The most colorful Western character actors

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The most colorful Western character actors I have talked about western character actors before, and there are many. Both in movies and TV. Back in the day they often played in both. Today I’m looking at some of the most colorful. The ones that often stole the limelight and lit up the room with their presence. You will know most of them I’m sure. They're all gone now, let’s keep their legacy alive! Let's have fun and celebrate the genre. If you enjoy this video take a peek at my channel for more, the links in the description. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Don’t forget to share with your friends. The more the merrier.  John McIntire Possessed the requisite grit, craggy features and crusty, steely-eyed countenance to make for one of television and film's most durable character actors in westerns.   Walter Brennan Arguably the most successful character actor of American sound films. The only actor to win three Oscars in the Best Supporting Actor category.  George 'Gabby' Hayes The most famous of Western-movie sidekicks of the 1930s and 40s.   In real life he was the exact opposite of the characters he played on film. He was well read, well-groomed, serious and highly philosophical. Harry Carey Both Harry and his son Harry Carey Jr. were honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Golden Boot Award from the Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation.
 Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1976.
 Lee Marvin Began as a supporting actor of awnry and vicious demeanor, then transitioned into a star of both action and drama movie and TV,  If you think that this legendary tough guy didn't play colorful characters in his westerns, let me offer you these roles: The half sclapped Tully Crow in The Comancheros (1961), The bully with psychological problemsl, Liberty Valance in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) The drunk over the hill gunman, Kid Shelleen and his vicious no nose brother, Strawn in Cat Ballou (1965). The hard two fisted drinking and hard fighting, Ben Rumson in Paint Your Wagon (1969). The aging cowboy Monte Walsh in Monte Walsh (1970)  Strother Martin A Character actor who rose to considerable fame in the last decade of his life. Known for the famous line from Cool Hand Luke, "What we've got here is failure to communicate" listed at number 11 on the American Film Institute 's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes list.  Ken Curtis Usually playing the kind of scruffy, backwoods, uneducated, Deep-South hillbilly types. While appearing in John Ford westerns, he initially utilized his musical talents before turning to straight acting. In Rio Grande (1950) he was a guitar-playing lead-singing tenor with the "Regimental Singers". In The Quiet Man (1952) he played an accordion and sang tenor in the bar.   Andy Devine His high-pitched gravelly voice was the result of a childhood accident. While running with a stick (some accounts say a curtain rod) in his mouth, he tripped and fell, ramming the stick through the roof of his mouth. Unable to speak at all for almost a year. When he did get his voice back, it had the wheezing, almost duo-toned quality that would ultimately make him a star.  Woody Strode Athlete turned actor, Strode was a top decathlete and football star. Becoming part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford movies.  No western actor character list is complete without him! Also he is one of the first African Americans who broke the color barrier in Professional NFL football. Paul Fix A well-known movie and TV character actor who played "Marshal Micah Torrance" on the TV series The Rifleman (1958). It’s said that Fix taught John Wayne--a lifelong friend--his famous and familiar "rolling walk" when Wayne was starting out in the business. Looking for something to set him apart, Fix suggested the rolling gait that became his trademark. Chill Wills Colorful character actor of Westerns. Named "Chill" as an ironic comment on his birth date being the hottest day of 1902.  He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in The Alamo but his blatant campaign to elicit votes cost him the award. One of his ads read 'Win lose or draw, you're all my cousins and I love you. Your Cousin Chill Wills'.  Jack Elam Colorful character actor adept at vicious killers or grizzled sidekicks.  Made a career with his eerie, immobile eye, which was caused by a fight with another kid at age 12. It happened during a Boy Scout meeting when another boy took a pencil, threw it, and it jabbed his eyeball.  Jay C. Flippen Would probably be characterized these days as one of those craggy, distinctive faces you know but whose name escapes you while viewing scores of old 1950’s and 60’s films and television series. Playing both sides of the law throughout his career, known for his huge cranium and distinctive bulldog face.  Kathleen Freeman Freeman's introduction to show business came very early in life. Her parents were vaudevillians, she made her debut at age 2 in their act. She was bitten by the acting bug and never looked back.   Slim Pickens Pickens spent the early part of his career as a real cowboy and the latter part playing cowboys, he is best remembered for a single "cowboy" image: that of bomber pilot Maj. "King" Kong waving his cowboy hat rodeo-style as he rides a nuclear bomb onto its target in the great black comedy Dr. Strangelove  Agnes Moorehead First woman to co-host the Academy Awards (with Dick Powell) (1948). She appeared in five Best Picture Oscar nominees: Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, Since You Went Away, Johnny Belinda and How the West Was Won. Harry Morgan A prolific character actor who starred in over 100 films and was also a stage performer. Known to a younger generation of fans as "Col. Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H (1972). Was regarded as one of the busiest actors on television, who had continuing roles in at least 10 series, which, combined with his guest appearances, amounted to hundreds of episodes. Longtime friend of John Wayne.  Arthur Hunnicutt Lean, tall character actor known for playing humorously wise western roles. He was one of a very few actors who were almost always bearded  Eli Wallach One of Hollywood's finest character / "Method" actors, Eli Wallach was in demand for over 60 years on stage and screen, and has worked alongside the world's biggest stars, including Clark Gable, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Marilyn Monroe, Yul Brynner, Peter O'Toole and more  John Carradine Claimed near the end of his life to have appeared in more movies than any other actor, surpassing the record set by Donald Crisp. He has appeared in eight films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath, Johnny Guitar, The Court Jester, The Ten Commandments and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.  Edgar Buchanan His friend of many years, Glenn Ford, once told a story of when Edgar was preparing to do some painful dental work on him. The anesthesia consisted of others passing by and allowing the patient, Glenn, to take swallows of whiskey to help ease the pain of the process. About every third drink Glenn took, Edgar took one as well.
 Was originally a dentist with his own practice. At age 38, he turned the practice over to his wife and began his acting career.
  
 Ward Bond Gruff, burly character actor.  Although John Ford mocked many actors mercilessly (including John Wayne), Bond probably was on the receiving end of the worst verbal punishment from the director (who counted Bond among his favorite actors). At Bond's funeral, Ford walked up to Andy Devine and said, "Now YOU'RE the biggest asshole I know".  Victor McLaglen Rambunctious British character actor (contrary to popular belief, he was of Scottish ancestry, not Irish) and later character actor primarily in American films, Victor McLaglen was a vital presence in a number of great motion pictures, especially those of director John Ford.   Will Geer For well over half a century I have never gone a day without getting acquainted with some other person, and in those times I've only had my face slapped once and been called a few names.
 I'm a lifelong agitator, a radical. A rebel is just against things for rebellion's sake. By radical, I mean someone who goes to the roots.  
 Dan Duryea [on how he prepared for the obnoxious characters he often played] At first it was very hard, as I am a very even-tempered guy . . . but I used my past life experiences to motivate me. The one I used when I had to slap a woman around was easy! I was slapping the overbearing teacher who would fail you in their "holier-than-thou" class and enjoy it.
 You can't make a picture without a villain . . . it pays well and you last.
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Channel: Famous People
Views: 8,789
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Keywords: famous, people, actors, actresses, interesting facts, The most colorful Western character actors, colorful character actors, colorful Western character actors, Western character actors, John McIntire, Walter Brennan, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Harry Carey, Lee Marvin, Strother Martin, Ken Curtis, Andy Devine, Woody Strode, Paul Fix, Chill Wills, Jack Elam, Jay C. Flippen, Kathleen Freeman, Slim Pickens, Agnes Moorehead, Harry Morgan, Arthur Hunnicutt, Eli Wallach, John Carradine
Id: tZZ3ius8mRU
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Length: 13min 50sec (830 seconds)
Published: Sat Jul 08 2023
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