Lieutenant Sorrell Booke, A Soldier's Story

Lieutenant Sorrell Booke, A Soldier's Story

Lieutenant Sorrell Booke

Born January 4, 1930 - Died February 11, 1994

Lieutenant Sorrell Booke was born on January 4, 1930, in Buffalo, New York. From an early age, his natural charisma and love of performance were evident. As a teenager attending Bennett High School, he entertained local audiences with his voice impressions on Buffalo radio stations. Bright and driven, he graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1948.

After high school, Booke attended Columbia University, where he excelled academically and graduated magna cum laude. His passion for learning led him to Yale University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. However, his studies were briefly interrupted when he answered the call to serve his country during the Korean War.

During his service, Lieutenant Sorrell Booke was assigned to the U.S. Army’s Counterintelligence Corps. Fluent in several languages, including Japanese, French, Spanish, Russian, and Italian, he proved invaluable in intelligence work, helping gather and interpret critical information during a tense period of global conflict.

Following his honorable military service, Booke returned to civilian life and pursued his lifelong love of acting. He spent several years performing on stage in New York before heading west to Hollywood in 1960. His talent and versatility earned him a wide range of roles in both film and television. Among his early film credits was Black Like Me (1964), a bold and socially conscious project of its time.

Lieutenant Booke’s television career flourished throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He was nominated for an Emmy for his guest role in Dr. Kildare and appeared in many popular shows, including MASH*, All in the Family, Hawaii Five-O, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

However, it was his portrayal of the comically corrupt but oddly endearing “Boss Hogg” on The Dukes of Hazzard that made him a household name. From 1979 to 1985, Booke brought humor, wit, and surprising depth to the role, turning a caricature into one of television’s most beloved villains. Offscreen, he was known as a gentle, articulate man—humble, scholarly, and deeply kind.

Lieutenant Sorrell Booke passed away from cancer on February 11, 1994, at the age of 64. He rests at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City, California. Though best remembered for making audiences laugh, his service to his country and his dedication to his craft remain lasting testaments to his character and talent.

* Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here*

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

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