Morgan Woodward ‘48

The University of Texas at Arlington Morgan Woodward ‘48 organ Woodward Hutch,” “The Waltons,” “Fantasy M(AA ’48) has probably Island,” “Hill Street Blues,” been shot more than any other “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “The UT Arlington alumnus. Chances X-Files,” and seven seasons as are you’ve seen him shot, Marvin Anderson on “Dallas.” in episodes of “Gunsmoke,” Woodward retired in 1997. “Bonanza,” “Wagon Train,” or By all accounts Woodward’s many of the other 250 television career in Hollywood was a shows and movies he appeared success, although what he in from 1956-1997. Woodward, really wanted to be was an 84, usually played bad guys. “I opera singer. During lean times was 6’3”, 221 pounds … bigger in Hollywood, Woodward even than practically everybody wondered if he might make a else,” Woodward said, “and better living as a watchmaker, with a face that is not really all but after winning lifetime that pleasant.” achievement awards and the Woodward’s best-known prestigious Golden Boot Award, role came in Cool Hand Luke Morgan Woodward he appears satisfied with his (1967) in which he played Boss body of work. Godfrey, the silent, stone-faced Last year Woodward guard behind the mirrored sunglasses who personified evil. decided to give something back. He established the Morgan Woodward’s performance was lauded by critics, his salary Woodward Distinguished Professorship in Film and Video doubled, and in 1969 Newsweek named him one of the six with a $250,000 gift that will be matched by the University’s most wanted bad guys in Hollywood. Maverick Match, bringing the value of the endowment to Woodward wasn’t always a bad guy. He grew up in $500,000. Arlington, Texas, and graduated from Arlington High School in “You’ve got to have a great faculty or you are not going to 1943. Like his four brothers, Woodward attract great students,” Woodward said. attended UT Arlington (then North “My hope is that the gift might attract Texas Agricultural College) before a distinguished professor who could finishing his degree at UT Austin in then entice would be actors, writers, 1951. It was in Austin that Woodward and directors to the University.” met Fess Parker, a fraternity brother The gift comes at an exciting time and roommate who became famous for the film program in the Department portraying Davy Crockett on television of Art and Art History. Just this summer in 1955. Parker helped Woodward Ya’Ke Smith, widely regarded as one secure a movie deal with Disney in the of today’s most promising young mid-1950s, which started Woodward’s film directors, joined the faculty as a Hollywood career. tenure-track assistant professor and After appearing in a number of last summer award-winning director individual episodes of a dozen different Daniel Millican (BA ’89) filmed television westerns, Woodward found his movie Rising Stars on campus. a recurring role as Shotgun Gibbs in Woodward’s gift will help sustain this “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp” momentum. Who knows, it might even from 1958-1961. He appeared in many inspire another young actor to seek a popular television shows over the next career as a Hollywood bad guy. After 40 years, including “Perry Mason,” all, Woodward says, “bad guys always “Rawhide,” “Star Trek,” “Starsky and Morgan Woodward have the best parts.”.

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