Ken Mayer (June 25, 1918 – January 30, 1985) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of Major Robbie Robertson in the 1950s television series, Space Patrol.
Career Following service in the United States Army Air Corps' intelligence division, Mayer pursued acting at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, at which he garnered the "best-actor" award in 1948.
In addition to being the announcer on The Pinky Lee Show, Besides Space Patrol, Mayer appeared in the television series, Father Knows Best, Whirlybirds, Harbor Command, Casey Jones, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Adventures of Superman, Jefferson Drum, Cimarron City, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Rescue 8, Yancy Derringer, Gunsmoke (Episodes: "Sweet and Sour" in 1957, "Widow's Mite" in 1958, "The Cook" in 1960 & "Mistaken Identity" in 1967), Trackdown, The Alaskans, Black Saddle, Wanted Dead or Alive, Sugarfoot, Johnny Ringo, Overland Trail, Law of the Plainsman, The Texan, Peter Gunn, Two Faces West, Cheyenne, Maverick, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Rawhide, Wagon Train, My Favorite Martian, The Virginian, and Bonanza, among others. Mayer's work in TV commercials included those for Stroh's beer and Monroe shock absorbers.
Mayer was cast as Marshal Hobe Martin in the 1962 episode, "Girl with a Gun," on the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days, hosted by Stanley Andrews. That same year Mayer appeared as Deputy Clay Friendly on The Virginian in the episode titled "The Accomplice."
Mayer appeared in the films Ambush at Cimarron Pass, The Miracle of the Hills, Frontier Uprising, Gun Fight, You Have to Run Fast, The Clown and the Kid, Jack the Giant Killer, Black Gold, Spencer's Mountain, The New Interns, Bonnie and Clyde, The Last Challenge, and Little Big Man.
He died of a heart attack on January 30, 1985, in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California at age 66.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1955 Tight Spot Policeman Uncredited1958 Ambush at Cimarron Pass Cpl. Schwitzer 1958 I Want to Live! Drunk at Party Uncredited1959 Never Steal Anything Small Angeletti Uncredited1959 The Miracle of the Hills Milo Estes 1959 The FBI Story Casket Salesman 1961 Frontier Uprising Beaver McBride 1961 Gun Fight Joe Emery 1961 You Have to Run Fast Injun George 1961 The Clown and the Kid Trooper 1962 Jack the Giant Killer Boatswain 1962 Black Gold Felker 1963 Spencer's Mountain Mr. John 1964 The New Interns Detective Harper 1965 One Way Wahine Hugo Sokol 1967 Bonnie and Clyde Sheriff Smoot Uncredited1967 The Last Challenge Tom Garrison Uncredited1970 Little Big Man First Sergeant
Television Year Title Role Notes1958 Gunsmoke Zack Morton S3:E35, "Widow's Mite"1959 Wanted Dead or Alive Charlie Trace S2:E16, "Vanishing Act"1960 Rawhide Sam Burton S2:E15, "Incident of the Devil and His Due"1960 Gunsmoke Jack Purdy S6E14, "The Cook" 1960 Rawhide Swanson S3:E8, "Incident at Poco Tiempo"1961 Rawhide Thompson S3:E23, "Incident of the Phantom Bugler"1961 Rawhide Joe Stapp S3:E30, "Incident of the Wager on Payday"
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