This has not been a good month for the entertainment industry or its fans. Dennis Weaver has died at the age of 81 after his losing his bout with cancer. We have lost four great stars in a matter of a week.

Dennis will forever be remembered for two particular roles. The one, etched in the memory of everyone raised in the 1950’s and 60’s is that of the limping deputy named Chester Goode on the highly successful CBS horse-opera “Gunsmoke,” and the other was the savvy, laid back modern day cowboy sheriff in the heart of the big city, “McCloud.”

What some may not realize is that Weaver starred in a TV movie that not only help bring him out of his career type-casting after Gunsmoke, but also help to launch the career of Hollywood’s most successful director to date, Steven Spielberg. Weaver played the hapless driver who was stalked across country by the scary and persistent 18-wheeler from hell in the supernatural/thriller “Duel.”

Another big TV show he appeared in was “Gentle Ben,” co-starring with a 600 pound grizzly and Ron Howard’s baby brother Clint.

Weaver appeared in several movies, including “Touch of Evil,” “Ten Wanted Men,” “Gentle Giant,” “Seven Angry Men,” “Dragnet,” “Way … Way Out” and “The Bridges at Toko-Ri,” “Kentucky Jones,” “Emerald Point N.A.S.,” “Stone” and “Buck James.”

No stranger to political jousting Weaver served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1973 to 1975.

In his later years he served as in-house host on STARZ/Encore’s Western Channel.

Weaver and his wife were strong advocates for saving Earth’s environment. “Project Earthship” was just one of many of his environmental efforts. His home was powered by solar energy and fueled by recycled tires and cans.

Weaver is survived by his wife Gerry; sons Rick, Robby and Rusty; and three grandchildren.