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Allen Case
Allen Case
Allen Case
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Allen Case (born Alan Case Lavelle Jones, October 8, 1934[citation needed] – August 25, 1986) was an American television actor most noted for the lead role of Deputy Clay McCord in NBC-TV's The Deputy (1959–1961) opposite series regular Henry Fonda, who received top billing, but appeared far less frequently than Case.

Key Information

Early years

[edit]

Case was born in Dallas, Texas. His parents were retail clothiers Casey Jones and Nadine Allen Jones. He attended Southern Methodist University, but left in his junior year.[1]

Career

[edit]

After he left SMU, Case sang on a television program in Dallas and then toured in musicals. Following those experiences, he traveled to New York City to audition for the Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts program.[1]

Case signed a contract with Columbia Records in 1955 and performed on the first studio cast recording of the Gershwins' musical Oh, Kay! He starred in his first Broadway show, Reuben, Reuben. He also toured with musicals, including South Pacific, Damn Yankees, and My Fair Lady.[2]

In addition to starring in The Deputy,[3]: 253  Case was one of the "friends" on Arthur Godfrey and His Friends.[3]

Case made more than 30 television appearances between 1958 and 1982. He made three guest appearances on the CBS courtroom drama series Perry Mason, including the role of defendant Adam Conrad in the 1964 episode, "The Case of the Ruinous Road".

In the 1965–1966 season, Case co-starred as Frank James with Christopher Jones in the ABC Western series The Legend of Jesse James.[3]: 593  In 1969, Case played Sheriff Pat Garritt in the epiosode "Billy the Kid' in the TV show Time Tunnel.

He made a return to Broadway book musicals in 1967 as the third lead in Jule Styne and Arthur Laurents' Hallelujah, Baby!, and his singing is featured prominently on the original cast album.[4]

Buoyed by his role on The Deputy, Case made personal appearances. In 1961, he came to Shreveport, Louisiana, to appear on KWKH radio and at the rodeo, at which he played Johnny Horton's guitar.[5]

In 1977, Case guest-starred on Quincy, M.E. in the second-season episode, "A Good Smack in the Mouth", as Stuart Harrison, the father of a runaway boy who crosses Quincy's path.

In 1981, Case played Harold Knitzer in The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts, a syndicated television drama.[3]: 600 

Partial television appearances

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Year Title Role Notes
1959 Lawman Larry Delong "Riding Shotgun"

(S1E29)

1959 Have Gun - Will Travel Tad Pike "Juliet" (S2E20)
1959-1961 The Deputy Deputy Clay McCord 76 episodes
1962 The Virginian Sheriff Blade "West" (S1E10)
1964 Gunsmoke Lieutenant "The Promoter" (S9E30)
1966 Gunsmoke Gabe Baker "The Good People" (S12E5)
1967 The Time Tunnel Sheriff Pat Garrett "Billy The Kid" (S1E22)
1979 "CHiPs" Councilman Walter Dunlap "Ride the Whirlwind" (S2E22)

Business activities

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In the late 1960s, Case went into business manufacturing fur coats for men. Furs used in the coats included wolf, Norwegian seal, muskrat, and sheared rabbit. Prices ranged from $350 to $1,250.[6]

Personal life

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On September 22, 1961, Case married Bobbie Jones. They had a daughter, and they divorced on June 27, 1979.[1]

Death

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While on vacation, he died after suffering a heart attack in Truckee, California, at the age of 51.[2]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Allen Case

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Allen Case (October 8, 1934 – August 25, 1986), born Alan Case Lavelle Jones, was an American television actor renowned for his roles in Western series during the late and . Best known for portraying the idealistic young deputy Clay McCord in the NBC series (1959–1961), where he starred opposite as a pacifist lawman, Case also played the level-headed older brother in the ABC Western (1965–1966). His career spanned guest appearances on popular shows such as and , alongside early work in musical theater. Born in , , Case attended for two years before leaving to pursue acting. He began his professional career in local television variety shows in Dallas and appeared in the musical (1955), which closed during its out-of-town tryout. Touring with musical productions like South Pacific, , and honed his skills as both an actor and singer, leading to his transition to Hollywood and television Westerns, a genre that dominated his most prominent work. In his later years, Case diversified beyond acting, designing men's fur coats, working as a broker, , and while residing in . He died of a heart attack on August 25, 1986, at age 51 in a in , survived by his daughter, mother, and sister.

Early life

Birth and family

Allen Case was born Alan Case Lavelle Jones on October 8, 1934, in Dallas, Texas. His parents were Casey Lavelle Jones (1912–1959) and Nadine Allen Jones (1910–2001), who worked as retail clothiers in the Dallas area. Case grew up in Dallas alongside his sister, Ilene Jones (later Ilene Goldman), in a family environment centered on the local retail trade.

Education

Allen Case, raised in Dallas, Texas, with encouragement from his family, pursued higher education at Southern Methodist University, his local institution. He attended the university for two years, engaging in activities that sparked his passion for the performing arts. During this period, Case developed a keen interest in entertainment through campus opportunities and local engagements. In his junior year, Case decided to leave to focus on a professional career in . This transition marked the end of his formal education and the beginning of hands-on experience in the industry. While still based in , he secured early involvement in local television variety shows, performing as a singer and honing his skills on screen. These appearances provided crucial exposure and built his confidence ahead of national opportunities.

Acting career

Television roles

Allen Case began his television career in 1958 and continued appearing in roles until 1982, primarily in Western and series. His breakthrough came with the lead role of Deputy Clay McCord in the NBC Western The Deputy (1959–1961), where he starred in all 76 episodes as a young lawman navigating moral dilemmas in a town, opposite as the occasional narrator and marshal Simon Fry. The series, created by Roland Kibbee and based on stories by Norman A. Fox, highlighted Case's ability to portray earnest, principled characters in tense frontier settings. In 1965–1966, Case took on the recurring role of Frank James, the steady and pragmatic older brother to the impulsive Jesse James (played by Christopher Jones), in the ABC Western The Legend of Jesse James. This short-lived series, which ran for 34 episodes, offered a sympathetic take on the outlaw brothers' post-Civil War exploits, with Case's portrayal emphasizing Frank's role as the family's anchor amid escalating conflicts with authorities. Case frequently guest-starred in established anthology and Western programs, showcasing his versatility in supporting roles ranging from lawmen to everyday citizens. Notable appearances include episodes of Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, Wagon Train, and Quincy, M.E.. The following is a partial list of his notable television credits:
Year(s)SeriesRole
1959–1961The DeputyDeputy Clay McCord
1962The VirginianSheriff Blade
1963Perry MasonJames Wheeler
1964GunsmokeLieutenant
1964Perry MasonAdam Conrad
1965–1966The Legend of Jesse JamesFrank James
1966GunsmokeGabe Rucker
1977Quincy, M.E.Stuart Harrison
1982CHiPsMr. Jacks

Stage performances

Case began his professional stage career in the mid-1950s with roles in out-of-town tryouts for musicals bound for Broadway. He starred as Henry Lippincott in , a folk opera that premiered in but closed during its pre-Broadway tour in 1955. He also appeared in Pleasure Dome, another musical that was planned for Broadway but ultimately cancelled before opening. His Broadway debut came in 1959 with the musical comedy , where he played the role of Sir Harry opposite Carol Burnett's Princess Winnifred; the production ran for 460 performances at the Alvin Theatre. Case's performance in the show, which featured music by and lyrics by Marshall Barer, contributed to its success as a lighthearted adaptation of the fairy tale . In 1967, Case returned to Broadway in the musical Hallelujah, Baby!, taking the starring role of Harvey, a young man navigating racial tensions and romance in a show with music by and book by . The production, which opened at the Martin Beck Theatre and ran for 293 performances, earned multiple , including for Best Musical. Beyond Broadway, Case performed in national tours of notable musicals, including the role of Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees from 1956 to 1957. He also appeared as a replacement for in the Broadway production of Company in 1972. These engagements showcased his versatility in ensemble and lead roles within classic American musical theater.

Other pursuits

Music career

Allen Case began his career with appearances on local television, including the country music program The Big D Jamboree, which helped build his performing skills. In 1954, Case relocated to and achieved a breakthrough by winning a competition on the Talent Scouts television program, which directly led to his signing a recording contract with the following year. This opportunity marked the start of his professional recording career, with Columbia recognizing his vocal talent as a promising young singer. One of Case's earliest recordings under the Columbia label was his participation in the first studio cast album of the George and musical Oh, Kay!, recorded in December 1955 and conducted by . Case contributed vocals to multiple tracks, including ensemble numbers like "Clap Yo' Hands" and "Fidgety Feet," alongside performers such as and , helping to revive the 1926 show's score for a new audience through this LP release. The album, issued by Columbia Masterworks, showcased Case's clear tenor voice in the jazz-inflected arrangements typical of Gershwin's work. Case's solo releases with Columbia further highlighted his pop and style. In 1955, he issued the single "Watch Out! Watch Out!" (Columbia 4-40585), a lighthearted track that reflected the upbeat variety act vibe from his early television days. By 1957, he released "One Meat Ball" b/w "A New Town Is a Blue Town" (Columbia 4-40977) and collaborated with arranger on "Me Too (Ho-Ho! Ha-Ha!)" (Columbia 4-41000). These efforts, along with his studio cast work, represented much of Case's early musical output. His recording career continued into the 1960s with the album The Deputy Sings (Columbia CL 1406), released in 1960 as a to his television role, featuring standards such as "," "," and "Someone to Watch Over Me," conducted by .

Business activities

In the late 1960s, Allen Case diversified from by entering the of men's coats through Sheryll Furs, a venture funded by earnings from his earlier work. The coats utilized materials such as Norwegian hair seal, , muskrat, sheared , opossum, and pieced , designed in styles including coats and mackinaws to appeal to contemporary men's fashion. Products were priced between $450 and $1,250, reflecting the luxury nature of the furs and craftsmanship. The business quickly gained traction, securing orders from prominent retailers like , B. Altman, , and . Case also operated a related men's clothing shop in , managed by his mother. With acting roles limited at the time, he personally modeled the coats during promotional efforts in spring 1968, though the venture ran alongside his subsequent television guest appearances. The fur coat line gained attention in 1968. In his later years, Case worked as a real estate broker, photographer, and writer while residing in .

Personal life and death

Marriage and family

Allen Case married Alice Jean Fiedler on May 3, 1960. The couple had one daughter, Amanda Ilene Case Jones, during their marriage. They divorced in August 1969.

Death

Allen Case died of a heart attack on August 25, 1986, while vacationing in , at the age of 51. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to the attack around 6:30 p.m. CDT. At the time, Case resided in , , having retired from acting following his final television appearance in 1982. No public details regarding arrangements were reported in contemporary accounts. He was cremated, with the location of his ashes unknown. Case was survived by his daughter , his mother Nadine Jones, and his sister Ilene Goldman.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0143175/
  2. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198126990/allen-case
  3. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-28-me-13881-story.html
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0143175/bio/
  5. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jones-118248
  6. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68421822/nadine_a-jones
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/03/obituaries/allen-case.html
  8. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/08/28/allen-case-tv-star-in-the-deputy/
  9. http://www.westernclippings.com/remember/deputy_doyouremember.shtml
  10. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1986/08/28/allen-case-co-star-of-tvs-deputy/
  11. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1213158-allen-case
  12. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-legend-of-jesse-james/cast/1000084009/
  13. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/allen-case/credits/3000217763/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0673376/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681741/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0534541/
  17. https://ovrtur.com/production/2893381
  18. https://ovrtur.com/biography/10111673
  19. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/allen-case-96272
  20. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/once-upon-a-mattress-2799
  21. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/hallelujah-baby-2940
  22. https://castalbums.org/recordings/Oh-Kay-1955-Studio-Cast/1144/
  23. https://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/oh-kay-studio-cast-recording-1957/
  24. https://www.discogs.com/artist/3461369-Allen-Case
  25. https://www.45cat.com/record/440977
  26. https://www.78discography.com/COL40500.htm
  27. https://www.discogs.com/master/746295-Allen-Case-The-Deputy-Sings
  28. https://www.nytimes.com/1968/06/07/archives/actor-takes-furs-on-fashion-road.html
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