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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