Ken Berry

Ken Berry Headshot

Actor • Dancer • Singer

Birth Date: November 3, 1933

Death Date: December 1, 2018

Birth Place: Moline, Illinois

American actor and dancer Ken Berry used his wholesome looks to carve out a lasting place in pop culture with his roles in the sitcoms "F Troop" (ABC, 1965-67) and "Mama's Family" (NBC/Syndicated, 1983-90). A native of Moline, Illinois, he began taking tap dance lessons as a teenager, and toured with a big band show. Later, he served in the Army alongside actor Leonard Nimoy, who helped him make contacts within the entertainment industry. After winning a military talent competition, he was invited to appear on Ed Sullivan's "The Toast of the Town" (CBS, 1948-55). Initially, he concentrated on stage performing, appearing on Broadway and as the opening act for Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. He made his television debut as a professional on "The Chevy Showroom" (ABC, 1957-60), before landing recurring roles on "The Ann Sothern Show" (CBS, 1958-61) and "Dr. Kildare" (NBC, 1961-66). In the mid-'60s he graduated to series lead with the role of Captain Wilton Parmenter on the Western comedy "F Troop." That character's good-natured earnestness would provide the template for most of Berry's remaining career. He replaced Andy Griffith when the star left his eponymous show, playing Sam Jones on the spinoff "Mayberry, RFD" (CBS, 1968-71). His background as a song-and-dance man made his a sought after guest on variety shows, most especially "The Carol Burnett Show" (CBS, 1967-1978). The actor also hosted his own short-lived variety show, "The Ken Berry 'Wow' Show" (CBS, 1972). Beyond variety, Berry also made frequent guest appearances on shows like "Love, American Style" (ABC, 1969-74) and "Fantasy Island" (ABC, 1978-84). On film, he appeared in the Disney films "Herbie Rides Again" (1974) and "The Cat from Outer Space" (1978). His time on Burnett's show proved fruitful later when he was cast as Vinton Harper on "Mama's Family." Based on a long-running sketch from "The Carol Burnett Show," the sitcom had Berry playing the son of Vicki Lawrence's acerbic "Mama" character. After the sitcom ended, the actor largely scaled back. He made a guest appearance on "The Golden Girls" (NBC, 1984-92) and his last on screen acting role was in the short-lived sitcom "Maggie Winters" (CBS, 1998-99). Berry passed away in Burbank, California on December 1, 2018 at the age of 85.

Credits

Maggie Winters

Guest Star
Show
1998

The Golden GirlsStream

Guest Star
Thor Anderson
Series
1985

Mama's FamilyStream

Actor
Vinton Harper
Series
1983

Eunice

Actor
Phillip
Movie
1982

Gimme a Break!

Guest Star
Series
1981

Walt Disney

Actor
Willoughby Whitfield
Show
1981

Peter-No-Tail

Voice
Movie
1981

Fantasy Island

Guest Star
Series
1978

The Cat From Outer Space

Actor
Frank Wilson
Movie
1978

Le Chat qui vient de l'espace

Actor
Movie
1978

CHiPsStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

Eight Is EnoughStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams

Guest Star
Will Boker
Series
1977

The Love Boat II

Actor
Jim Berkley
Movie
1977

Mountain Man

Actor
Movie
1977

Guardian of the Wilderness

Actor
Zachary Moore
Movie
1977

The Fabulous Funnies

Actor
Show
1976

Mitzi... Roarin' in the 20s

Self
Show
1976

Little House on the PrairieStream

Guest Star
London
Series
1974

TattletalesStream

Guest
Game Show
1974

Herbie Rides AgainStream

Actor
Willoughby Whitfield
Movie
1974
83%

Letters From Three Lovers

Actor
Jack
Movie
1973

Every Man Needs One

Actor
David Chase
Movie
1972

The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour

Guest
Variety Show
1971

The Reluctant Heroes

Actor
Lt. Parnell Murphy
Movie
1971

Love, American Style

Actor
Calvin
Series
1969

The Brady BunchStream

Guest Star
Series
1969
78%

Wake Me When the War Is Over

Actor
Lt. Roger Carrington
Movie
1969

Hello Down There

Actor
Mel Cheever
Movie
1969

Mayberry R.F.D.Stream

Actor
Sam Jones
Series
1968

The Carol Burnett ShowStream

Guest
Variety Show
1967

The Carol Burnett ShowStream

Guest Star
Variety Show
1967

F TroopStream

Actor
Capt. Wilton Parmenter
Series
1965

Combat!

Guest Star
Series
1962

The Lucy ShowStream

Guest Star
Series
1962

The Dick Van Dyke ShowStream

Guest Star
Tony Daniels
Series
1961

Dr. Kildare

Actor
Series
1961

Dr. Kildare

Guest Star
Series
1961

HazelStream

Guest Star
Series
1961

The Andy Griffith ShowStream

Actor
Sam Jones
Series
1960

The Andy Griffith ShowStream

Guest Star
Sam Jones
Series
1960

RawhideStream

Guest Star
Series
1959

The Ann Sothern Show

Actor
Woody
Show
1958