Lyle Bettger, 88; Supporting Actor Often Was Cast as a Heavy

Lyle Bettger, 88, who played a variety of supporting roles in movies such as “Union Station,” “The Greatest Show on Earth” and “Nevada Smith,” died of undisclosed causes Sept. 24 at his home in Atascadero.

Bettger starred as a special investigator in the crime-drama series “The Court of Last Resort,” which ran on NBC from 1957 to 1958.

Born in Philadelphia in 1915, Bettger graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1937. After working in summer stock and on Broadway, he made his film debut in 1950 in “No Man of Her Own,” starring Barbara Stanwyck.

Often cast as a heavy, he appeared in numerous movie westerns, including “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.” He also made many TV appearances on shows such as “Rawhide,” “Bonanza” and “Gunsmoke.”