TV's Wyatt Earp, Hugh O'Brian, has died at 91

Associated Press ^ | Sep 5, 2016 4:51 PM EDT | Lindsey Bahr

[Olog-hai]

Hugh O’Brian, who shot to fame as Sheriff Wyatt Earp in what was hailed as television’s first adult Western, has died. He was 91.

A representative from HOBY, a philanthropic organization O’Brian founded, says he died at home Monday morning in Beverly Hills.

Until “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp” debuted in September 1955, most TV Westerns — “The Lone Ranger,” “Hopalong Cassidy,” the singing cowboys’ series — were aimed at adolescent boys.

“Wyatt Earp,” on the other hand, was based on a real-life Western hero, and some of its stories were authentic. (The real Earp, who lived from 1848 to 1929, is most famous for his participation in the 1881 “Shootout at the O.K. Corral” in Tombstone, Arizona.)

Critics quickly praised it, and it made O’Brian a star. …

[Political Junkie Too]

So is Robert Fuller, from the later seasons of Wagon Train. Robert Horton died in March.

-PJ

[catman67]

I think Roger Moore from “Maverick” is still around also.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

One of my daughters was a HOBY award winner many years ago. It was a good program teaching young juniors about being leaders. By all accounts, Mr. OBrian seemed like a very good person. One little tidbit many may not know, he was a United States Marine during WWII as a drill instructor. Oooohh Rahh! As the third verse of the Marine Corps Hymn states, he’s guarding the gates of heaven.

[deport]

Colt Buntline with 16-inch barrel

[Vigilanteman]

Cool. They say it is the rare kid who ever comes out of the program unchanged. My brother kept in touch with a lot of the kids and all went on to great things.

He actually got pretty high up on the corporate ladder before he said "screw it, it isn't consistent with my values!" He went back for a PhD and is now teaching economics in one of the oldest colleges in Virginia.

[Dawgreg]

Of course! I never watched Rawhide myself though.....;)

[fredhead]

Buck Taylor, “Newly O’Brien” from Gunsmoke is still around.