Morgan Woodward Dies Aged 93. (2025)

Sad to report the death of Morgan Woodward, who played the fan favorite role of Marvin "Punk" Anderson on #Dallas from 1980-1987. Morgan passed away February 22 at the age of 93. He made over 200 appearances on TV and film and was known for his multiple guest roles on the long running western series Gunsmoke, plus the role of Boss Godfrey in the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke. R.I.P. Punk. Rest well.

RIP

Read his bio. Served in WWII and The Korean War.

Very sad news indeed. One of the truly great supporting stars in Dallas.

Swami

Rest In Peace Morgan. Deepest sympathies to your family and friends. I trust they take comfort in that Morgan appeared on one of the hottest shows on the planet and played a character well respected by all viewers. I hope Punk has caught up with his old friend...

Morgan in O-R David Hasselhoff Knight Rider, first-season episode "Knight Moves," as Sheriff Hank Winston (I believe that's what his character's name was), OAD Fri. Mar. 11, 1983 on NBC (from first-season Universal DVD)

Sad news in deed. My sympathies to his family and friends. Punk was a great supporting character on the show and Morgan Woodward had a long life.

Also I find it interesting that he was closer in age to Larry Hagman than Jim Davis. Somehow I have never thought of that before.

Karin Schill said:

Sad news in deed. My sympathies to his family and friends. Punk was a great supporting character on the show and Morgan Woodward had a long life.

Also I find it interesting that he was closer in age to Larry Hagman than Jim Davis. Somehow I have never thought of that before.

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That's right-- Jim was born in 1909, and Morgan was born in 1925 (Larry only six years after, in 1931).

RIP to one of the true pros of the industry for many decades!

For a bit of off-Dallas fun, check out this film starring Susan Howard, with Morgan in a prominent role as a bad guy and a couple of other Dallas character actors making appearances.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0076409/

(Marcia Brady in there for good measure)

He also made two appearances on that 1974-76 NBC legal series Petrocelli (that w/Barry Newman, Susan Howard and the late Albert Salmi), both in its first season:

First, in the first episode of the series, "The Golden Cage," OAD Wed. Sept. 11, 1974, as crooked Lt. John Cayle, here arresting his future co-star in O-R CBS Dallas, Susan Howard, on a seemingly trumped-up charge...

Also, his closing credit from that appearance...

Then, in "A Night of Terror," as gangster Augie Briola (OAD Wed. Apr. 2, 1975), first opposite Barry Newman's Tony Petrocelli character, then up close...

Finally, his closing credit from that second and final appearance...

(All screenshots from VEI both-in-one DVD of Petrocelli)

Karin Schill said:

Sad news in deed. My sympathies to his family and friends. Punk was a great supporting character on the show and Morgan Woodward had a long life.

Also I find it interesting that he was closer in age to Larry Hagman than Jim Davis. Somehow I have never thought of that before.

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Similar to Larry and Barbara (only nine years' age difference between them, whereas 13 years' age difference between Barbara and Jim).

Swami

Karin Schill said:

Sad news in deed. My sympathies to his family and friends. Punk was a great supporting character on the show and Morgan Woodward had a long life.

Also I find it interesting that he was closer in age to Larry Hagman than Jim Davis. Somehow I have never thought of that before.

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I know what you mean. When I found out he was born in 1925 that would have made him 5 when he and Jock were out wildcatting.

Anyway R.I.P. Morgan. Loved him in everything he did. Dallas lost a lot when they cut him from the show.

So Sorry to hear that news, RIP Morgan Woodward

I wrote to him once after Dallas ended - maybe early 2000s aand I got a lovely 2 page hand written letter from him along with a signed photo

Punk and Mavis were part of that great supporting cast that Dallas had who were an integral part of the show although not in every epiosde

Like Dr Danvers, Jordan and cartel, Harve Smithfield and you could believe the back story and history of Punk - CC watch and learn!

I also never realised until about 10 years ago that he played Boone in The Waltons

I also was very surprised to see him once on the BBC news in early 80s in another job - all to do with John de Lorean cars - it took me a while to process that but he must have been involved in some way

My fav Punk scene - intrducing Miss Ellie at the OBB when they honour Jock in S4 and when he goes to visit Wes/ben/Jock at his motel. And also when he visits Miss EEllie in Acceptance S4 to tell her about the JE memorial award

RIP Morgan - thanks for the memories

Chris2 said:

Another one of those fine character actors that helped distinguish Dallas. I thought TNT Dallas missed the boat by not bringing Punk and Mavis back to appear in the episode about J.R.’s funeral. It seems that Morgan Woodward was physically well enough to do a cameo, and Alice Hirson was still acting at the time.

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I was also bewildered why Punk and Mavis were not invited back to TNT Dallas, JR's Memorial especially so. I'm guessing you know who had somehow missed those episodes when she re-visited Lorimar Dallas and when Punk appeared. I will not mention the TNT show-runners name so as not to tarnish this memorial thread.

Chris2 said:

one of those fine character actors that helped distinguish Dallas.

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I think that's what set Dallas apart from other soaps. The likes of Morgan and Jim Davis with their western movie heritage and the formidable Barbara Bel Geddes and her stage background. Actors like those are what gave Dallas an edge.