Will Geer

Will Geer was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Waltons, Jeremiah Johnson, and Salt of the Earth. He was also known for his activism and passion for folk music.

Personal and Family Life

Will Geer was born on March 9, 1902, in Frankfort, Indiana, to Katherine Aughe and Roy Aaron Ghere. He had a great admiration for his grandfather, who was a teacher and a botany enthusiast. Geer was married to Herta Ware from 1938 until their divorce in 1954, and they had three children together: Ellen, Thad, and Kate Geer. He later became a proud grandfather to Ian Flanders.

Career Highlights

Geer’s long career spanned over six decades, during which he performed in theater, film, and television. He is particularly remembered for his role as Grandpa Zebulon Walton in the beloved TV series The Waltons. Additionally, he was a political activist and performed folk music with notable artists like Woody Guthrie and Burl Ives. Despite being blacklisted during the McCarthy era, he continued to influence theater through his founding of Theatricum Botanicum in California.

Death and Legacy

Will Geer passed away on April 22, 1978, in Los Angeles due to respiratory illness. He left behind a legacy as a committed actor and activist, with his ashes scattered in the Shakespearean garden at Theatricum Botanicum, a testament to his love for the arts and nature.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Seconds 1966-10-05 Old Man
Salt of the Earth 1954-03-14 Sheriff
Jeremiah Johnson 1972-09-10 Bear Claw
The Tall Target 1951-08-17 Homer Crowley
Convicted 1950-08-01 Convict Mapes
Executive Action 1973-11-07 Ferguson
Deep Waters 1948-07-22 Nick Driver
Winchester ’73 1950-07-12 Wyatt Earp
Napoleon and Samantha 1972-07-05 Grandpa
Broken Arrow 1950-08-01 Rancher
Johnny Allegro 1949-05-26 Schultzy
The Billion Dollar Hobo 1977-11-01 Choo-Choo Trayne
The Kid from Texas 1950-03-01 O’Fallon
Advise & Consent 1962-06-06 Senate Minority Leader
In Cold Blood 1967-12-15 Prosecutor
Intruder in the Dust 1949-11-22 Sheriff Hampton
It’s a Small World 1950-06-24 William Musk – Father
Double Crossbones 1951-04-26 Tom Botts
Lust for Gold 1949-06-10 Deputy Ray Covin
Pieces of Dreams 1970-09-23 The Bishop
Comanche Territory 1950-05-01 Dan’l Seeger
The Hanged Man 1974-03-13 Nameless
Brother John 1971-08-15 Doc Thomas
Bright Victory 1951-08-01 Mr. Nevins
Savage 1973-03-31 Joel Ryker
To Please a Lady 1950-10-13 Jack Mackay
Hurricane 1974-09-10 Dr. McCutcheon
Rip Van Winkle 1978-11-20 Narrator (voice)
Anna Lucasta 1949-07-11 Noah
Isn’t It Shocking? 1973-10-02 Lemuel Lovell
Moving Violation 1976-07-16 Rockfield
Bandolero! 1968-06-01 Pop Chaney
Dear Dead Delilah 1972-05-05 Roy Jurroe
The Mafu Cage 1978-03-19 Zom
Spitfire 1934-03-08 West Fry
Men and Dust 1940-11-08 Narrator (voice)
Scarecrow 1972-01-10 Justice Gilead Merton
Union Pacific 1939-05-05 Foreman (uncredited)
Black Like Me 1964-01-01 Truckdriver
Brock’s Last Case 1973-03-05 J. Smiley Krenshaw