W. Earl Brown
Dan Dority: the loyal enforcer of Deadwood's Gem Saloon.
W. Earl Brown is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, musician, and songwriter. He is perhaps best known for his role as Dan Dority on the HBO series Deadwood (2004–2006). Brown was born in Golden Pond, Kentucky, and earned a bachelor's degree from Murray State University before moving to Chicago, where he received an MFA from DePaul University Theatre School in 1989. His performance as Dan Dority anchors the series as a key figure in the camp's brutal power struggles.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- William Earl Brown
- Born
- 7 September 1963
- Birthplace
- Golden Pond, Kentucky, U.S.
- Occupation
- Actor
- screenwriter
- producer
- musician
- songwriter
- Years active
- 1991–present
- Children
- 1
- Education
- Murray State University (BA); DePaul University (MFA)
Lore & Background
On Deadwood, Brown portrayed Dan Dority, a character central to the HBO series that ran from 2004 to 2006. Dan serves as the right-hand man to Al Swearengen, the owner of the Gem Saloon, and is known for his fierce loyalty and brutal efficiency.
Reader's Guide
Besides Deadwood, Brown is best known as Kenny the cameraman in Scream (1996), Warren in There's Something About Mary (1998), and the voice and motion capture of Bill in the video game The Last of Us (2013).
Brown played Dan Dority, Al Swearengen's right-hand man, through all three seasons of HBO's Deadwood (2004-2006).
Did You Know?
- Brown is also a musician who writes and performs with the country music band Sacred Cowboys.
- Brown portrayed singer Meat Loaf in VH1's television film Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back.
More in Production & Legacy
Elsewhere in Deadwood
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