SIMI VALLEY, CALIF.–Veteran character actor Robert Sorrells, 75, who played “Dan,” one of Tab Hunter’s partners in crime in episode 614- SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in the fatal shooting of a Simi Valley man last year. In May he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the July 24, 2004, shooting death of Arthur De Long, 45. Sorrells had earlier pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity; that plea was rejected after he was examined by doctors, who found that he was sane. Sorrells also pleaded guilty to premeditated attempted murder for shooting Edward Sanchez in the face and back. Sanchez recovered from his injuries.
De Long was a patron at the Regency Lounge, a bar in Simi Valley, when Sorrells reportedly walked in and began shooting. De Long, a 10-year Simi Valley resident who owned a painting contracting business there, died at the scene. His wife said De Long did not know Sorrells or Sanchez.
Sorrells acted in a number of films and TV shows in a career dating to the 1950s. He appeared in such films as “Death of a Gunfighter” and “Gunfight in Abilene” and TV Westerns including “Gunsmoke,” “Rawhide” and “Bonanza,” as well as on “The Waltons,” “Kung Fu” and “The Fall Guy.” His most recent film credits include “Nowhere to Run” and “Fletch.” Reportedly he had become a musical performer in recent years, occasionally playing local clubs.
