Edgar Buchanan (March 20, 1903 – April 4, 1979) was a beloved American character actor who, after a successful career as a dentist, became one of the most recognizable faces in Western films and television, forever known as the cantankerous Uncle Joe Carson.
With his gravelly voice and folksy charm, Edgar Buchanan became a staple of the Western genre, often playing grizzled sidekicks, judges, and sheriffs. He appeared in numerous classics, including Shane (1953) and the Randolph Scott Western Abilene Town (1946) as Sheriff ‘Bravo’ Trimble, and also showed his comedic flair in films like The Talk of the Town (1942).
In the 1960s, he achieved his greatest fame as the lazy, scheming, yet lovable Uncle Joe on the hit sitcom Petticoat Junction. The character became so popular that Buchanan reprised the role in guest appearances on the sister shows Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies, making him a cornerstone of one of television’s most successful comedy universes.
