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William Tannen (November 17, 1911 – December 2, 1976) was an American actor originally from New York City, who was best known for his role of Deputy Hal Norton in fifty-six episodes from 1956 to 1958 of the ABC/Desilu western television series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, with Hugh O'Brian as Deputy Marshal Wyatt Earp.
Tannen was also cast as Gyp Clements in the 1955 episode "The Buntline Special" of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Beginning on September 11, 1956, in the second season of the series, with the setting moved from Wichita to Dodge City, Kansas, Tannen filled the Hal Norton role. His earliest episodes were "Fight or Run", "The Double Life of Dora Hand" and "Clay Allison", the latter two based on historical figures, the saloon singer and actor Dora Hand and the gunfighter Clay Allison. Some of his appearances were uncredited. His last credited role was "Doc Holliday Rewrites History" (May 6, 1958), with Myron Healey as the frontier gunfighter and dentist Doc Holliday. His last uncredited roles aired thereafter in May and June 1958, "Dig a Grave for Ben Thompson", based on the historical figure Ben Thompson played by Denver Pyle, "Frame-up", and "My Husband".
He was cast as Ike Clanton, not on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, but in the 1964 episode "After the OK Corral" of the syndicated western anthology series, Death Valley Days. Jim Davis portrayed Wyatt Earp in this particular episode. Tannen appeared twice, one role uncredited in Davis' earlier syndicated western series, Stories of the Century, including the role of Dutch Charlie in "Milt Sharp", the story of the stagecoach robber Milt Sharp.
1988
as Civil Engineer
1968
as Workman #2
1966
as American Delegate (uncredited)
1964
1960
as Willetts
1958
as Mack Bryant - Dept. of Immigration (uncredited)
1958
as Marcia Linnekar's Attorney (uncredited)
1957
1957
as Police Sergeant
1957
as Frank - Studio Guard
1957
as Celia's Supervisor (uncredited)
1957
as Larkin - Man Stealing Guns (uncredited)
1957
as Keenan
1956
as Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
1956
as Paul Revere
1956
as President Jackson's Aide (uncredited)
1956
as Dee Havalik
1955
as Nels Comstock
1955
as Rustler
1955
as Logan
1955
as John Hirschbeck
1955
as Townsman
1955
1955
as Devon
1954
as O'Connor
1954
as Dave Rudabaugh
1954
as Steve Castle (as Bill Tannen)
1954
as Emmett Dalton
1954
as Sergeant Reed
1953
as Henchman Joe
1953
as Director
1953
1953
as Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1953
as Jeff Roper
1953
as Ramon
1953
as Stranger (uncredited)
1953
as Spargo
1952
as Reporter (uncredited)
1952
as Commander (uncredited)
1952
as Driggs
1952
as Toll Gate Guard
1952
as 'Doc' Edwards
1952
1951
1951
as Bill - Adjutant (uncredited)
1951
as Ed Gannon
1951
as American Captain (uncredited)
1951
as 1st Hood
1951
as Lt. Lewis
1951
as Sparks
1950
as Lieutenant
1950
as Kruger
1950
as Harry Cleaver
1950
as Bobby Lynch (uncredited)
1950
as John Kimball (as William J. Tannen)
1950
1950
as Prison Guard (uncredited)
1950
as Officer Johnson (uncredited)
1950
as Barker (uncredited)
1950
as Trump Dixon
1949
as Man in City Bar (uncredited)
1949
as Taxi Driver (uncredited)
1949
as Bart Barton
1949
as Dajek
1948
as Traveler (uncredited)
1948
as Gaylord
1948
as FBI Chemist
1947
as Dingle Clerk (Uncredited)
1946
as Officer Donahue (uncredited)
1945
as Casting Director / Dr. Caswell Snide (uncredited)
1945
as Photographer (uncredited)
1945
as Police Lab Technician Wilson (uncredited)
1945
as Wallet-Preparer (uncredited)
1945
as Officer Donohue (archive footage) (uncredited)
1944
as McKay's Assistant (uncredited)
1944
as Lead Man (Uncredited)
1944
as Jordan
1944
as Department of Transportation Representative (uncredited)
1943
as Captain
1943
as Eugene Shepherd
1943
as Joseph
1942
as Flag Lt. Dudley
1942
as France Soldier-Driver (uncredited)
1942
as Mechanic at the pyramid (uncredited)
1942
as Mechanic (uncredited)
1942
as Army Stage Manager (Uncredited)
1942
as Jasper Dean
1942
as Mike, an Airport Clerk (uncredited)
1942
as Second Railroad Yardman (uncredited)
1942
as Devlan
1942
as Agent Flammer
1942
as Frank R. Stockton
1942
as Ludwig
1942
as Ellis
1942
as Eddie
1941
as Missing Couple-Skier Searcher (uncredited)
1941
as One of Lucien's Men (Uncredited)
1941
as Intern Fenwick
1941
as Robert Graves
1941
as Matt Herman
1941
as Fred Sutton
1941
as Sanitarium Attendant (uncredited)
1941
as Driver
1941
as Cafe Patron (uncredited)
1941
as Taxi Driver
1940
as Lieut. Freddy Townsend
1940
as Spath, a Gangster (uncredited)
1940
as Gus
1940
as Sgt. Reynolds
1940
as Hotel Desk Clerk #1 (uncredited)
1940
as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
1940
as Ted Milner
1940
as Mr. Franklin (voice) (uncredited)
1940
as Pierre
1940
as Nazi Clerk
1940
as Sailor
1940
as Sergeant
1940
as Harmon (uncredited)
1940
as Marshall-Agent in Antwerp
1939
as Bates - Intern (uncredited)
1939
as State Trooper (uncredited)
1939
as Radio Announcer (uncredited)
1939
as Spectator in Theatre Box
1939
as Actor as 'Soldier' (uncredited)
1939
as Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
1939
as Assistant Stage Manager (uncredited)
1939
as Sarah's Sweetheart (uncredited)
1939
as Green's Clerk
1939
as Assistant Doorman (Uncredited)
1939
as Doctor at Accident
1939
as Lewis, Arnold's Henchman
1938
as Drunk Who Trips in Las Palmas Club (uncredited)
1937
as Norman Crocker
1936
as Tony
1936
as Reporter
1936
as Governor's Aide (uncredited)
1936
as Intern Attending Terry
1936
as MGM Crime Reporter Jim (uncredited)
1936
as Kent (uncredited)
1935
as MGM Reporter
1935
as Cesar
1935
as Pee Wee Adams (Uncredited)
1934
as Rosy Rosenberg
1934
as Ronny Belvedere
1934
as The Grand Duke as Seen thru the Magic Spectacle