Dewey Martin, ‘Twilight Zone’ Vet, Dies @ 94

Dewey Martin, a muscular lead and supporting player of the '50s and '60s, reportedly passed away on April 9 of this year — but due to his reclusive nature, the death went unreported until now.

Dewey Martin, December 8, 1923—April 9, 2018 (Image via PR still)

Martin is listed by SAG as as having died at age 94.

A Texas native, Martin was a WWII vet who was shot down and captured by the Japanese, spending part of 1945 as a POW.

Dewey in his prime (Images via stills)

He made his film debut in Knock on Any Door (1949), and received his first credit in the following year's The Golden Gloves Story, which made use of his boxer's physique.

(Image via head shot)

Possibly his most famous big-screen role was in the sci-fi favorite The Thing from Another World (1951). he also appeared in The Big Sky (1952), Land of the Pharaohs (1955), The Desperate Hours (1955), Ten Thousand Bedrooms (1957) and Seven Alone (1974).

His best-known role overall was as the craven Officer Corey in the 1960 "I Shot an Arrow into the Air" episode of The Twilight Zone, in which his character murders the only other survivors of a space crash onto an asteroid in order to steal the entire water supply, only to discover they'd been wrecked right outside Reno, Nevada, all along.

He also memorably played Daniel Boone from 1961-1962 for Disney, appeared on the 1965 "The Premonition" episode of The Outer Limits and was known for a tumultuous, short marriage to singer Peggy Lee (1920-2002).

On episodic TV later in his career (Image via still)

RIP to this talented and, unfortunately, all-too-forgotten actor.

10 Responses

  1. A good actor, extremely handsome, and a war hero. So sorry for his wife and family.

  2. A very fine actor a very handsome leading man and character actor. Another loss another light to leave this world less bright. A fellow veteran I salute you- rest in peace sir!

  3. I only knew him in later life, but he was interesting, funny, loving of his family and a very nice man

    • Matthew Rettenmund

      How cool that you knew him.

  4. A very fine actor and handsome man. Blessed with longevity. Rest In Paradise. 💞🙏🏾

  5. Iva

    He took me on a dinner date in 1974 from my home in LA Jolla, California. I was 24 and working as a Veterinary technician.
    We talked about his marriage to Peggy Lee and what a lively person she was
    A complete gentleman, and after dinner, took me home, kissed me on the check and said goodnight.
    Never saw him again.

    • Matthew Rettenmund

      Thanks for chiming in. How interesting!

  6. Dewey Martin was the kindest most honest and gentle man I ever met in my life. Not only was he a great man to my mother, but he was a great man to me and my son for over 35 years. RIP Dewey.

  7. How did he die?

    I think he had voice, face and physique in the 50’s that would have succeeded in many decades, no matter in which he lived.

    • Matthew Rettenmund

      That info wasn’t released. His death was barely reported.

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