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Wesley Lau (June 18, 1921 – August 30, 1984) was an American film and television actor, and occasional screenwriter.
Wesley Lau
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Wesley Lau as Dave Walker in "Desert Justice" episode of Bonanza (1960)
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| Born | (1921-06-18)June 18, 1921 |
| Died | August 30, 1984(1984-08-30) (aged 63)
Los Angeles, California, US
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin Yale Drama School |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, screenwriter |
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Wesley Lau was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. His parents were Albert and Agnes (née Feldner) Lau. He graduated from Central High School in 1939.[citation needed]
Lau studied playwriting at the University of Wisconsin, taking time off to serve in the United States Army Air ForcesinWorld War II. He received a Master of Arts degree at Yale Drama School,[1] later continuing his studies at The Actors Studio in New York.[2] Although his goal was to be a writer, he ended up acting simply because he found more jobs as an actor than as a playwright when he arrived in New York City seeking work.
Lau was probably best known for playing Lt. Andy Anderson in the TV series Perry Mason. He appeared frequently during the latter part of the show's run, especially during times when longtime series regular Ray Collins, who played Lt. Arthur Tragg, was absent. Collins died in 1965 before the series ended its run. Lau first appeared on Perry Mason as defendant Amory Fallon in "The Case of the Impatient Partner" in September 1961. Less than a month later, he made the first of 81 appearances as Lt. Anderson, a role which ran from the fourth episode, "The Case of the Malicious Mariner" of the fifth season (1961–1962) through the last episode, "The Case of the Mischievous Doll" of the eighth season (1964–1965).
Other shows in which Lau made appearances included Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke, Mike Hammer, Johnny Ringo, Have Gun-Will Travel, Peter Gunn, The Twilight Zone, The Time Tunnel, The Big Valley, Mission: Impossible, Cannon, Wagon Train, and The Six Million Dollar Man. He would reunite with Raymond Burr in an episode of Ironside called "In the Forests of the Night".
He also appeared in motion pictures, including the 1960 John Wayne film The Alamo.[3]
Lau died of heart failure[4] on August 30, 1984, aged 63, and is buried at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills Cemetery, Los Angeles.[5]
