Sam Buffington

Biography

Sam Buffington (October 12, 1931 – May 15, 1960) was an American actor whose short career included performances on stage, radio, film, and television. He was the star of the CBS radio series Luke Slaughter of Tombstone during 1958 and was one of three regular cast members on the Whispering Smith television series. While Buffington's wife Pat was in Palm Springs, California, he wrote a note to her, locked himself in the bathroom, sealed air passages under the door and window, and turned on a gas jet. When she returned home on Sunday evening, May 15, 1960, she had to break-in the bathroom door. Buffington was dead; his note apologized to her for not being able to support her, and requested cremation. Buffington's friends expressed surprise at the note, since he had made over $20,000 the year before and had good career prospects

Known For

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Waldren

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Smalley

King Creole

as Dr. Martin Cabot (uncredited)

Invasion of the Saucer-Men

as Col. Ambrose, USAF

The Brothers Karamazov

as Tipsy Merchant

Maverick

as Ponca Brown

Maverick

as Logan

Maverick

as Bigelow

Wanted: Dead or Alive

as Fred the Bartender

They Came to Cordura