Dabbs Greer (Reverend Alden) Dies at 90 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 04-30-2007, 08:01 PM

A veteran character actor from the Neosho area - best known for his roles in film's “The Green Mile” and television's “Little House on the Prairie” - has died.

Dabbs Greer, 90, died at a California hospital Saturday evening, B.J. Goodwin, owner of Ozark Funeral Home and the McDonald County coroner, confirmed this morning. The cause of death was not immediately known this morning. A memorial service is pending, Goodwin said.

Greer was born April 2, 1917, in Fairview and moved to Anderson with his family as an infant. His father operated a drug store in Anderson, while his mother was a speech therapist.

Greer got his first acting experience on the stage of a Children's Theater production at age 8. After graduating from Anderson High School, he attended Drury College in Springfield, earning a bachelor's degree. He was head of the drama department at Mountain Grove High School from 1940 to 1943.

Greer made his film debut as an extra in the 1938 20th Century Fox production of “Jesse James,” which was filmed primarily in Pineville.

“Just like everybody else in the county,” he joked during a 2002 interview with the Neosho Daily News. “The folks at 20th Century Fox didn't realize this, but that picture really put McDonald County on the map. And they were paying $5 a day - a day! - to local people for being extras. That was really good money in those days, more money than we had seen in a long time. That picture was beneficial for the whole area.”

Greer played several parts in the production, including a man on the street, a well-dressed young man, and a Confederate soldier.

After teaching at Mountain Grove, Greer went to Pasadena, where he was offered a job at the community playhouse. He left the position after seven years for a career in film, including “Father's Little Dividend” with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor; “Monkey Business” with Cary Grant; and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” More recent roles have included such films as “Con Air” and “The Green Mile,” a film based on a Stephen King serial novel. In the latter film, Greer portrayed the elderly Paul Edgecomb.

Television appearances have included “The Brady Bunch” pilot episode, where he portrayed the minister who married Mike and Carol Brady. He also had roles in series such as “Gunsmoke,” “Gomer Pyle USMC,” “How to Marry a Millionaire,” and “Picket Fences.” He was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Rev. Alden in “Little House on the Prairie.”

In 2002, Anderson paid tribute to Greer as the community renamed the Town Hole Park in his honor. In an interview that year, Greer recalled growing up in Anderson.

“I still have some good memories of the place, and I've never called any other place home, although I've lived in California for 50 years. One thing about a small town like Anderson is you get to know people intimately. You can't do that in a big city. It was a beautiful city then, and it's still beautiful. We would fish, have adventures, just do the things that boys do in a rural community.”

Goodwin said Greer's caretaker in California would be contacting the funeral home this afternoon about arrangements. More information will be in upcoming editions of the Neosho Daily News.

Ireneparalegal · 05-01-2007, 11:58 PM

May he R.I.P. Thanx Mr. Greer for what you brought to this world.

catlover79 · 05-02-2007, 11:07 PM

He seemed like such a sweet man, and was perfect as Rev. Alden. He also played the reverend who married Mike and Carol Brady!! Thank you Mr. Greer for all the joy you gave.

*CHAD* · 05-07-2007, 05:08 PM

How sad RIP Reverend Alden

Tweety · 05-12-2007, 12:22 AM

Wow, check out his incredible legacy...what a prolific career.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0339428/

We've been watching the "Dick van Dyke Show" in sequence, and noticed he was in a few episodes of that classic.

Greer was even saved by "Superman" in the first episode of the George Reeves TV Series.

It's always amazing when you see how many things people like Greer did, that you had no idea he was in. Now we'll probably notice him more in some of the older movies and TV appearances of his.

What a great career. Thanks Dabs!

Schmoopie · 04-05-2020, 03:08 AM

He was just wonderful as Reverend Alden. Such a kind and gentle soul. He was the perfect choice. I've not yet seen him in other things but I'd love to.

04-30-2007, 08:01 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,377	Dabbs Greer (Reverend Alden) Dies at 90 A veteran character actor from the Neosho area - best known for his roles in film's “The Green Mile” and television's “Little House on the Prairie” - has died. Dabbs Greer, 90, died at a California hospital Saturday evening, B.J. Goodwin, owner of Ozark Funeral Home and the McDonald County coroner, confirmed this morning. The cause of death was not immediately known this morning. A memorial service is pending, Goodwin said. Greer was born April 2, 1917, in Fairview and moved to Anderson with his family as an infant. His father operated a drug store in Anderson, while his mother was a speech therapist. Greer got his first acting experience on the stage of a Children's Theater production at age 8. After graduating from Anderson High School, he attended Drury College in Springfield, earning a bachelor's degree. He was head of the drama department at Mountain Grove High School from 1940 to 1943. Greer made his film debut as an extra in the 1938 20th Century Fox production of “Jesse James,” which was filmed primarily in Pineville. “Just like everybody else in the county,” he joked during a 2002 interview with the Neosho Daily News. “The folks at 20th Century Fox didn't realize this, but that picture really put McDonald County on the map. And they were paying $5 a day - a day! - to local people for being extras. That was really good money in those days, more money than we had seen in a long time. That picture was beneficial for the whole area.” Greer played several parts in the production, including a man on the street, a well-dressed young man, and a Confederate soldier. After teaching at Mountain Grove, Greer went to Pasadena, where he was offered a job at the community playhouse. He left the position after seven years for a career in film, including “Father's Little Dividend” with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor; “Monkey Business” with Cary Grant; and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” More recent roles have included such films as “Con Air” and “The Green Mile,” a film based on a Stephen King serial novel. In the latter film, Greer portrayed the elderly Paul Edgecomb. Television appearances have included “The Brady Bunch” pilot episode, where he portrayed the minister who married Mike and Carol Brady. He also had roles in series such as “Gunsmoke,” “Gomer Pyle USMC,” “How to Marry a Millionaire,” and “Picket Fences.” He was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Rev. Alden in “Little House on the Prairie.” In 2002, Anderson paid tribute to Greer as the community renamed the Town Hole Park in his honor. In an interview that year, Greer recalled growing up in Anderson. “I still have some good memories of the place, and I've never called any other place home, although I've lived in California for 50 years. One thing about a small town like Anderson is you get to know people intimately. You can't do that in a big city. It was a beautiful city then, and it's still beautiful. We would fish, have adventures, just do the things that boys do in a rural community.” Goodwin said Greer's caretaker in California would be contacting the funeral home this afternoon about arrangements. More information will be in upcoming editions of the Neosho Daily News.
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05-01-2007, 11:58 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	May he R.I.P. Thanx Mr. Greer for what you brought to this world.
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05-02-2007, 11:07 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	He seemed like such a sweet man, and was perfect as Rev. Alden. He also played the reverend who married Mike and Carol Brady!! Thank you Mr. Greer for all the joy you gave.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-07-2007, 05:08 PM	#4
CHAD Thoughts of Change Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 30, 2007 Location: KNIGHT RIDER Posts: 567	How sad RIP Reverend Alden
	__________________ Gimme A Break, now I know what it takes. I'm putting a new face on the old one Ready for anything. Playing with fate, not a moment too late. I'm showing the whole world Nothing can get me down. Gimme A Break, Yeah yeah! I finally know where I belong.

04-05-2020, 03:08 AM	#6
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	He was just wonderful as Reverend Alden. Such a kind and gentle soul. He was the perfect choice. I've not yet seen him in other things but I'd love to.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

05-12-2007, 12:22 AM	#5
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	Wow, check out his incredible legacy...what a prolific career. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0339428/ We've been watching the "Dick van Dyke Show" in sequence, and noticed he was in a few episodes of that classic. Greer was even saved by "Superman" in the first episode of the George Reeves TV Series. It's always amazing when you see how many things people like Greer did, that you had no idea he was in. Now we'll probably notice him more in some of the older movies and TV appearances of his. What a great career. Thanks Dabs!