Orson Bean Biography

Born Dallas Burrows in Vermont, Orson Bean began his career with a comedy act before making his Broadway debut in 1954.

He made numerous films and TV show appearances, becoming a familiar face on the TV talk shows, making over 200 appearances on The Tonight Show with hosts Jack Paar and Johnny Carson.

In later years, he became known to TV viewers as gruff but lovable store keeper Loren Bray on the long-running series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman from 1993 to 1998, reprising his role in the 1999 TV movie Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman: The Movie.

He was killed on February 7, 2020 when he was knocked to the ground by a car while walking across a street in Venice, California, then struck by a second car. Bean was 91 years old. At the time of his death, he had been married to his Dr. Quinn co-star, Alley Mills, for almost 17 years.