Dan Duryea - Television

Television

Duryea starred as the lead character China Smith in the television series China Smith from 1952 to 1956; and The New Adventures of China Smith from 1953 to 1954.

Duryea guest starred as Roy Budinger, the self-educated mastermind of a criminal ring dealing in silver bullion, in the episode "Terror Town" on October 18, 1958 of NBC's western series Cimarron City. Cast regular George Montgomery plays Mayor Matt Rockford, who returns from a cattle drive, only to be hostage by four half-brothers who compel him to work in a silver mine. The other Budingers are played by Don Megowan, Jonathan Haze, and Dan Blocker in the roles of Grant, Judd, and Tiny (a play on Blocker's physical size) Carl, respectively.

In 1959, Duryea appeared as an alcoholic gunfighter in third episode of The Twilight Zone, "Mr. Denton on Doomsday". He guest starred on NBC's anthology series The Barbara Stanwyck Show.

On September 15, 1959, Duryea guest starred as the outlaw Bud Carlin in the episode "Stage Stop", the premiere of NBC's Laramie western series. Series character Jess Harper (Robert Fuller) arrives in Laramie from Texas in search of a former "friend" who had robbed him, Pete Morgan, played by John Mitchum. Morgan is part of the Carlin gang, which has captured Judge Thomas J. Wilkens, portrayed by Everett Sloane, to keep Wilkens from trying Morgan. Jess and series character Slim Sherman (John Smith) put aside their initial differences and fight together when Carlin shows up at the Sherman relay station, where he proceeds to humiliate the judge.

Duryea appeared again on Laramie on October 25, 1960, in the episode "The Long Riders". He played Luke Gregg, who is saved from an Indian attack by Slim Sherman and Jess Harper, while they are rounding up mustangs for extra money. Slim invites Luke to work temporarily at the Sherman Ranch, but Jess believes something is awry when Luke mentions Slim's past association with a vigilante group in Adobe Wells, Kansas. Luke is tied to Ed McKeever, played by John Anderson, a gunman who has been targeting the former Adobe Wells vigilantes one by one. Ultimately, McKeever shoots Luke to death as Luke warns Slim of danger.

Three weeks later, on November 16, 1960, Duryea played a mentally unstable pioneer obsessed by demons and superstitions in "The Bleymier Story" of NBC's Wagon Train. In the story line, Samuel Bleymier opposes the interest shown to his daughter, Belle, portrayed by Elen Willard, by a young pioneer, Justin Claiborne, played by James Drury, some two years before the start of his The Virginian series. The episode is filmed mostly during heavy rains, high winds, and a cyclone and involves pioneers passing through a Sioux burial ground. Ultimately Bleymier dies chasing his demons.

In 1963, Duryea portrayed Dr. Ben Lorrigan on NBC's The Eleventh Hour. From 1967 to 1968, he appeared as Eddie Jacks on the soap opera Peyton Place.