If you spent any time at all watching television in the late 1970s, you know Mills Watson. You might not have known his name off the top of your head, but the second that squinty-eyed, skeptical face appeared on the screen, you knew exactly what kind of character was about to walk into the scene. He was the definitive "that guy"—the quintessential character actor who could flip from a menacing heavy to a bumbling comic foil without breaking a sweat.
Honestly, the sheer volume of Mills Watson movies and tv shows is staggering. We’re talking over 100 credits across four decades. While a lot of actors from that era faded into the background noise of reruns, Watson’s work has this weird, enduring staying power. Why? Because he played the everyman with a twist. Whether he was wearing a badge or a bandana, he felt like someone you actually knew.
The Deputy Perkins Phenomenon
You can't talk about his career without immediately hitting the red-dirt roads of Georgia. Most people remember him most vividly as Deputy Perkins. He first showed up in B.J. and the Bear, playing the incompetent sidekick to Claude Akins' Sheriff Lobo. The chemistry was so bizarrely perfect that NBC did what networks did back then: they spun it off.
The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (later just called Lobo) is basically a time capsule of 1979. It was all about car chases, slapstick, and a very specific kind of network TV charm. Watson played Perkins with this high-pitched, frantic energy that made him the perfect punching bag for Akins. It wasn't "prestige TV" by any stretch of the imagination, but it was massive. For a few years, Mills Watson was one of the most recognizable faces on Tuesday nights.
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From Westerns to Horror: The Range You Missed
If you only know him for the laughs, you’re missing the darker half of his resume. Before he was a comedic deputy, Watson was a staple in the gritty world of 70s Westerns. He popped up in Gunsmoke multiple times—six, to be exact—playing everything from a drover to a horse trader.
Then there’s Cujo (1983). If you haven't seen it in a while, go back and watch his scenes as Gary Pervier. He plays the neighbor with the doomed dog, and he brings this authentic, weathered grit to the role that grounds the whole "monster dog" premise. It’s a far cry from the bumbling Perkins.
He had this uncanny ability to fit into the background of big-budget movies, too. Look closely at Papillon (1973) or the Cheech & Chong classic Up in Smoke (1978). He’s there. He was the glue of the industry for a long time.
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Guest Starring on Literally Everything
Seriously, look at this list of guest spots. It’s like a "Best of" list for the Golden Age of network television:
- MASH* (as Sgt. Condon in "Dear Dad... Three")
- The Six Million Dollar Man (appearing in multiple episodes as different characters)
- The Rockford Files (playing everything from a sergeant to a low-level crook)
- Hawaii Five-O
- The A-Team
- Murder, She Wrote
In The Incredible Hulk pilot movie (1977), he played Sheriff Dobson. It’s one of those roles where he’s the initial antagonist, the guy standing in the way of David Banner’s peace. He was just so good at being "the obstacle."
Why He’s the Ultimate Character Actor
What made Watson special wasn't just his look—though that craggy face was built for 35mm film—it was his timing. In the 80s, he transitioned into roles like Uncle Buster in Harper Valley P.T.A.. He understood the rhythm of a sitcom as well as he understood the tension of a police procedural like In the Heat of the Night.
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He retired from acting in the early 90s, with one of his final roles being in Gunsmoke: To the Last Man (1992). It was a poetic way to go out, returning to the franchise where he’d done so much of his early work.
The Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're looking to revisit the best of Mills Watson movies and tv shows, don't just stick to the hits.
- Start with the Grit: Watch his early Gunsmoke appearances. You'll see a young actor finding his footing in the industry's toughest genre.
- The Horror Pivot: Check out Cujo. It’s probably his best dramatic performance from the 80s.
- The Cult Comedy: Find an episode of The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo. It’s goofy, sure, but Watson’s physical comedy is top-tier.
The next time you're scrolling through a retro channel or a streaming service's "Classics" section and you see that familiar face, remember the name. Mills Watson wasn't just a guest star; he was the guy who made those shows feel real.
Next Step: To see his comedic range at its peak, track down the B.J. and the Bear pilot on a physical media site or digital archive; it captures the exact moment the "Perkins" magic started.