David Lee Baker (June 22, 1931[2] – December 24, 1981) was an American film and television actor. He was known for playing Mushy in the American western television series Rawhide.[1]
James Murdock | |
|---|---|
| Born | David Lee Baker[1] (1931-06-22)June 22, 1931 Normal, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 24, 1981(1981-12-24) (aged 50) Calabasas, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Film and television actor |
| Years active | 1958–1974 |
| Spouse | Julie Harris[1] |
| Children | 2[1] |
Murdock was born in Normal, Illinois, the son of Faye Baker.[1] He reportedly used the surname "Murdock", since he had thought there was a tough guy sound, in which Murdock would land in playing heavy roles in his acting career.[1] He began his career in 1958, appearing in the western television series Have Gun, Will Travel, where Murdock played the role of a young outlaw.[3] In 1959, he joined the cast of the new CBS western television series Rawhide, in which he played the role of Wishbone's assistant cook Mushy.[1] Murdock had a role in the 1966 episode "The Newcomers" (S12E10) in the western television series Gunsmoke, where he played the role of "Pony".
Murdock appeared on the film Airport 1975, in which his last credit was from Francis Ford Coppola's film The Godfather II in 1974.[1]
Murdock died on December 24, 1981, of pneumonia in Calabasas, California, at the age of 50.[1][2] He was buried in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park.[1]