olson in Swiss Family Robinson (1975)

Swiss Family Robinson

6.5

TV Series

1975

1 episode

 

James Arness, Amanda Blake, Milburn Stone, and Dennis Weaver in Gunsmoke (1955)

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8.1

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Hickory

Concho

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Claude Akins, Frank Converse, and Merle Haggard in Movin' On (1974)

Movin' On

7.3

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Marlowe

1974

1 episode

 

Kung Fu (1972)

Kung Fu

7.6

TV Series

Scalper

1974

1 episode

 

Fade In (1973)

Fade In

5.1

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Bud

1973

 

Female Artillery (1973)

Female Artillery

6.5

TV Movie

Scotto

1973

 

Cannon (1971)

Cannon

6.8

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Dougall

1971

1 episode

 

Cannon (1971)

Cannon

7.3

TV Movie

Tough in Blue Moon bar

1971

 

San Francisco International Airport (1970)

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2.6

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Dan

1970

1 episode

 

Mike Connors in Mannix (1967)

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7.4

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1970

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John Gavin and Beverly Garland in Cutter's Trail (1970)

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TV Movie

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1970

 

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Fex Shadroy

Soda Bill ...

1959–1970

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Bonanza (1959)

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7.3

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Sid

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Meredith Smith ...

1963–1969

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Fess Parker in Daniel Boone (1964)

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7.3

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Hogan

Luke Girty

1964–1969

2 episodes

 

The Name of the Game (1968)

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7.6

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Clem

1969

1 episode

 

Richard Widmark and Lena Horne in Death of a Gunfighter (1969)

Death of a Gunfighter

6.2

Chris Hogg

1969

 

Lancer (1968)

Lancer

7.1

TV Series

Billy Joe

1969

1 episode

 

The Magical World of Disney (1954)

The Magical World of Disney

8.4

TV Series

Cece

Pvt. Starkey

1967–1968

4 episodes

 

Carl Betz and Stephen Young in Judd for the Defense (1967)

Judd for the Defense

7.7

TV Series

Ron Bisbee

1968

1 episode

 

Anthony Franciosa and Michael Sarrazin in A Man Called Gannon (1968)

A Man Called Gannon

5.3

Goff

1968

 

Stuart Whitman in Cimarron Strip (1967)

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7.1

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Whit

Bill Vincent

1967–1968

2 episodes

 

Ben Gazzara in Run for Your Life (1965)

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7.6

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1st Station Attendant

1966–1967

2 episodes

 

The Invaders (1967)

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8.0

TV Series

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1967

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The Last Challenge (1967)

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1967

 

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1967

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The Ride to Hangman's Tree (1967)

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5.1

Blake

1967

 

Mosby's Marauders (1967)

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6.7

Pvt. Starkey

1967

 

Douglas Fowley, Ruth McDevitt, Ann Sheridan, and Carole Wells in Pistols 'n' Petticoats (1966)

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7.2

TV Series

Leroy

1967

1 episode

 

Emily Banks, Bobby Darin, and Don Galloway in Gunfight in Abilene (1967)

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5.7

Nelson

1967

 

Richard Deacon and Phyllis Diller in The Phyllis Diller Show (1966)

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7.4

TV Series

Abner

1967

1 episode

 

David Janssen in The Fugitive (1963)

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8.1

TV Series

Curly

Deputy

Jud Tormey

1964–1966

3 episodes

 

Run Buddy Run (1966)

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7.8

TV Series

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1966

1 episode

 

Inger Stevens and William Windom in The Farmer's Daughter (1963)

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7.5

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Al Bergman

Bailey

1965–1966

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7.6

TV Series

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1966

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12 O'Clock High (1964)

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8.1

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1965–1966

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8.0

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1965

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Rafferty

1965

1 episode

 

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7.9

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1964–1965

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1965

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8.3

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1964

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The Outer Limits (1963)

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8.2

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1964

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The Great Adventure (1963)

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8.5

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1963–1964

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1964

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Combat! (1962)

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8.4

TV Series

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1963

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Ensign O'Toole (1962)

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7.2

TV Series

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1962–1963

26 episodes

 

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7.0

TV Series

Blake

1962

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Tallahassee 7000 (1961)

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1961

2 episodes

 

Don Collier, Judy Lewis, and Bruce Yarnell in Outlaws (1960)

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7.5

TV Series

Peters (as Bobby Sorrells)

1961

1 episode

 

All Hands on Deck (1961)

All Hands on Deck

5.7

Jones

1961

 

George Maharis and Martin Milner in Route 66 (1960)

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7.7

TV Series

Dickson

1960

1 episode

 

Rod Serling in The Twilight Zone (1959)

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9.1

TV Series

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1960

1 episode

 

Playhouse 90 (1956)

Playhouse 90

8.4

TV Series

Bud Thorpe

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1959–1960

2 episodes

 

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7.0

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1960

1 episode

 

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1959

1 episode