Michael Landon lived just a few years past 50, but it felt like his death was missing from this list. But I get it--you have to cut it off somewhere. It was surprisingly shocking to see Peter Deuel included, but knowing you, of course he would be in the mix. I had such a crush on him as a teenager, and his death affected me a little. But he's rarely mentioned and I'm glad you did. Also a sad reminder of the big talent lost before the age of 50--Jeffrey Hunter, Steve McQueen and Elvis Presley stand out for me. Perhaps because I'm just a couple of degrees from each of them. Elvis really wanted to be the next James Dean and might have succeeded, if not for his despicable manager. I remember Steve went to Baja to meet with Dr. Cantreras, who was pushing his B-17 cure for cancer, but as you said, Mesothelioma is incurable, and Steve went home to enjoy his last days with his cigars and bourbon. And as the editor of the Star Trek fan club magazine, Dimensions, and mentored by Gene Roddenberry himself, of course I remember Jeffrey Hunter's involvement with that show. Rob, it's a wonderful tribute to all these fine actors we lost too soon. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and learning more about some of the obscure actors from early silent films. I also enjoyed seeing who got to work with these memorable actors. I had no idea the extent of some of their careers, especially Dan Blocker, who was my mom's favorite. When I saw the news of his death, I immediately went to inform my mom, who replied, "I guess I'm next." Not something you want to hear your mom say, and quite melodramatic. I love how you never discount the value of television westerns with those of the big screen. Your celebration of westerns and your desire to document and preserve the history of westerns in film and television is remarkable and I look forward to each new episode that pops up on my KZfaq page. Thank you again, Rob, for this wonderful tribute and a look back at some of our western heroes, gone too soon.

@@kyrilascully7828 I actually read your whole comment bc it's so interesting. All three lead stars of Star Trek played in a few western series as guest stars. And yes, Elvis even had his own western films. 😎👍

A deep, abiding sadness follows my words, for the loss of my favorite Heroes and Heroines of filmdom. They all hold a special place in my life, as role models to be like. *Nick Adams* also had a powerful role in an Outer Limits episode,where he ends up saving Earth. *Dan Blocker's* death came as a shock to my family & I, when he passed away 2 days before my birthday. What a sad event that was for me. _Bad Company,_ caught my attention for *Barry Brown.* His passing wasn't very well marked in the news, as I recall, and I often wondered what happened to him. Another shocking death was *Peter Deuel's.* The wife (long before we met) & I always admired him, and thought he was underrated. *Allison Hayes* passing, brought a lot of attention to the dangers of Lead Poisoning. For me, she was the most loved to hate actress in her _Bad Girl_ roles *Jeff Hunter.* What more can I say to honor him, other than I never saw a film he was in, that I didn't enjoy immensely. His passing a day after my birthday, crushed my mom and I. My eyes were always drawn to *Buck Jones* in his Tom Mix sidekick films. There was just a certain _honesty_ about his character the you rarely see on screen even today. *Steve McQueen.* _Wow,_ fails to describe real life exploits, and believable characters on screen. His passing touched me deeply. His Mesothelioma may have been caused during his service in the Marines. *Audie Murphy's* plane crashed not too far from where I lived in Virginia. He was always one of my greatest Heroes, alongside Roy Rogers, the Duke, and others. Never cared much for *Elvis* as a singer. But his acting was superb comedic, and darn good in drama. R.J. You get another 👍👍s & 5⭐ for this production. However heavy hearted it makes me feel.

Please include Peter Lee Lawrence.

Not sure if I think of these as western stars but iirc they were in at least one western. But I could be wrong. Sal Mineo, John Belushi, Monty Cliff, John Candy, James Dean, Natalie Wood and Heath Ledger. I think they were all under 50. I will be honest, I'm woefully uneducated about the silent film era but I'd bet there were a lot, since antibiotics and vaccines were not around. Was Valentino in a western? Mentally, I am seeing him as a gaucho for some reason.

HEALTHWILL DO THAT!

MP 0:36

Dan blocker was also in the movie lady In cement Starring Frank Sinatra And if memory serves me correct? He was also in the movie. Cockeyed cowboys of calico county.

Don't hate me for what I'm about to say it my opinion I just don't understand suicide I feel for them there needs to be more people to help them and drugs are not the way

No they don't it depends on where there zip code falls

I loved Bonanza…but if I had been a young woman in the series…..of the three brothers, I would have married Hoss. He was a truly good, caring man and I loved his smile……if wishes were horses, etc. Our TV watching every day goes…Gunsmoke, Bonanza, then The Rifleman…every day….still love these shows.

👍👍👍very true🙏♥️🇺🇸🦅🇲🇺🦤

Oh! They have westerns like Broke Back Mountain about a couple of cowboys who were “you know “. 😏😘

I am 65 old polish man living in England,l was reading comments and something cross my mind… Coz we are close age l wish you a long happy life 🕺💃❤

Thanks, Marshal. We're working hard to deliver! WHITE FEATHER is beautiful, wide screen, too. I need to watch it again.

Me too

Thanks, Diane. Glad you enjoyed it

BUT HAD HEALTH PROBLEMS!

It's still my favorite show, too! A big Ben Murphy fan.

Merci beaucoup, Denis. I've been working for several months on a sequel to this episode and it will be ready for THIS Sunday. Whew!

Beautiful thoughts, David. Thanks.

I remember walking into homes when families were getting their first color television sets and the colors were ALWAYS way out of whack! Used to drive me nuts.

❤❤vcm🎉😢😮😅😊😅mo 😢😮😅😅😅😅😅😅😊

For me, too, Cat.

Jeffrey Hunter was gorgeous.

Thanks, Missy. Very sad. Audie died way too soon.

Thank you very much, Bernie.

You bet!

Thanks, m. I appreciate your observation. Glad you enjoyed it.

Hi Raleigh, N.C. I was born and raised in Goldsboro, N.C My family and I always went to Raleigh for our shopping and great Doctors visits. I am living in Virginia now and truly miss North Carolina. It will always be HOME to me.

Thank you, Sally Ann. Good suggestions. I have Joan in the list but not Gail and Inger. Excellent!

Thank you for your nice thought, T. Duel was special.

Thanks, Ann

Don't worry, Dolls, he's on our list of over 50, and certainly not forgotten. This very long episode took an extraordinary amount of time and effort and we maybe we should have done them in batches of 5 or 6 at a time but I wanted to delve into each persons film history a length and give their background more depth. Eric will be included in an upcoming edition of this special topic and tribute to favorites who died too young. Thanks.

I loved Barry Brown.

I went to them all, Pryce. He's a rock & roll god.

Colonel Tom Parker took 50 percent of Elvis Presley's earnings. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

The sad thing is that the fans of the time didn’t support the more serious films he made in the early 60s (Flamin’ Star, Wild In The Country, etc) like they did with GI Blues or Blue Hawaii, with box office receipts for the former at around 50% below the latter.

@@probyperson1 Elvis was the first to make a million per movie. Each of his films made money, no matter how bad they were. No one has ever done that. And... to the uploader, I appreciate you including Elvis here, but he sang many different genres of music. That was what made him stand out. Influences were country, R&R, gospel, jazz, opera, and biggest were quartets like JD Sumner and the Stamps, who he use to sneak and see when he was young. Had no money. JD saw him and let him in. Years later, JD and the Stamps were on stage with him until the end. Must not forget what was inside himself before he sang a note. Your "he sang black music" prompted this reply. Yes, he had some black influences, but Elvis fans know he had so many others, too.

From '56 to March '58 , he made 4 movies, then two years in the U.S. Army , came back in March 1960 and continued his movie career to late '69 when he made his last movie '' Change of Habit '' ! 33 Films Total ! From Aug1969 to August 1977, he toured through out the U.S. performing Live Concerts and did a lot of shows at the Las Vegas International Hilton ! Elvis gave 1,684 Concerts and over 6,000 Live Performances during his career as a Entertainer Super Star, a astonishing and amazing achievement not surpassed by anyone ! And over 2.5 Billion Records sold Worldwide ! The Highest Selling Single Artist in the History of Recorded Music ! AND the Only Entertainer in the World that is a member of 4 Music Halls of Fame ! Rock 'n Roll, Country, R & B , and Gospel ! And 21 other Halls of Fame ! That's Why Elvis is the KING of Music !!!

You bet, Hoss. How 'bout Dan Blocker? Just for you.

Thanks, Chris. I wandered around the Mill with my family the summer after they shot NIGHT PASSAGE. Very cool location!

Thanks, Marv

That is a WONDERFUL story, Diana. Beautiful memories of a real hero. You are blessed.

Loved Audie Murphy. Great Texas boy with a cute voice...

@@AWordonWesterns I was just about to post the exact same message. A great great story. Audie Murphy was my favorite cowboy when I was young. Still today when he's on TV, reruns of his movies I watch every single one of them, many times over and over. Today is October 17th 2022. I am now 79 years old. But I still remember all the old Cowboys, I also like Bob Steel, Roy Rogers, Gabby Hayes, hop along Cassidy, John Wayne. There are others but I can't quite remember.

L.Q. was very special, Greg. Thanks. We're taping a tribute at The Autry this Tuesday, July 19th, to those two rascals from THE WILD BUNCH, L.Q. and Bo Hopkins.

@@AWordonWesterns That’s great! Can’t wait to see it, Rob.

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Thomas.

Thanks very much, Sue.

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you, too.

Thanks, Lee. A labor of love.

Thanks, Sue. I just checked on Richard Long. Only 47. Very cool that your great grandfather worked at the 101.

Great suggestions!

So nice of you to say, Eileen. THANKS!

No. Jesus is still alive. Elvis said that he was just a singer and Jesus is the real king.

GOD MAKES O MISTAKES!

GOD TOUCHED THEM AND THEY SLEPT

Thanks, DD

Dear Rob what about Eric Fleming of Rawhide? Handsome, tall and the definitive trail boss. Died too young, and in a horrible way.

That's true, Tracy. Even 64 is too young!

What happened to him

@@chesterswortham5197 he died of a heart attack

Always my favorite.

My favorite Lee van Cleef,a top actor,the best of the best in Westerns

Nobody seemed to have seen KLONDIKE, T. Early cancellation and even a name and format change!

Thanks very much for your comment, Eric.

Thanks, Joan. He's on my BIG list of those who died too young. I'm planning more tribute episodes for them. Back in the 1970's Sal was on both my TV interview show and my syndicated entertainment radio series, FOCUS ON FILM. He was very complimentary and I gave him my movie poster from REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, my only copy. He didn't have one. A very fine actor.

@@AWordonWesterns That was very kind of you to give him a valuable poster. I'm sure he appreciated it.

Thanks. I think you'll enjoy this Sunday's show.

My list has over 50 performers, Donna, and I'm putting together a sequel for this episode, which took several months to compile and produce. Thanks!

Thanks, js. Pat is on our larger list and we are planning more tributes.

Thank you! I really enjoyed the varied list of actors that you covered in this one. Pete Duel, Audie Murphy and Allison Hayes are personal favorites. Wonderful tribute to them all. Thank you again!

@@AWordonWesternsCould Pat Brady be included in this list? He was Roy Rogers sidekick on the Roy Rogers show in the 50s He always drove a Jeep.

Thanks, Richard.

I loved the movie “Love Me Tender” classic Elvis

❤❤❤❤❤😂😂

Sure was, Boss. Thanksl

He was a gentle giant. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

I was watching TV in Fort Worth Texas, and they interupted the program to announce Dan Blocker's Passing!

My children were kin to Dan Blocker through their Grandmother from Oklahoma. My oldest has 2 traits like him which are the blue, almond shaped eyes, and his husky, soft voice.

GOD DOES NOT HAVE TO JUSTIFY OR EXPLAIN HIS CHOICES. U WILL KNOW IN HEAVEN !

You bet, Margaret. Thank you

Cool, pizzaman. I remember them well. I've still got a couple of well worn Fanner Fifties. No Greenie Stickum Caps, though.

@@AWordonWesterns Back then, it was more of our own imaginations. It really was awesome for us back then. Now, my kids range from 33 to 53, even grandkids in their 20s. Our entertainment was so different back then. Take care & God bless.

Great write up .My Dad passed in 2019 at 85..His stories were great..He grew up in the Best times of America. .I'm 61. .I'm jealous of anybody that grew up in 1930's-early.1960's..I only watched Classic tv shows and movies..will continue till I die..Country is so Gone today ..it sickens me. Thanks for your story.

😮

Us too! Thanks, Jim.

Many thanks, Derek. I've added Jeff.

Thanks, Joyleen

Thanks, Wes. We're taping new interviews and also having friends comment and honor L.Q. and Bo Hopkins this Tuesday at The Autry for A WORD ON WESTERNS. L.Q. would have been 95 next month. What a life and career!!

n

......it felt like a family member had died ! which of course says a hell of a lot....

You got it, LCC. Probably a part 3 as well.

Indeed. A great war hero!

Not just his life, but his reputation as well. He spoke out about shell shock (PTSD) when it was a very, very taboo topic, to raise awareness for veterans during the Vietnam War, which made him extremely unpopular in some circles. It's the "small" things like that, as well as his exploits in WWII, that make him my personal hero.

I agree with you. Audie Murphy has always been my favorite. Billy the Kid was eerie. He was excellent. To Hell and Back was a movie that you would not get tired of, or at least I didn't. I lived about 30 miles from his Museum in Texas, and was able to visit there. He had so many medals on his Military Uniform, that it covered the left half of his chest, and hung to his west. I have watched his movie :To Hell and Back: I have 4 videos in case some wear out. I have watched his life story "To Hell and Back" so many times that I have worn out at least one video. His life was hard. His actions in the movie (in the Military) He was certainly inspiring. I will never forget him.

It is true that he was offered the part of Scorpio......but I have read that he would not have done it.... went against everything he did his whole Hollywood career.

​@@adrianotero7963 9th 6🎉57😅99999900😊😊9990p

Thanks very much, MJ. RJ and I need a couple weeks off!

Thanks, Ginny. It's sad, but I feel like I must do something to share their work.

@@AWordonWesterns You're welcome. I agree it's important to share their work. They had a big part in shaping westerns in the coming years. I have always loved westerns having watched them with my dad as a little girl whenever he was home from his job driving truck hauling cattle. He loved them and I grew to love them, too.

Thanks, Karenlee. Lots of his fans don't know Elvis wanted to be a western star and, hey, he got to be one four times! I think you'll enjoy CHARRO!

@@AWordonWesterns I did find the movie last night, but I didn't have time to watch, maybe tonight! Thank you for your kind reply!!! 🌼

@@karenleemallonee684 Charro wasn’t made in Italy…but at Apache Junction, Arizona…Spagghetti Westerns are defined by style NOT where they’re filmed.

Thank you so much 😀