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Biography of Arthur Lee Hunnicutt

Arthur Lee Hunnicutt was an American character actor who gained fame for his roles as wise old rural residents. He played the original Uncle Jesse in the adventure comedy film "Moonrunners" (1975), which led to the creation of the hit TV series "The Dukes of Hazzard" (1979-1985), where the role was portrayed by actor Denver Pyle.

Born on February 17, 1910, in Gravelly, Arkansas, Arthur Lee Hunnicutt attended Arkansas State Teachers College but dropped out in his third year due to financial difficulties. He moved to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, where he joined a theater group before eventually relocating to New York. In New York, he quickly found success, playing various roles in Broadway productions.

During his time touring as the lead actor in the play "Tobacco Road," which was later adapted into a film, he developed a rural character that would become his signature throughout his career. Interestingly, even as a young man, Hunnicutt often played characters much older than himself.

He made his big screen debut in 1942 in the drama film "Wildcat" and appeared in about fifteen feature films before returning to the theater stage. In 1949, he returned to Hollywood and resumed his film career.

Throughout his life, Hunnicutt played a significant number of supporting characters, often portraying kind and wise old men from rural areas. Some of his notable roles include the war drama "The Red Badge of Courage" (1951), the westerns "The Lusty Men" (1952), "The Tall T" (1957), and "El Dorado" (1966), and the comedy film "The Kettles in The Ozarks" (1955).

In 1952, Hunnicutt was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the western film "The Big Sky" directed by Howard Hawks.

During the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, Hunnicutt appeared in around forty guest-star roles on American television, including popular series such as "Bonanza," "Gunsmoke," "The Virginian," "My Three Sons," "The Outer Limits," "Perry Mason," and "The Twilight Zone." His final work was in the western film "Winterhawk" in 1975.

In his later years, Hunnicutt served as an honorary mayor in Northridge, California, and battled tongue cancer. He passed away on September 26, 1979, and was buried at Coop Prairie Cemetery in Mansfield, Arkansas. He was married to Pauline Lile.