title: Edgar Buchanan: dentist and popular character actor in movies and television.
abstract: Edgar Buchanan, D.D.S., pursued a diverse mix of careers during his lifetime: as he practiced dentistry, he also worked as a popular film and television actor. Although he eventually relinquished a full-time dental practice for acting, he continued his commitment to clinical dentistry. Acting in 100 films and four television series across a 35-year span (1939-1975). He personified a scheming, yet well-meaning rustic who specialized in "cracker-barrel" philosophy. Typically, he was cast in classic western movies as a bewhiskered character actor. In several films he played a frontier dentist who was always portrayed in a sympathetic and authentic manner. His unique gravelly voice, subtle facial expressions, folksy mannerisms and portly build enabled Buchanan to step into a wide variety of character roles. His most memorable television role was in the classic situation comedy, "Petticoat Junction," (1963-1970), where he played Uncle Joe, a folksy, lovable, free-loader whose many entertaining schemes created chaos.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University Nicotine Dependence Program and Indiana University Schools of Dentistry and Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Christen
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Christen
mesh_terms: D003815:Dentists / Q000266:history*; D005197:Famous Persons; D049673:History, 20th Century; D009040:Motion Pictures / Q000266:history*; D013690:Television / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States