I've been killed a good many times, but I took a lot of guys with me."
Part Cherokee Indian, Claude Marion Akins was born in Nelson, Georgia, on May 25, 1926, the son of a police officer and a homemaker. When he was still a small child, the Akins family moved to Bedford, Indiana, where Claude would spend his formative years. He was a 1949 graduate (theater) of Northwestern University in Chicago, and a lifelong member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
Akins' first major screen appearance came as "Sgt. 'Baldy' Dhom" in From Here To Eternity (1953). Over the next four decades, he followed that first appearance with a mixture of film, television, and stage appearances, including The Caine Mutiny (1954); Dragnet (1954); I Love Lucy (1956); Rio Bravo (1959); Comanche Station (1960); Inherit The Wind (1961); The Untouchables (1960-63); A Man Called Shenandoah (1965); The Devil's Brigade (1968); McMillan & Wife (1972); The Streets of San Francisco (1974); Murder, She Wrote (1984); and Seasons of the Heart (1993). He performed in ten episodes of Gunsmoke, five episodes of Laredo; and seven episodes of Rawhide, among other recurring appearances on various television series throughout his career.
Claude Akins as Sheriff Lobo
Originally considered for the role of Adam Cartwright, Akins is best remembered among Bonanza fans for his four episodes in 1960-62: As the hard nosed federal marshal "Emmett Dowd" in Desert Justice; the psychotically evil hired hand "Ezekiel" in The Mill; the sweet natured animal whisperer in the title role of Sam Hill; and "Col. Edward J. Dunwoody" in The Deserter. Four varied roles that Akins played to perfection.
Akins as "Ezekiel" in The Mill
Akins as "Col. Edward J. Dunwoody" in The Deserter
As "Sam Hill"
An avid golfer, Akins played in many pro-am golf tournaments to support various charities throughout his life. Today, The Claude Akins Golf Tournament is a regularly scheduled event in his adopted hometown of Bedford, Indiana.
Great with a golf club...with skis, not so much!
On location for "The Manhunt For Claude Dallas", 1986
Claude Akins died from cancer in Altadena, California, on January 27, 1994. Therese Akins died in 2006. They are deeply missed by family, friends, and Claude's many fans around the world.
Sources:
Claude Akins at the imdB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015391/
Author Interview 1987