Warren Vanders was best known for his roles as bad guys in a host of western television series and films, including Rooster Cogburn (1975) starring John Wayne. He also appeared in a handful of television sci-fi and fantasy productions.
He was born Warren John Vanderschuit in San Fernando, California, on May 23, 1930. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. A boxer and football star, injuries ended hopes of an athletic career. He also studied drama, and soon began appearing on television.
He was featured in the recurring role of Chuck Davis in the western series Empire in 1963. His other television credits include episodes of Mission: Impossible, The Invaders, Search, Kung Fu, and The Amazing Spider-Man. Vanders also appeared in the prehistoric tele-film The Tribe (1974), and the sci-fi mystery The Space-Watch Murders (1975). He was also seen in the 1979 docudrama The Bermuda Triangle.
Vanders died of lung cancer in a Pasadena, California, hospital on November 27, 2009, at the age of 79.
I studied method acting under Warren in the early 1980′s before an injured ankle caused me to pull out of the class. At the time, his cancer was in remission. He was a true professional, who confided in me that I could be successful in villain roles. A “mild stroke” a few years later, ended my emerging career. But I always appreciated the support I’d gotten from Warren and a few other proffesionals.
About 1960 Warren taught an acting class one night a week at El Monte Hgh School. I lived in Monrovia but I hitch-hiked down Myrytle Ave. and Peck Road to attend the classes. Warren was into
METHOD ACTING — “you don’t act, you react”. A few years later my Mom found a newspaper article promoting “EMPIRE.” The writer compared Charles Bronson and Warren About 1968 I was back in Monrovia visiting friends. I went with an Ex-girlfriend to see a Dean Martin Western. Warren was the shotgun toating bartender. The girl I was with didn’t think I really knew him. We stayed until the credits ran. I never really tried to be an actor but 50 years later I’m still reacting.
Grant JOHNSTON, Chico, CA