Richard Allen Boone (June 18, 1917 – January 10, 1981) was an American actor who starred in over 50 films and was notable for his roles in Westerns. He was best known as the star of the TV series Have Gun – Will Travel. [Wikipedia]
Trivia:
Richard refused a salary for his part as General Sam Houston in The Alamo (1960), and John Wayne gave him a Rolls-Royce as well as the buckskin coat he wore in the film as compensation.
He was a 7th generation nephew of Daniel Boone.
Boone turned down the lead role in a television pilot for The Man -- later retitled as Hawaii Five-O.
His hobbies included painting and writing short stories.
During one episode of Boone's early 1970s show, Hec Ramsey, his character reveals he had worked under the name Paladin. <--I need to track this down-->
Boone turned down the role of Pike Bishop in The Wild Bunch (1969).
Quotes:
"Every time you go to the well, it's a little further down. It's sad, like seeing Sugar Ray Robinson after his best days are past. You wish he wouldn't fight any more, and you could just keep your memories." --about leaving the role of Paladin
"You know, Hec Ramsey is a lot like Paladin, only fatter." --on similarities between his series characters
"When I direct a show, I'm pretty arbitrary, if I have a fault, it's that I see an end and go for it with all my energy; and if I'm bugged with people who don't see it or won't go for it, it looks as though I'm riding all over them." --TV Guide magazine interview, 1961
9 comments:
My oldest brother watched 'Have Gun With Travel' without fail, and used to sketch the chess piece on the calling card amd a profile of Paladin sitting on his horse.
It was a good introduction for good guys to wear black.
Barbara, From other comments you’ve left it sounds like your older sibling(s) provided a good education for you. Paladin was a little (not much) before my time but I've caught up by buying the first three seasons on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed them. I’m disappointed that it doesn’t look like they will be releasing anymore.
I just about remember that show. He always seemed cooler than the other cowboys. Except maybe Maverick.
One of my childhood faves!
Aloha from Hawaii 50
Boone was always a favorite. I watched Have Gun and Hec Ramsey. As A collector of TV tie-ins, I tracked down three Have Gun novels and I believe there was at least one Hec Ramsey.
Patti, The Coolest and by far the most sophisticated. Paladin was an erudite of the old west.
Cloudia, Buenos Dias from the state named for the 17th century Duke of York.
Randy, Wouldn’t it be great if westerns had their own Hard Case style outlet? I’d love to have some old/new western novels like the Have Gun you mentioned.
I always liked Boone and he could play a helluva villain. Coincidentally, the character in my current western short is Josh Allen Boone.
The last thing I saw Richard Boone in was "Gods Gun" with Lee Van Cleef, Jack Palance, Sybil Danning and Leif Garrett. What a cast!
Charles, I'm looking forward to reading that western and Boone's a good character name. Wish I'd thought of it.
Richard, Sybil Danning was very influential to me around twelve or so. I hadn't thought about her in awhile.
Post a Comment