mattlock based on what attorney

by Lula Eichmann 5 min read

attorney Bobby Lee Cook

Who is Matlock?

Mar 15, 2021 · One of the most famous television lawyers of all time is Ben Matlock from Matlock. The well-known lawyer show is supposedly based on a once practicing lawyer. Bobby Lee Cook was one of Georgia’s most famous lawyers during his practicing period. While Matlock has been off-air for a while, Cook passed away this past February. He was 94.

Who is Ben Matlock’s lawyer on ‘the client’?

Mar 03, 1986 · Matlock: Created by Dean Hargrove. With Andy Griffith, Nancy Stafford, Julie Sommars, Clarence Gilyard Jr.. Ben Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.

Is Matlock based on a true story?

Mar 03, 1986 · Matlock: Created by Dean Hargrove. With Andy Griffith, Nancy Stafford, Julie Sommars, Clarence Gilyard Jr.. Ben Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.

Is Matlock worth the money?

Matlock is an American mystery legal drama television series created by Dean Hargrove, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock. The show, produced by Intermedia Entertainment Company (first season only), The Fred Silverman Company, Dean Hargrove Productions (called Strathmore Productions in the first two seasons) and Viacom …

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Although never officially confirmed, a widespread rumor suggests that the character of Ben Matlock was based on colorful lawyer Bobby Lee Cook, known as the "dean of Georgia criminal defense attorneys." Cook, whose practice is based not in Atlanta but in a small mountain town, has been an attorney since the 1940s and has gained an international reputation for his …

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What lawyer is Matlock based on?

attorney Bobby Lee CookMatlock is reported to be based on Georgia defense attorney Bobby Lee Cook.

Who was the character Matlock based on?

Channel 2 Action News confirmed that Bobby Lee Cook died Friday at his home in Cloudland. He was 94. Cook was reputed to be the inspiration for Matlock's main character, Ben Matlock, which starred Andy Griffith as a brilliant Georgia attorney. The show aired for nine seasons starting in 1986.Feb 19, 2021

Is Ben Matlock based on a real person?

While the character of Ben Matlock is completely fictional on the television show, it has been rumored that he was actually based on a real southern lawyer who made waves in the courtroom. His name was Bobby Lee Cook, and he was based in a small mountain town in Georgia, rather than Atlanta like Matlock.Sep 3, 2018

Is Matlock based on Perry Mason?

The format of Andy Griffith's legal drama Matlock is pretty much snatched straight from Perry Mason. ... But while the structure of each episode connects the two shows, Griffith said the character of Ben Matlock was not inspired by Perry Mason, but instead, the character just naturally came to him.Jan 30, 2019

Did Nancy Stafford like Andy Griffith?

As a six-year-old girl, she was a huge fan of The Andy Griffith Show (1960). Nancy had said on an interview that when she was just a child, she bore a resemblance of Don Knotts in The Incredible Mr.

Did Matlock have 2 daughters?

Answer: There were two daughters, by my count, Steve, but three different actresses did indeed carry the role. When Diary of a Perfect Murder, the Matlock pilot film, first aired in early 1986, lawyer daughter Charlene Matlock was played by Lori Lethin.Jan 12, 2006

Why Brynn Thayer left Matlock?

Beginning with Nancy Stafford's second season in 1988, she missed several episodes, due to her busy scheduling. She left the show in 1992. ... In a couple of flashback episodes that looked at Ben's early career, Andy Griffith played Ben's father.

Why did Julie march leave Matlock?

She had a family in California that she didn't want to leave, and Griffith confirmed in an interview that there were no hard feelings when she decided not to continue on the show or make the move to Wilmington to do so. This decision ended up ending her entire acting career.Nov 9, 2020

When did Brynn Thayer leave Matlock?

Brynn Thayer Why She Left Matlock In 1997, two years after the piece of the deal, Andy Griffith rehashed the activity of Matlock on a two-segment scene of Diagnosis Murder in 1993.

Why was Bob killed off on Matlock?

Lieutenant Bob Brooks, a close friend of Ben's who also serves as his contact on the Atlanta Police Department, is stabbed to death by someone seeking revenge on Matlock and attempting to see if they can pull off the perfect crime.

Why does Matlock wear the same suit?

On the show, Matlock is always eating hot dogs and constantly recycling the same suit. The explanation for his behavior comes courtesy of Griffith reprising the role in a 1993 episode of Diagnosis Murder. ... Thanks to his legal fees and future success, Matlock could later afford fancier meals and clothes.Nov 16, 2020

How old is Andy Griffith?

86 years (1926–2012)Andy Griffith / Age at deathGriffith died on July 3, 2012, from a heart attack at the age of 86 at his coastal home in Manteo, Roanoke Island, in Dare County, North Carolina.

Storyline

In this legal drama, Andy Griffith plays Ben Matlock, a criminal-defense lawyer based in Atlanta. Matlock typically identifies and confronts the perpetrator in a dramatic courtroom scene. His goal, most often, is to prove reasonable doubt of his client's guilt.

Did you know

In 1997, two years after the end of the series, Andy Griffith reprised the role of Matlock on a two part episode of Diagnosis Murder (1993). This would mark his final appearance in the role, and the only time the Matlock character was seen on CBS. In the episode, it is explained that Dr.

User reviews 37

There really isn't anything obviously good about "Matlock." It's kind of corny. It's awfully predictable (Matlock ALWAYS represents innocent clients and ALWAYS unmasks the real culprits in getting said innocents off). Some of the characters are pretty lame (Billy and Cliff Lewis are not personal favorites).

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By what name was Matlock (1986) officially released in India in English?

Who was the law partner on Matlock?

After the case was over, Michelle followed Matlock back to the U.S. and became his new law partner, while Cassie stayed on as a file clerk until the end of the season, when she disappeared for reasons never made clear. With Lizer's departure, Julie Sommars became a regular cast member.

Who is Ben Matlock based on?

Although never officially confirmed, a widespread rumor suggests that the character of Ben Matlock was based on color ful lawyer Bobby Lee Cook, known as the "dean of Georgia criminal defense attorneys.".

Who plays Charlene Matlock in the pilot?

Linda Purl ( Lori Lethin in pilot) as Charlene Matlock (season 1), Ben's younger daughter who became a partner to her father before she moved to Philadelphia to set up her own law practice. Alice Hirson as Hazel (pilot), Matlock's secretary. Kene Holliday as Tyler Hudson (seasons 1–3), Ben's first private investigator.

How many seasons of Matlock were there?

Matlock aired a total of 193 episodes across nine seasons and began with a TV-movie. 12 two-hour and 15 two-part episodes of the program were aired. Six of the episodes were clip shows with mostly minor plots that paved the way for scenes from previous stories.

When did Matlock come out on DVD?

CBS Home Entertainment (distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment) has released all nine seasons of Matlock on DVD in Region 1. On April 7, 2015, CBS released Matlock: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.

When did Matlock change to gray?

The early episodes had a scene of Ben Matlock in front of a brown screen; around 1987 , this was changed to gray. In 1992, this was changed once again to the same gray, but with a blue square around the "M" in "Matlock.". Later in the 1993-1994 season, the commercial screen was removed entirely.

Who played Jake and the Fatman?

Jake and the Fatman was a spin-off on CBS based on a character who originated in "The Don" (1986), a two-part Matlock episode from season one. William Conrad played prosecutor James L. McShane and Joe Penny played Paul Baron, the son of Matlock's client, Mafia don Nicholas Baron. Executive producers Fred Silverman and Dean Hargrove were responsible for both Matlock and Jake and the Fatman, as well as Diagnosis: Murder, created by Joyce Burditt (which itself was a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman) in 1993, also on CBS; Father Dowling Mysteries in 1988 on NBC and ABC; and the 30 Perry Mason (TV film series) made-for-TV movies from 1985 until 1995 on NBC.

What episode does Matlock ask Matlock to defend his widow from murder charges?

Paranormal Episode: "The Ghost" sees the ghost of a murder victim ask Matlock to defend his widow from murder charges and find his real killer. The Perry Mason Method: You'll find Matlock regularly engaging in courtroom antics, trying to erode the credibility of a witness so he can ambush them.

What is the killer in Matlock?

The Unreveal: In a typical Matlock episode, the killer is The Unseen and exposed in the final act of the story. However, a few episodes of the show (starting with "The Judge") introduce the killer right off the bat without trying to hide their identity.

What episode does Leanne defend her husband in?

He gets her to confess in court to end an Accuse the Witness situation against someone she cared for. In the Season 8 episode "The Defendant," Leanne defends a philanthropist accused of murdering his wife, falling for him in the process.

Where does Matlock go on vacation?

Matlock goes on vacation at an Oceanside resort. Matlock ends up defending an accused murderer in court. In "The View," Matlock and Leanne attend an out-of-town wedding. Ben witnesses a murder from his hotel room, but because of conflict-of-interest, Leanne winds up representing the accused murderer.

What does Matlock say to Tommy?

Matlock tries to explain it to him in the simplest terms, suggesting Tommy consider a diminished capacity plea (that he was unaware of what he was doing and could have killed Sandra by accident). When nothing Ben says registers with Tommy, the lawyer lets out an exasperated, "Oh, Lord....".

What episode does Julie return in?

Julie (not the prosecutor; this Julie predated her debut) from the Season 1 episode "The Sisters" returned in the Season 4 entry "The Kidnapper" to exact revenge on Matlock for getting her sent to an institution for the criminally insane.

What episode of Honest John's Dealership is about the murder of a guy who worked there?

Honest John's Dealership: The episode "The Lemon" was about the murder of a guy who worked there. Iconic Item: Aside from his suit, Matlock has a banjo that he sometimes strums on. In addition to his banjo, he also owns a ukelele and quite a few guitars. Ivy League for Everyone: Ben is a graduate of Harvard University.

Who is Matlock based on?

Andy Griffith initially did not like the character due to his vanity and cheapness. Matlock is reported to be based on Georgia defense attorney Bobby Lee Cook.

Who plays Matlock in Matlock?

Benjamin Leighton Matlock is a fictional character from the television series, Matlock, played by Andy Griffith. Matlock is a renowned, folksy yet cantankerous defense attorney who is worth every penny of his $100,000 fee. Known for visiting the scene of the crime to discover clues otherwise overlooked and his down-home style ...

Why did Matlock take the case pro bono?

Five years afterward, Carla was charged with murdering her ex-husband, and Matlock took the case pro bono as a way of apologizing to Carla ( The Stripper ).

How much is Ben Matlock's retainer?

His retainer is $100,000. Ben Matlock had several assistants over the years, both as lawyers and private investigators.

How long did it take Matlock to get out of custody?

Another one he lost was when Ken Wilson was arrested for killing his wife ( The Black Widow ). It took Matlock's client seven years for him to get out of custody. After his release, he was accused a second time, hence, his lawyer traveled to Los Angeles to reopen the case, a second time. He was found innocent.

Who played Ben Matlock?

TV Actor Andy Griffith portrayed Ben Matlock for the duration of the Matlock television series. He also portrayed Charlie Matlock, Ben's father, in flashbacks.

Who is Ben Matlock's father?

His father, Charlie Matlock, was an auto repairman in Ben's hometown.

How much did Matlock charge for each case?

Now, Matlock may have led a frugal lifestyle, but he was anything but cheap if you wanted to put him on retainer. His fee for each case was $100,000, not exactly a small amount. You would often hear his clients complain about his fees, but his retort was always that when he wins, “He’s considered a bargain.”.

When did Matlock come out?

Matlock first aired in 1986 as a 2-hour feature on NBC, and was re-shown in Cleveland, Ohio, by an NBC affiliate in 2013. This was a year after Griffith’s death. This was done because he had been left out of the In Memoriam segment during the Oscars that year.

Why does Matlock eat hot dogs?

Well, the main reason for this was because Dr. Mark Sloan from Diagnosis: Murder had advised Matlock to invest his life savings in the eight-track tape industry. The industry never really took off, and this left Matlock somewhat destitute. Therefore, he could only afford cheap suits and hot dogs until his legal career picked up again. However, it became a habit for him to live frugally throughout the series.

What issues did Andy Griffith have with Matlock?

He wanted his character to be much darker, and not the moral compass that Andy Taylor had been in “The Andy Griffith Show.” He wanted Matlock to have some darker qualities, and deal with some cases that were less morally compatible with the image the show wished to portray . This desired image was not necessarily a wholesome one, but the cases he was involved in were considered safe topics by the studio.

What is a Matlock spinoff?

Spinoff series. Matlock actually worked to launch two spinoff series, basically a spinoff from a spinoff. In 1986, it introduced the spinoff series “Jake and the Fatman” which revolved around a crime solving duo named J.L. “Fatman” McCabe and Jake Styles, who were played by Joe Penny and William Conrad.

What car did Matlock drive?

Matlock always had a grey Crown Victoria, and Taylor always drove Galaxie 500 sedans. Clearly Ford knew the importance of good product placement, specifically in shows with a large audience. Every couple of years, the model of Ford was updated for the show, which reflected Ford’s new line for the models portrayed.

What was the plot of Matlock?

The storyline was that Matlock had to defend a big Hollywood producer accused of murder. The character of ALF, who had his own wildly successful series, showed up at the end of the episode to testify against the producer. It’s still unclear if ALF was supposed to be a real alien, or a puppet on the episode.

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