Dean Fredericks

Dean Fredericks (January 21, 1924 – June 30, 1999) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of the comic strip character Steve Canyon in a 34-episode television series of the same name which aired from 1958-1959 on NBC. He was born Frederick Joseph Foote in Los Angeles, California. On October 31, 1942, he enlisted as a private in the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States Army and served during World War II. He received a Purple Heart medal.

Early career

One of Fredericks's earliest known acting roles was as a priest in the "The Lord Is Risen" segment of the 1952 film series The Living Bible, with Nelson Leigh in the role of Jesus Christ. In 1954 he played an unnamed member of a lynch mob in the western film Jesse James v. the Daltons, which again featured Nelson Leigh, this time as a priest, Father Kerrigan. That same year he played "Police Detective Curtis" in the classic science fiction film "Them!".

In 1955-1956, Fredericks played Kaseem, the Hindu manservant of the lead Johnny Weismuller character in the 26-episode syndicated television series, Jungle Jim, based on a successful comic strip as well as earlier films of the same name. Martin Huston appeared in the series as Jungle Jim's teenage son, Skipper Bradford. Paul Cavanagh was cast as Commissioner Morrison in nine episodes.In 1957, he appeared as Jug Davis in the black-and-white western film about landgrabbers, Utah Blaine, with Rory Calhoun in the title role.