Sam Buffington was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Invasion of the Saucer Men, Unwed Mother, and Damn Citizen. Born on October 12, 1931, in Swansea, Massachusetts, he had a notable career in the mid-20th century before his untimely death.
Personal and Family Life
Sam Buffington was married to Patsy Ann Whitehouse from July 15, 1953, until his death in 1960. He was the son of Carl Buffington and Annette Blanche Gendron. Known for his deep voice, Buffington began his career as a disc jockey at WHIM radio in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1953.
Career
Buffington gained recognition on CBS Radio as Luke Slaughter in Tombstone in 1958. He often portrayed older characters despite being much younger. At the time of his passing, he was featured regularly in the television series Whispering Smith.
Death and Legacy
Sam Buffington died by suicide on May 15, 1960, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 28. The circumstances surrounding his death revealed that he was struggling with feelings of despondency related to his ability to support his wife. His legacy is remembered through his film performances and impact on the western genre in film and radio.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Invasion of the Saucer Men | 1957-06-01 | Col. Ambrose, USAF |
| The Rawhide Trail | 1958-01-25 | James Willard |
| Unwed Mother | 1958-11-23 | John Pauley |
| Blue Denim | 1959-07-30 | Abortionist |
| The Light in the Forest | 1958-07-08 | George Owens |
| Damn Citizen | 1958-03-01 | DeButts |
| The Brothers Karamazov | 1958-02-20 | Tipsy Merchant |
| King Creole | 1958-07-02 | Dr. Martin Cabot (uncredited) |
| The Barbara Stanwyck Show | 1960-09-19 | Vic Trenton |
| Alfred Hitchcock Presents | 1955-10-02 | Waldren |
| Whispering Smith | 1961-05-08 | John Richards |
| Black Saddle | 1959-01-10 | Noah Bailey |
| Maverick | 1957-09-22 | Ponca Brown / Logan / Bigelow |
| Wanted: Dead or Alive | 1958-09-06 | Fred the Bartender |
| Behind Closed Doors | 1958-10-02 | Horne |