A seasoned performer on stage, television, and in film, Atterbury stood as one of Hollywood’s most esteemed character actors from the early 1950s well into the 1980s. With his tall frame and distinctive, lean features, he was often cast in Westerns during his younger years, fitting the rugged archetype with ease. However, his talent wasn’t limited to just one genre—Atterbury also delivered strong performances in thrillers, film noirs, low-budget horror films, and police dramas.

As he matured, his spirited yet warm personality made him a go-to choice for memorable grandfather figures—roles that showcased his unique charm and depth. Over the course of his extensive career, he appeared in more than 75 feature films and nearly 300 television episodes, leaving behind a vast and impressive body of work.

One of the highlights of Atterbury’s career came with his role in North by Northwest, where he portrayed a grizzled, laconic man who delivers the dry, iconic line to Cary Grant: “That plane’s dusting crops where there ain’t no crops.” This moment plays a pivotal role in setting up one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most memorable and suspenseful sequences, further cementing Atterbury’s place in cinematic history.