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--Born May 3, 1905 in Ohio--Died June 9, 1979 in Hollywood, California at the age of 74. He was survived by his wife of 55 years Alice and at least 3 children. He is buried at the Valhalla Cemetery in North Hollywood.
--Was appearing on network radio shows from the mid-1940s; appearing on such series as Cavalcade of America, Lux Radio Theatre, Your Movietown Radio Theatre, Let George Do It, Family Theatre, NBC University Theatre, Screen Director's Playhouse and later Your Truly Johnny Dollar, Adventures of the Saint, Tales of the Texas Rangers, Short Story, The Line-Up, Wild Bill Hickok, Philip Marlowe, Suspense, Stars Over Hollywood, Father Knows Best, The Whistler, The Roy Rogers Show, Escape, Have Gun-Will Travel, Fort Laramie, and Gunsmoke.
--One of Nusser's best friends since the 1940s was comic actor Jim Backus, also an Ohio native.
--His best known role is that of Dodge City's town drunk, Louie Pheeters on the long running tv series Gunsmoke. Nusser played the role more than 70 times over an 11 year period. Episodes from the 1968 and 1969 tend to feature his best characterizations ("The Long Night" and "The Night Riders" among his best).
--In real life, he unfortunately had a drinking problem like his more famous tv character.
Films of James Nusser
BONZO GOES TO COLLEGE 1952
ONE GIRL'S CONFESSION 1953
IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO YOU 1954
MOHAWK 1956
HELL CANYON OUTLAWS 1957
RARE BREED 1966
HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE 1967
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE LIGHT
WENT OUT? 1968
HAIL, HERO! 1969
CAHILL, US MARSHAL 1973
Television Work of James Nusser
SPACE PATROL 19510818 UNDERWATER HIDEOUT
GANGBUSTERS 19520000 DURABLE MIKE MALLOY CASE
I MARRIED JOAN 19540317 HOME OF THE WEEK
THE LINEUP 19541210 COP SHOOTING
TV READER'S DIGEST 19550000 AMERICA'S MASTER COUNTERFEITOR
I MARRIED JOAN 19550302 LADY & THE PRIZEFIGHTER
MAN BEHIND THE BADGE 19550528 CASE OF THE UNWELCOME STRANGER
SGT. PRESTON OF THE YUKON 19551229 MAD WOLF OF LOST CANYON
JANE WYMAN SHOW 19560000 NO MORE TEARS
GUNSMOKE 19560317 HELPING HAND
GUNSMOKE 19560526 THE KILLER
DRAGNET 19561227 THE BIG HANDCUFFS
BROKEN ARROW 19570129 THE MISSIONARIES
GUNSMOKE 19570504 CHEAP LABOR
PERRY MASON 19571207 CASE OF THE NEGLIGENT NYMPH
THE LINEUP 19580110 WILLARD PEABODY CASE
THE LINEUP 19580307 LOUIE LAWRENCE CASE
GUNSMOKE 19580308 DOOLEY SURRENDERS
COURT OF LAST RESORT 19580404 TODD-LOOMIS CASE
THE LINEUP 19580530 SAMSON MAGILL CASE
THE TEXAN 19581020 THE FIRST NOTCH
PETER GUNN 19590601 VENDETTA
BAT MASTERSON 19600303 CATTLE AND CANE
GUNSMOKE 19601015 PEACE OFFICER
RIVERBOAT 19601128 THE QUOTA
STAGECOACH WEST 19601213 THE STORM
MRS. G. GOES TO COLLEGE 19610000 MRS. G.'S PRIVATE TELEPHONE
GUNSMOKE 19610325 BIG MAN
BAT MASTERSON 19610406 LEDGER OF GUILT
GUNSMOKE 19610930 PERCE
GUNSMOKE 19611007 OLD YELLOW BOOTS
THE UNTOUCHABLES 19611026 TUNNEL OF HORROR
GUNSMOKE 19611230 A MAN FOR A DAY
TARGET: THE CORRUPTORS 19620000 JOURNEY INTO MORNING
GUNSMOKE 19620106 THE DO-BADDER
BEN CASEY 19620115 IMAGINE A LONG BRIGHT CORRIDOR
GUNSMOKE 19620303 THE GALLOWS
GUNSMOKE 19620526 THE BOYS
GUNSMOKE 19621013 JENNY
GUNSMOKE 19630105 LOUIE PHEETERS
GUNSMOKE 19630202 THE COUSIN
GUNSMOKE 19630302 QUINT'S INDIAN
GUNSMOKE 19630330 WITH A SMILE
GUNSMOKE 19630406 THE FAR PLACES
GUNSMOKE 19630413 PANACEA SYKES
THE FUGITIVE 19630924 THE WITCH
GUNSMOKE 19631012 LEGENDS DON'T SLEEP
GUNSMOKE 19631026 EASY COME
TEMPLE HOUSTON 19631128 BILLY HART
GUNSMOKE 19631221 THE MAGICIAN
GUNSMOKE 19631228 PA HACK'S BROOD
GUNSMOKE 19640208 NO HANDS
GUNSMOKE 19640222 THE BASSOPS
GUNSMOKE 19640307 COMANCHES IS SOFT
GUNSMOKE 19640425 THE PROMOTER
GUNSMOKE 19640606 JOURNEY FOR THREE
GUNSMOKE 19641024 DOCTOR'S WIFE
GUNSMOKE 19641212 INNOCENCE
GUNSMOKE 19650109 RUN SHEEP RUN
GUNSMOKE 19650206 CIRCUS TRICK
GUNSMOKE 19650213 SONG FOR DYING
GUNSMOKE 19650327 THE LADY
GUNSMOKE 19650403 DRY ROAD TO NOWHERE
THE FUGITIVE 19650406 A.P.B.
GUNSMOKE 19650424 GILT GUILT
GUNSMOKE 19650529 HE WHO STEALS
GUNSMOKE 19651016 TAPS FOR OLD JEB
LONG HOT SUMMER 19651028 NO HIDING PLACE
GUNSMOKE 19651106 THE REWARD
GUNSMOKE 19651113 MALACHI
GUNSMOKE 19660122 THE RAID: Parts 1/2
THE ROAD WEST 19660926 THE GUNFIGHTER
GUNSMOKE 19661203 THE NEWCOMERS
GUNSMOKE 19670128 MAIL DROP
GUNSMOKE 19670408 NITRO!: Parts 1/2
GUNSMOKE 19670911 THE WRECKERS
GUNSMOKE 19670918 CATTLE BARONS
GUNSMOKE 19670925 THE PRODIGAL
THE VIRGINIAN 19671004 STAR CROSSED
GUNSMOKE 19671009 VENGEANCE: Parts 1/2
CIMARRON STRIP 19671116 TILL THE END OF THE NIGHT
GUNSMOKE 19671120 STRANGER IN TOWN
WILD WILD WEST 19671124 NIGHT OF THE LEGION OF DEATH
THE VIRGINIAN 19671213 EXECUTION AT TRISTE
GUNSMOKE 19671225 BAKER'S DOZEN
GUNSMOKE 19680108 DEADMAN'S LAW
GUNSMOKE 19680115 NOWHERE TO RUN
GUNSMOKE 19680122 BLOOD MONEY
GUNSMOKE 19680226 MR. SAM'L
GUNSMOKE 19680923 LYLE'S KID
GUNSMOKE 19681014 UNCLE FINNEY
GUNSMOKE 19681021 SLOCUM
GUNSMOKE 19681028 O'QUILLIAN
THE VIRGINIAN 19681106 RIDE TO MISADVENTURE
GUNSMOKE 19681125 RAILROAD
THE OUTSIDER 19681127 I CAN'T HEAR YOU SCREAM
GUNSMOKE 19681216 LOBO
GUNSMOKE 19690113 TIME OF THE JACKALS
GUNSMOKE 19690120 MANNON
GUNSMOKE 19690127 GOLD TOWN
GUNSMOKE 19690203 MARK OF CAIN
GUNSMOKE 19690210 THE REPRISAL
GUNSMOKE 19690217 THE LONG NIGHT
GUNSMOKE 19690224 THE NIGHT RIDERS
GUNSMOKE 19690317 THE PRISONER
GUNSMOKE 19690324 EXODUS 21:22
THEN CAME BRONSON 19690924 THE OLD MOTORCYCLE FIASCO
GUNSMOKE 19690929 STRYKER
GUNSMOKE 19691117 A MATTER OF HONOR
WORLD OF DISNEY 19700301 MENACE ON THE MOUNTAIN: Parts 1/2
GUNSMOKE 19700302 MORGAN
GUNSMOKE 19700309 THE THIEVES
MOD SQUAD 19700929 SEE THE EAGLES DYING
GUNSMOKE 19720103 NO TOMORROW
NIGHT GALLERY 19720105 THE TUNE IN DAN'S CAFE
MANNIX 19720924 CRY SILENCE
THE WALTONS 19721005 THE HUNT
GOODNIGHT MY LOVE 19721017 tv movie
MCMILLAN & WIFE 19750216 LOVE, HONOR & SWINDLE
CANNON 19760107 THE REFORMER
HOW THE WEST WAS WON 19780521
32 comments:
Louie was (is) one of my favorite Gunsmoke characters. Definitely a high class gentleman in and through his town drunk role. I've wondered what his old west past was that led him to become the kind of down and out character he portrayed.
Louie was a class act on gunsmoke. My husband, myself, Mom and Dad watch Gunsmoke every night at 6pm on Encore Westerns. We love all the characters played. My favorite is Doc and everyone loves Louie. Sad to read he had a real drinking problem, that is probably how he made his character seem so real.
Jim & Naneha (Nan) Lee
leyneficdadudLouie was one of my favorite Gunsmoke Characters too! John and I watch all the Westerns on Encore.
Im sitting here right now watching an episode of Gunsmoke with Louie in the starring role on ME TV ...I didnt know Louie has passed on..To the Nusser Family so sorry for your loss..What A Great Actor..Family cherish the memories of your loved one..A GUNSMOKE FAN.....
I also watch Gunsmoke a lot, and Louie is one of my favorite ones on the show. He makes me just wanna buy him a drink.
OMG....Louie was without a doubt always a class act !!
Gunsmoke was the finest show 'ever' on tv. The cast of characters were amazing. Louie, Festus, Chester, Doc and Sam the bartender were great actors. To me Louie and Festus were the best.Doc was one of a kind. They are all gone now except for Newley , may they REST IN PEACE.
Jimfet50@verizon.net
Gunsmoke was the finest show 'ever' on tv. The cast of characters were amazing. Louie, Festus, Chester, Doc and Sam the bartender were great actors. To me Louie and Festus were the best.Doc was one of a kind. They are all gone now except for Newley , may they REST IN PEACE.
Jimfet50@verizon.net
I too love Gunsmoke and Louie was a favourite, I watched it from first episode as a kid, my son recently bought me the complete box set, still enjoying it at 65yrs, best tv show ever
Just watched "A Matter of Honor" and Louie just tugged at my heartstrings! Love the show so much I can't stop watching it.
his best work on gunsmoke was ,I think, in nitro!w/ david canary who was also first rate.when he stands up to bruce dern in 'long night'he is also magnificent!he does it not so much for himself, but to mayby save doc's life.he dern's character guerrin sees his old man in louie, and louie turns out the better man.
yeah,me again. for an ancillary character louie was given some great li nes .I'm watching 'night riders' now." come all the way to dodge for a dead man and now you,ll be bringin' one back".
yeah,me again. for an ancillary character louie was given some great li nes .I'm watching 'night riders' now." come all the way to dodge for a dead man and now you,ll be takin' one back".
Im 43 years old. I found Gunsmoke after binge watching Maverick. Im on season 19 now and Im so depressed knowing the end is near. I just realized I have not seen Louie for a spell and now I know why. What a great actor that man was,as with everybody else who ever set foot on that set. Gunsmoke was the best show ever made and nothing in this world of crap TV will ever compare. This show will survive the test of time ,my 13-year-old daughter watches with me.
Mike,Milford CT
All of the cast members of Gunsmoke were GREAT. I'm 69 years of age and still watching. They were all my favorites, but Doc,Fests,and Louie were my most favored. Dirty Sally was damned good too. We need more good westerns of Gunsmoke nature on T.V. today,,,hell,,we need more actors of that caliber period !
YES I TO ARE A BIG BIG FAN OF GUNSMOKE, I CAN WATCH IT EVERY HOUR OF EVERYDAY, THE ACTORS WERE THE BEST, MATT, DOC, CHESTER, FESTUS, MISS KITTY, SAM THE BAR KEEP, QUINT, LOUIE, MOSS GRIMICK, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST MATT DILLON. GUNSMOKE RULES #1 IN MY BOOK I LOVE IT AND ALWAYS WILL. THE SHOWS THESE DAYS ARE CRAP, IT CAN'T COMPARE TO GUNSMOKE IN DODGE CITY KANSAS. 🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒
YES I TO ARE A BIG BIG FAN OF GUNSMOKE, I CAN WATCH IT EVERY HOUR OF EVERYDAY, THE ACTORS WERE THE BEST, MATT, DOC, CHESTER, FESTUS, MISS KITTY, SAM THE BAR KEEP, QUINT, LOUIE, MOSS GRIMICK, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST MATT DILLON. GUNSMOKE RULES #1 IN MY BOOK I LOVE IT AND ALWAYS WILL. THE SHOWS THESE DAYS ARE CRAP, IT CAN'T COMPARE TO GUNSMOKE IN DODGE CITY KANSAS. 🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒
YES I TO ARE A BIG BIG FAN OF GUNSMOKE, I CAN WATCH IT EVERY HOUR OF EVERYDAY, THE ACTORS WERE THE BEST, MATT, DOC, CHESTER, FESTUS, MISS KITTY, SAM THE BAR KEEP, QUINT, LOUIE, MOSS GRIMICK, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST MATT DILLON. GUNSMOKE RULES #1 IN MY BOOK I LOVE IT AND ALWAYS WILL. THE SHOWS THESE DAYS ARE CRAP, IT CAN'T COMPARE TO GUNSMOKE IN DODGE CITY KANSAS. 🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒
Louie showed the devastation of Alcoholism in the most real way I have seen on TV. That shows what a great Actor he was.
Louie played the best drunk on television,hands down. His personal experience was obviously a big help in building a character.His character always brought a smile to my face.Big fan,Billy Hayes
Louie was the Absolutely the BEST Actor of All.......he was very funny, he would play the part so well i was convinced every time he would show up he was really DRUNK.....thank you Louie I'll have a drink for you GOD Bless you
In my opinion, Louie Pheeters was the most under appreciated character on any T.V. show of any era. So many times he came to the rescue! More than once, he identified the killer or went to get the Marshall and saved someone's life. He is without a doubt my favorite character of the show. And as so many have said, he was a class act. I do wish I could find more information on James Nusser, who played the part so well. Where would great actors and actresses be without a good supporting cast? Louie was the best!
P.S. He reminds me of Otis Campbell, who had a bit of class, too.
I believe Nusser really had a drinking problem just like the character Louis.
I am 66.years old now and started watching GUNSMOKE WHEN I WAS 5 WHEN I STARTED WITH DAD HE PASSAWAY WHEN I WAS 13 I WATCH GUNSMOKE EVERY NIGHT 4 HOURS ON HOURS.
He passed 42 years ago; 34 years before you posted this.🙂
I'm a collector of Gunsmoke memorabilia and have yet to find anything from James Nusser. :(
Here's a tribute to him:
https://www.facebook.com/TheLegacyofGunsmoke/videos/4643909492387500
Love Louie all are great, but it was just so good to see Louie he always made me happy and sad because of his drinking problem. He was the best all of them were.love them all.
Ok
All us judgement people of this establishment earth
Hang your heads
Cause Marshall Dillon
In Dodge
Looking after Louis
Miss Kitty
And the Longhorn Saloon
Dead Set
Just saw a Perry Mason episode “The Case of The Negligent Nymph”, where James Nusser played the character of role of the Judge. Very uplifting to see James Nusser in this character role
I met a gentleman by the name of Victor Nusser. He lived/lives on the Upper Westside of New York City. He is about the age of a possible son to James Nusser, the resemblance is extremely striking. Victor has a similar personality to the well liked character on Gunsmoke,James Nusser. Can anyone confirm his relatives. RIP to James Nusser.
I would like to see what Victor looks like. Can someone please share some pictures?
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