Unlike many actors, John Dehner's career didn't begin on the stage or on radio. He started out as an animator for Walt Disney Studios, then worked as a disc jockey and a professional pianist. He made his film debut in the 1940s, and has appeared in dozens of films. A tall and distinguished looking man with a rich voice and somewhat flamboyant demeanor, Dehner often was cast as an outlaw leader, crooked banker or saloon owner in westerns and adventure films, although he was occasionally cast against type in comedies, and played a crusading newspaper reporter in the TV series _"The Roaring 20's" .
He once appeared in as many as 6 films in one year. Some of these roles were very small, but crucially important to the film (e.g. Mr. Bascombe, the potential robbery victim, in Carousel ).
His television appearances in a single year were sometimes just as frequent as his film appearances. In 1959 alone, he made a total of nine guest appearances in several television series being aired at the time.
Began his show-business career as an artist at Walt Disney Studios.
As a news reporter, earned his radio station a Peabody Award for his coverage of the U.N. conference in San Francisco.
Auditioned three times for the role of Matt Dillon on radios "Gunsmoke." Turned the role down because he did not want to be typecast as a cowboy.
