Rudy Sooter

He was known for playing the recurring role of bartender Rudy in the American Western TV series Gunsmoke.

Rudy first became known for his country and western music as a songwriter and performer. Bob Nolan and Roy Rogers were in his band before he formed the Sons of the Pioneers. Sooter regularly worked on radio and became a musician and bandleader for B-western projects.

He began his career in 1930, appearing in the film Trailing Trouble, starring Hoot Gibson and Margaret Quimby.

Later in his career, Sooter appeared in numerous films Mostly Westerns such as The Unknown Ranger (1936), Rhythm of the Saddle (1938), Destry Rides Again (1939), Bad Man from Red Butte (1940), Texas Trouble Shooters (1942), Gunning for Vengeance (1946), Short Grass (1950), Top Gun (1955), The Oklahoman (1957), One Foot in Hell (1960) and Apache Uprising (1965). He also appeared in very many television programs, including Bonanza, Wanted Dead or Alive, Rawhide, Bat Masterson, Wagon Train, Have Gun – Will Travel and Death Valley Days.

Sooter died on June 9, 1991, at the age of 85.