Sam Barton in the episode "The Return of Dr. Thackeray" of Have Gun—Will Travel. He also appeared in two other Have Gun—Will Travel episodes. That year, he played Charles Stewart Brent, owner of the Brent Building in Los Angeles, where Perry Mason had his office, and the defendant in the Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Gilded Lily." In 1959, shortly before his death, Withers was cast in the episode "Feeling His Oats" on the children's western series Fury, starring Peter Graves and Bobby Diamond. He also appeared that year as Sheriff Charlie Clayton in the episode "A Matter of Friendship" in John Bromfield's crime drama U.S. Marshal. His last film role was in the 1959 Roger Corman crime drama I Mobster. His last TV role, also in 1959, was as Ed Martin in "The Ringer" episode of the Rory Calhoun western series The Texan. In total, Withers appeared in some 200 film and television roles. Personal life In 1930, he eloped to Yuma, Arizona, with 17-year-old actress Loretta Young. The marriage ended in annulment in 1931 just as their second movie together, titled Too Young to Marry, was released. He also was married to Gladys Joyce Walsh. Some of Withers's later screen appearances were arranged through the auspices of his friends John Ford and John Wayne. He appeared in nine movies with John Wayne, including Fort Apache (1948) and Rio Grande (1950). Wayne was best man at Withers's fifth marriage, to 24-year-old Cuban-born actress Estelita Rodriguez in January 1953 in Reno, Nevada. They resided in the San Fernando Valley on Woodcliff Avenue in Sherman Oaks, California. Estelita began a nightclub singing career at the end of her Republic contract. The marriage was not a happy one, and they divorced in 1955. A noticeable weight gain became apparent in his films as his career progressed. In later years, back problems were among his health issues. Death Withers died on March 27, 1959, in his Hollywood apartment at age 54. With failing health, he committed suicide by overdosing on barbiturates. Withers left a suicide note that read: "Please forgive me, my family. I was so unhappy. It's better this way." He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Selected filmography References External links Interview at the New York Times Photographs and literature 20th-century American male actors Male actors from Colorado American male film actors American male silent