Biography
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Lyle S. Bettger (February 13, 1915 – September 24, 2003) was a character actor known most for his Hollywood roles from the 1950s, typically portraying villains. He is perhaps most recognisable as the wrathfully jealous elephant handler Klaus from the Oscar winning film The Greatest Show on Earth (1952).
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lyle was the son of Frank Bettger, who was an infielder for the St Louis Cardinals. An enthusiastic fan of cinema, Lyle left school in his late teens with the ambition of becoming an actor.
Bettger graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. His theatrical debut was in Brother Rat at the Biltmore Theatre in New York City in 1936. After a period languishing in small-time theatre he landed the lead role in the Broadway production of The Flying Gerardos in 1940. When Paramount sent a talent scout to see the show, Bettger was signed on a three-year contract.
Bettger's movie career began when he was cast as the lead in the film noir No Man of Her Own (1950). He soon became a regular on the set of Westerns such as Denver and Rio Grande (1952), The Great Sioux Uprising (1953), Drums Across the River (1954), The Lone Ranger (1956) and Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957). Lyle developed a reputation for playing the bad guy and excelled in villainous roles such as the menacing Joe Beacom in Union Station (1950) and the cold-blooded Nazi Chief Officer Kirchner in The Sea Chase (1955).
Bettger also made many appearances in dramatic roles on television, starring in the 1957 series The Court of Last Resort as well as guesting on Hawaii Five-O, Rawhide, The Rifleman, Bonanza and The Time Tunnel.
Lyle was married to Mary Rolfe (1940–1996) until her death. They had three children: Lyle Jr., Frank and Paula. He was also survived by a sister, Lee Morgan.
Lyle Bettger died on September 24, 2003 in San Luis Obispo County, California.
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Filmography
all 54
Movies 29
TV Shows 25
self 1
La Classe américaine (1993)
M Station: Hawaii (1980)
Police Story (1973)
The Hawaiians (1970)
Impasse (1969)
Hawaii Five-O (1968)
Mannix (1967)
Cimarron Strip (1967)
The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967)
Return of the Gunfighter (1967)
The Time Tunnel (1966)
Nevada Smith (1966)
Johnny Reno (1966)
Blue Light (1966)
Town Tamer (1965)
Daniel Boone (1964)
Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963)
Mr. Novak (1963)
Burke's Law (1963)
Grindl (1963)
Combat! (1962)
The Tall Man (1960)
Guns of the Timberland (1960)
Law of the Plainsman (1959)
The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1959)
Laramie (1959)
The Deputy (1959)
Rawhide (1959)
Gundown at Sandoval (1959)
The Rifleman (1958)
The Court of Last Resort (1957)
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956)
Showdown at Abilene (1956)
The Lone Ranger (1956)
The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955)
Gunsmoke (1955)
The Sea Chase (1955)
Destry (1954)
Drums Across the River (1954)
Carnival Story (1954)
Forbidden (1953)
The Great Sioux Uprising (1953)
All I Desire (1953)
The Vanquished (1953)
Hurricane Smith (1952)
Denver and Rio Grande (1952)
The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
Dear Brat (1951)
The First Legion (1951)
Union Station (1950)
Lux Video Theatre (1950)
No Man of Her Own (1950)
Ratings
Gallery
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1915-02-13
Deathday2003-09-24 (88 years old)
Birth PlacePhiladelphia, United States of America
FatherFrank Bettger
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
Also Known AsLyle Stathem Bettger
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