Robert D. Sorrells (June 29, 1930 – June 11, 2019) was an American television and film actor, active through the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He died in prison while serving an indeterminate life sentence for a murder he committed in 2004.
Acting career As an actor, Sorrells is probably best known for his role as the baseball-pitching robot Casey in the Twilight Zone episode "The Mighty Casey". Additionally, he was in 26 episodes of Ensign O'Toole. He was also known for his appearances in Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Bonanza. He later appeared in films such as Fletch and Bound for Glory.
Murder and attempted murder convictions On July 24, 2004, Sorrells was drinking in a bar in Simi Valley, California, when he became belligerent. Another patron, Arthur DeLong, forcibly escorted Sorrells from the bar. Sorrells went home, got his pistol, and returned to the bar, where he shot DeLong in the back at point-blank range, killing him. Sorrells then shot a bystander named Edward Sanchez, with whom he had had no previous interaction. He then fled the scene in a Volkswagen van, but was arrested a short distance away.
Sorrells was charged with one count of premeditated murder and one count of attempted premeditated murder. Sorrells initially pled not guilty by reason of insanity, but entered a guilty plea in May, 2005. In July, 2005 he was sentenced to 32 years to life. Sorrells died in prison at Vacaville, California, on June 11, 2019, at the age of 88.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1960 The Twilight Zone Casey Episode: "The Mighty Casey"1961 Gunsmoke Augie Episode: "Apprentice Doctor"1961 All Hands on Deck Jones 1962 Ichabod and Me Blake Episode: "The Celebrity"1962 All Fall Down Waiter in Sweet Shop (scenes deleted)1962-1963 Ensign O'Toole White 26 episodes1963 Gunsmoke Cloudy “The Glory & The Mud” (S9E14)1963-1969 Bonanza Charlie / Deputy Sheriff Cyril / John Swanson / Meredith Smith / Ferguson / Sid 5 episodes1964 The Outer Limits Fred Episode: "I Robot" 1965 Morituri Koeniger 1965 Gunsmoke Sled Grady Season 10, Episode 25: "Breckinridge"1966 Gunsmoke Outlaw Handley Season 12, Episode 10: "The Newcomers"1966 Bewitched Gus Walters Episode: "The Horse's Mouth"1966 The Fugitive Curly Episode: "The Devil's Disciples"1967 Gunfight in Abilene Nelson 1967 Mosby's Marauders Pvt. Starkey Television movie1967 The Ride to Hangman's Tree Blake 1967 The Last Challenge Harry Bell 1968 A Man Called Gannon Goff 1969 Death of a Gunfighter Chris Hogg 1970 San Francisco International Airport Dan Minor role in a TV movie pilot1970Mannix Clement North episode One for the Lady1976 Bound for Glory Charlie Guthrie - Woody's Father 1978 The Bad News Bears Go to Japan Locke 1985 Fletch Marvin Stanwyk 1989 Nowhere to Run Mr. Kitchens
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