Skip to content
MovieCove
Sam Edwards

Sam Edwards

Actor · Died July 28, 2004, aged 89 · Macon, Georgia, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sam George Edwards (May 26, 1915 – July 28, 2004) was an American actor. His most famous role on television was as banker Bill Anderson on Little House on the Prairie. Film Edwards' first major screen role was as Chuck Ramsey in the movie serial version of Captain Midnight (1942). From 1949 to 1981, he made several film appearances, with significant roles in Twelve O'Clock High (1949), Operation Pacific (1951), Gangbusters (1954), and supporting roles in The Beatniks (1960) and Suppose They Gave A War and Nobody Came (1969). He was also seen in The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), Hello, Dolly! (1969) and The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981). Television Edwards appeared on many television series starting in the mid-1950s. Most notable of these include many episodes of Dragnet and Gunsmoke throughout their long runs. He also appeared on over 60 different series, including The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Straightaway, The Andy Griffith Show, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, Mannix, Mission: Impossible, The Streets of San Francisco, Adam-12, The Red Skelton Show, Happy Days, The Dukes of Hazzard, and even Days of Our Lives. In 1969 Edwards appeared as Will Frazee on the TV series The Virginian in the episode titled "A Woman of Stone." Spouse Beverly Motley Edwards ​(m. 1969)​ Children 3 step-children Death On July 28, 2004, Edwards died of a heart attack in Durango, Colorado. CLR

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 26, 1915
Died
July 28, 2004 (aged 89)
From
Macon, Georgia, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 92 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 28% in 30 days

What are Sam Edwards' films like?

Across a limited sample of 4 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
37%
Bonds
28%
Self
23%
Power
6%
Ideas
6%
Family bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 4 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 3 · Stylized 0 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 2 · Intense 0

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 0 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings shown from 5 titles

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
3
Melancholic
3
Warm
1
Dread
1
Romantic
1
Other
2

How their films linger

Bittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Sam Edwards' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Sam Edwards' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

92 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Postman Always Rings Twice(1981)

    as Ticket Clerk

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Great Cash Giveaway Getaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Announcer

  • Mark Twain: Beneath the Laughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Bixby

  • The Dukes of Hazzard(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Track Steward

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Just Me and You(1978)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Case of the Baltimore Girls(1978)

    as Hotel Manager

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Incredible Rocky Mountain Race (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Milford Petrie

  • The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe(1976)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Ernie

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • S.W.A.T.(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Hit Lady(1974)

    as Innkeeper

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Kodiak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Barber

  • Kolchak: The Night Stalker(1974)

    Show Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Little House on the Prairie(1974)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mr. Bill Anderson

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • These Are the Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 16 episodes · Actor

  • Hog Wild (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Farmer

  • Happy Days(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Abner

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Chase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Set This Town on Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Motel Manager

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Rookies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kurt

  • The Death of Me Yet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Jerry

  • In Broad Daylight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Cunningham

  • The Deadly Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Man Protesting His Innocence

  • O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 3 episodes · as Airport Manager

  • The Cheyenne Social Club(1970)

    as Barfly Getting Up from Table (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • McCloud(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Hello, Dolly!(1969)

    as Laborer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Then Came Bronson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Will Hudson

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Johnny Arnett

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Dragnet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Rodman

  • The Mod Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Mayberry R.F.D.(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Clerk

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • Adam-12(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Elvin Brady · as Hal Rosten · as Harvey Pollard · as Suspect

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Dragnet 1967(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Steve Houseman

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Invaders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Hank · as Thatcher

  • Mission: Impossible(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Drunk

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Felony Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • That Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerry

  • Laredo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Green Acres(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Wally Wilkins

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Petticoat Junction(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Clerk · as Ned Balsam

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Rod Rocket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 4 episodes · as Rod Rocket (voice)

  • Period of Adjustment(1962)

    as Service Station Attendant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 6 episodes · as Desk Clerk · as Hank the Hotel Clerk · as Hotel Clerk

  • Straightaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hazel(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Archibald

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Dick Powell Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Broken Leg

  • Klondike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Little Billy Leith

  • The Andy Griffith Show(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · as Fred · as Lester Scobey · as Sam Muggins · as Tom Bedlow

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Flintstones(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Mailman / Agent / Marv (voice)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Larrimore

  • Full Circle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 182 episodes · as Deputy

  • Laramie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Beatniks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Red

  • Black Saddle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Leo Brimsey

  • Destination Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Technician (uncredited)

  • Revolt in the Big House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Al

  • Torpedo Run(1958)

    as Sub Radio Operator

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Texan(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Peter Gunn(1958)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Wanted: Dead or Alive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Abel (uncredited)

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Cashier

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Forbes

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as First Man

  • Guns Don't Argue!(1957)

    as Fred Barker

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Cass · as Deputy Wilt Buford

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Barfly · as Binders · as Cowboy · as Morff · as Stage Driver · as Telegrapher · as Travis · as Wolfer

  • Gang Busters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Wayne Long

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Mate

  • Lassie(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Witness to Murder(1954)

    as Tommy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • General Electric Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Cratchit · as Farmhand

  • Gang Busters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Dragnet(1951)

    Show 5 episodes · as Elwood Carney

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • I Love Lucy(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Bellboy

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Flying Leathernecks(1951)

    as Junior (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Operation Pacific(1951)

    as Junior

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Sun Sets at Dawn(1950)

    as Reporter, Herald

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Twelve O'Clock High(1949)

    as Lieutenant Birdwell

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Street with No Name(1948)

    as Whitey (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Little Broadcast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as (voice) (uncredited)

  • Bambi(1942)

    as Adult Thumper (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Rubber Racketeers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Freddy Dale

  • Captain Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Chuck Ramsey

  • Hoola Boola (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as (voice)

  • East Side Kids(1940)

    as Pete

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • High Hat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Performer

Career shape

Star power in the 88th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 92 titles from 1937 to 1981.

Biggest box office

Bambi (1942)

$267M worldwide

Highest rated

Bambi (1942)

Midcredits 89th

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting92 of 92: 92 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

By decade

1930s1 · acting1940s8 · acting1950s26 · acting1960s29 · acting1970s26 · acting1980s2 · acting

Billing

usually 15th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Sam Edwards' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 63rd percentile, the median of all 18; across a limited sample of 4 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Approval · how many liked their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Reach · how many have seen their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th19
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Just Me and You (1978)

67th percentile spread · 13% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Twelve O'Clock High (1949)

Midcredits 95th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.