Parley Edward Baer was born on August 5, 1914, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Raised in a supportive family, Baer showed an early interest in performance and storytelling. He attended the University of Utah, where he studied theater and began honing his craft as an actor.
His academic background provided the foundation for his later success in multiple entertainment mediums. Baer’s life took a significant turn during World War II when he joined the United States Army Air Forces. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, attaining the rank of Captain. He served from 1942 to 1946 in the Pacific Theater,
earning an Army Presidential Unit Citation, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and seven service stars. Parley Baer began his professional career in radio, a medium where his distinctive voice and delivery made him a standout performer. In the 1930s he served on radio as director of special events for KSL. His first network show was The Whistler.
He became widely known as Chester Wesley Proudfoot, Marshall Matt Dillon’s loyal deputy, on the iconic radio series Gunsmoke. Baer also appeared in numerous other radio programs, including The Whistler and Suspense. His versatile voice acting made him a sought-after talent, ensuring his prominence during the golden age of radio.
Radio
- Railroad Hour
- Count of Monte Cristo 2 ep.
- Suspense 1946-1959 27 ep.
- Lux Radio Theater 1947-1955 14 ep.
- Escape 1948-1954 7 ep.
- NBC University Theater 1949 4 ep.
- Family Theater 1950
- Whistler 1950-1952 3 ep.
- Story of Dr Kildare, The 1950
- Granbys Green Acres 1950 4 ep.
- This is Your FBI 1950 2 ep.
- Honest Harold (The Harold Peary Show) 1950-1951 20ep.
- Night Beat 1950
- New Years Shows Collection 1950
- Lineup 1950-1951 2 ep.
- Tales of the Texas Rangers 1951-1952 13 ep.
- Hallmark Playhouse 1951 2 ep.
- Silent Men 1952
- Hollywood Star Playhouse 1952
- Gunsmoke 1952-1961 176 ep.
- Yours Truly Johnny Dollar 1953-1959 12 ep.
- Rogers Of The Gazette 1953 4 ep.
- Fibber McGee and Molly 1953-1954 10 ep.
- Crime Classics 1954
- Barrie Craig Confidential Investigator 1954-1955 2 ep.
- CBS Radio Workshop 1956-1957 2 ep.
- Fort Laramie 1956
- Frontier Gentleman 1958
Transitioning to television, Baer became a familiar face to audiences with his roles in various popular series. He appeared as Mayor Stoner in The Andy Griffith Show and had recurring roles in Hogan’s Heroes, The Addams Family, and Perry Mason.
TV
- The Dennis Day Show (1952)
- Dragnet (1952)
- The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1954)
- The Loretta Young Show (1954)
- Father Knows Best (1955)
- The Bob Cummings Show (1955)
- Our Miss Brooks (1952-1955)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1956)
- December Bride (1956)
- I Love Lucy (1955-1957)
- Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre (1956-1957)
- Official Detective (1958)), TV Series) as Gaunt
- Zane Grey Theater (1956-1959)
- Make Room for Daddy (1956-1960)
- The Real McCoys (1958-1960)
- The Rifleman (1959-1961)
- Dennis the Menace (1959-1962)
- The Tom Ewell Show (1960)
- The Dick Powell Theatre (1962)
- General Electric Theater (1954-1962)
- Bachelor Father (1962)
- Have Gun – Will Travel (1959-1962)
- Laramie (1962)
- The Andy Griffith Show (1962-1963)
- Rawhide (1963)
- Dr. Kildare (1963)
- Wagon Train (1962-1963)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1964)
- The Jack Benny Program (1964)
- The Outer Limits (1964)
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1964)
- The Joey Bishop Show (1964)
- Hazel (1965)
- My Favorite Martian (1965)
- Death Valley Days (1963-1965)
- The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (1953-1965)
- F Troop (1965)
- Burke’s Law (1965)
- The Farmer’s Daughter (1965-1966)
- Bonanza (1961-1966)
- The Addams Family (1965-1966)
- Perry Mason (1961-1966)
- The Fugitive (1964-1967)
- The Phyllis Diller Show (1966-1967)
- Rango (1967)
- Laredo (1967)
- I Dream of Jeannie (1967)
- Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1966-1967)
- The Lucy Show (1962-1967)
- Lassie (1968)
- Judd for the Defense (1968)
- Ironside (1968)
- The Name of the Game (1969)
- Land of the Giants (1969)
- The Doris Day Show (1969)
- Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1969)
- Mannix (1970)
- Petticoat Junction (1965-1970)
- The F.B.I. (1965-1970)
- The Bill Cosby Show (1970)
- The Virginian (1962-1970)
- Green Acres (1965-1971)
- Mod Squad (1971)
- Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1959-1971)
- Here’s Lucy (1971)
- Bewitched (1966-1972)
- Medical Center (1971-1973)
- Kung Fu (1973)
- The Streets of San Francisco (1976)
- The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
- Charlie’s Angels (1978-1979)
- The Incredible Hulk (1979)
- B.J. and the Bear (1980)
- Little House on the Prairie (1976-1980)
- WKRP in Cincinnati (1980)
- Knots Landing (1981, TV Series) as Old Man
- An Ozzie and Harriet Christmas (1981)
- Hart to Hart (1982)
- Lou Grant (1979-1982)
- Father Murphy (1982)
- Dallas (1982)
- Archie Bunker’s Place (1983)
- Three’s Company (1983)
- The A-Team (1984)
- The Dukes of Hazzard (1981-1984)
- Simon & Simon (1986)
- Newhart (1984-1987)
- The Golden Girls (1987)
- Night Court (1988)
- Growing Pains (1989)
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991)
- Quantum Leap (1991-1992)
- Mad About You (1993)
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1993)
- The Young and the Restless (1993-1996)
- L.A. Law (1990-1994)
- Roswell (1994)
- Renegade (1994)
- Coach (1995)
- Star Trek: Voyager (1996)
Baer’s filmography also included supporting roles in movies such as The Young Lions (1958) and Gypsy (1962), showcasing his adaptability across genres. Parley Baer married Ernestine Clarke in 1946, and the couple shared a devoted partnership until her death in 2000. Together, they raised two daughters and maintained a close-knit family life. Baer’s genial personality and commitment to his craft were well-known among his colleagues, and he was often described as a gentleman both on and off set.
Movies
- The Kid from Texas (1950)
- Comanche Territory (1950)
- Union Station (1950)
- The Company She Keeps (1951)
- Three Guys Named Mike (1951)
- Air Cadet (1951)
- The Fat Man (1951)
- The Frogmen (1951)
- People Will Talk (1951)
- Elopement (1952)
- Red Skies of Montana (1952)
- Deadline – U.S.A. (1952)
- Fearless Fagan (1952)
- Something for the Birds (1952)
- Pickup on South Street (1953)
- Vicki (1953)
- The Gambler from Natchez (1954)
- D-Day the Sixth of June (1956)
- Away All Boats (1956)
- Drango (1957)
- The Young Lions (1958)
- Paul Bunyan (1958)
- The FBI Story (1959)
- Cash McCall (1960)
- Wake Me When It’s Over (1960)
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960)
- A Fever in the Blood (1961)
- The Spiral Road (1962)
- Gypsy (1962)
- The Brass Bottle (1964)
- Bedtime Story (1964)
- Two on a Guillotine (1965)
- Those Calloways (1965)
- Bus Riley’s Back in Town (1965)
- Fluffy (1965)
- The Money Trap (1965)
- Marriage on the Rocks (1965)
- The Ugly Dachshund (1966)
- Follow Me, Boys! (1966)
- The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967)
- The Gnome-Mobile (1967)
- Day of the Evil Gun (1968)
- Counterpoint (1968)
- Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? (1968)
- Young Billy Young (1969)
- Skin Game (1971)
- Sixteen (1973)
- The Amazing Dobermans (1976)
- Carbon Copy (1981)
- White Dog (1982)
- Doctor Detroit (1983)
- Chattanooga Choo Choo (1984)
- Pray for Death (1985)
- Flag (1986)
- License to Drive (1988)
- Time Trackers (1989)
- Almost an Angel (1990)
- Space Case (1992)
- Dave (1993)
- King B: A Life in the Movies (1993)
- Last of the Dogmen (1995)
Parley Baer passed away on November 22, 2002, in Los Angeles, California, at 88. His career spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible mark on American entertainment. From his start in radio to his memorable television roles, Baer’s work continues to be appreciated by fans of classic media.
Further Reading
Sources
- Old Time Radio Downloads “Parley Baer” https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/actors/parley-baer
- Wikipedia “Parley Baer” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parley_Baer
- IMDB “Parley Baer(1914-2002)” https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0046373/
