Did you ever notice the doc in Bonanza was a judge in Perry Mason?

You could say Grandon Rhodes was typecast.

CBS Television Distribution

Many parents want to see their kids grow up to be doctors or lawyers. Actors, not so much. But, hey, an actor can play a doctor and a lawyer!

Grandon Rhodes, born Grandon Neviers Augustine Rolker, had the opportunity to play notable medical practitioners and legal professionals on classic television. 

In September 1957, the Perry Mason television series premiered with the mystery "The Case of the Restless Redhead." Sitting on the bench that episode was none other Grandon Rhodes, as "Judge Kippen." Rhodes was the first actor to portray a judge on the show, as he can also been seen in "The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink," the pilot for the series, which eventually aired as the 13th episode. In that tale, he "Judge Lennox."

Rhodes would appear as a judge on Perry Mason 14 more times, sporadically through the ninth and final season in 1966.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey native landed another recurring role on a hit series, as Dr. J.P. Martin on Bonanza. He appeared as a doctor 25 times on Bonanza, tending to the sick and wounded on the Ponderosa and in Virginia City. Oddly — well, not that odd, considering the loose continuity standards of classic television — Rhodes' character was named Dr. Rob Keefer ("Once and Doctor") and Dr. Paul Kay ("The Genius").

After Perry Mason wrapped in 1966, Rhodes continued to pop up on the Ponderosa through 1967, his final episode being "Six Black Horses."

You could say he was typecast. On Green Acres, he twice played judges — Judge Crandell and Judge Jones. He was the "Physician" in an episode of The Fugitive. He was also a judge on The Beverly Hillbillies, in "Drysdale's Dog Days."

In fact, his final screen appearance would be on The Beverly Hillbillies in 1968. You can catch his last ever gig in "The Soap Opera." Who is he playing? Why, a doctor, of course.

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13 Comments

wanderer2575 2 months ago
Meh. If it wasn't Willis Bouchey on the bench, it was just another revolving judge.
Runeshaper 2 months ago
Good doctor, good judge, good actor (-:
JHP 2 months ago
lets see

Kenneth McDonald (three stooges)
O'malley -stage name (AG show)
cperrynaples 2 months ago
"In that tale he Judge Lennox." Did Tonto write this post...LOL!
justjeff 2 months ago
"Sitting on the bench that episode was none other Gradon Rhodes..." (Who, by the way was GRANDON'S evil twin!) Hahahahahahahahahaha!

Proofread, people...PROOFREAD!😣
cperrynaples justjeff 2 months ago
Not as funny as my post above!
justjeff cperrynaples 2 months ago
My post was more sarcastic than funny...
cperrynaples justjeff 2 months ago
OK, but you have to love the Tonto joke! Or would you have prefered Frankenstein...LOL! After all, "it's all makeup and grunting...ARGH!"
justjeff cperrynaples 2 months ago
Sounds like some of the women I've dated years ago...🤣😂😂😂😂
lanricray 11 months ago
Brandon Rhodes also had a recurring role throughout the entire run of the George Burns & Gracie Allen Show (1950-1958). He was Mr. Vanderlip, president of the bank that Gracie was always writing nonsensical checks on.
Spiro 43 months ago
How about Perry Mason Judge Kenneth MacDonald on some of the Three Stooges shorts.
Kenner 43 months ago
He died in 1987 age 82 I believe. R.I.P.
Andybandit 43 months ago
Interesting story. I never knew that about doctor and judge being the same person on Perry Mason and Bonanza.
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