Tom Gilson
Encyclopedia
Tom Gilson was an American
actor in TV and occasional films from the 1950s, who was shot dead by his wife, model
and actress Sandra Edwards
, on October 6, 1962.
, the tall, powerfully built Gilson played roles in TV western series such as Maverick
, Lawman
and Cheyenne
, but perhaps his best-remembered part was in an episode of the classic sitcom The Phil Silvers Show
, in which he played a variation on Elvis Presley
named "Elvin Pelvin."
Gilson married Sandra Edwards
in 1961 and they had a son, Tom Jr, but the marriage was stormy and ill-fated, and Edwards left Gilson and moved to her sister's house in Van Nuys, California. After apparent drunken behavior and death threats, Gilson broke into the house, and Edwards shot him dead, fearing for the safety of herself and her baby son. Although a coroner's jury later judged the killing as justifiable homicide
, Edwards' own career never recovered, and she never appeared in another film or TV program.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor in TV and occasional films from the 1950s, who was shot dead by his wife, model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
and actress Sandra Edwards
Sandra Edwards
Sandra Edwards is an American actress and model. She was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for the March 1957 issue. Her centerfold was photographed by Peter Gowland...
, on October 6, 1962.
Biography
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the tall, powerfully built Gilson played roles in TV western series such as Maverick
Maverick (TV series)
Maverick is a western television series with comedic overtones created by Roy Huggins. The show ran from September 22, 1957 to July 8, 1962 on ABC and stars James Garner as Bret Maverick, a cagey, articulate cardsharp. Eight episodes into the first season, he was joined by Jack Kelly as his brother...
, Lawman
Lawman (tv series)
Lawman is an American Western television series originally telecast from 1958 to 1962 starring John Russell as Marshal Dan Troop and featuring Peter Brown as Deputy Marshal Johnny McKay on the ABC Television Network. The series was set in Laramie, Wyoming during the mid to late 1870s. Warner Bros....
and Cheyenne
Cheyenne (TV series)
Cheyenne is a western television series of 108 black-and-white episodes broadcast on ABC from 1955 to 1963. The show was the first hour-long western, and in fact the first hour-long dramatic series of any kind, with continuing characters, to last more than one season...
, but perhaps his best-remembered part was in an episode of the classic sitcom The Phil Silvers Show
The Phil Silvers Show
The Phil Silvers Show is a comedy television series which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G...
, in which he played a variation on Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
named "Elvin Pelvin."
Gilson married Sandra Edwards
Sandra Edwards
Sandra Edwards is an American actress and model. She was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for the March 1957 issue. Her centerfold was photographed by Peter Gowland...
in 1961 and they had a son, Tom Jr, but the marriage was stormy and ill-fated, and Edwards left Gilson and moved to her sister's house in Van Nuys, California. After apparent drunken behavior and death threats, Gilson broke into the house, and Edwards shot him dead, fearing for the safety of herself and her baby son. Although a coroner's jury later judged the killing as justifiable homicide
Justifiable homicide
The United States' concept of justifiable homicide in criminal law stands on the dividing line between an excuse, justification and an exculpation. It is different from other forms of homicide in that due to certain circumstances the homicide is justified as preventing greater harm to innocents...
, Edwards' own career never recovered, and she never appeared in another film or TV program.