Dale Robertson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dayle Lymoine Robertson (July 14, 1923 โ February 27, 2013) was an American actor best known for his starring roles on television. He played the roving investigator Jim Hardie in the long-running NBC/ABC hit television series Tales of Wells Fargo, and Ben Calhoun, the owner of an incomplete railroad line in ABC's The Iron Horse. He was often presented as a deceptively thoughtful but modest Western hero. From 1968 to 1970, Robertson was the fourth and final host of the syndicated Death Valley Days anthology series. For most of his career, Robertson played in western films and television showsโwell over sixty titles in all. His best-remembered series, Tales of Wells Fargo aired on NBC from 1957 to 1961, when it moved to ABC and expanded to an hour-long program for its final season in 1961-1962. The show was originally produced by Nat Holt whom Robertson felt he owed his career to for giving him his first leading roles.[10] Robertson also did the narration for Tales of Wells Fargo through which he often presented his own commentary on matters of law, morality, and common sense. He was unique among his television contemporaries, stating that he hated the gun he was forced to carry, but saw it as a necessary evil, a "tool of the trade", and kept practicing.[citation needed] In its March 30, 1959, cover story on television westerns, Time reported Robertson was 6 feet tall, weighed 180 pounds, and measured 42-34-34. He sometimes made use of his physique in "beefcake" scenes, such as one in 1952's Return of the Texan where he is seen bare-chested and sweaty, repairing a fence. In 1960, Robertson guest-starred as himself in NBC's The Ford Show, starring Tennessee Ernie Ford.[12] In 1962, he similarly appeared on a short-lived western comedy and variety series, ABC's The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show. In 1963, after Tales of Wells Fargo ended its five-year run, he played the lead role in the first of A.C. Lyles' second feature westerns, Law of the Lawless.
Known For
Credits
- 2000 ยทThe Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Storyas
- 1993 ยทHarts of the Westas
- 1992 ยทLegends of the Westas Maj. Robert Parrish in 'Sitting Bull'
- 1987 ยทJ.J. Starbuckas Jerome Jeremiah Starbuck
- 1984 ยทMurder, She Wroteas Colonel Lee Goddard (uncredited)
- 1981 ยทDynastyas Walter Lankershim
- 1979 ยทThe Last Ride of the Dalton Gangas Judge Isaac Parker
- 1978 ยทDallasas Frank Crutcher
- 1977 ยทThe Love Boatas Mason Fleers
- 1975 ยทThe Kansas City Massacreas Melvin Purvis
- 1975 ยทMelvin Purvis G-Manas Melvin Purvis
- 1970 ยทThe Walking Majoras Major Clark J. Allen
- 1969 ยทThe Johnny Cash Showas Self
- 1966 ยทThe Iron Horseas Ben Calhoun
- 1966 ยทScalplockas Benjamin Calhoun
- 1966 ยทThe One Eyed Soldiersas Richard Owen
- 1965 ยทThe Man from Button Willowas Justin Eagle
- 1965 ยทCoast of Skeletonsas A.J. Magnus
- 1964 ยทBlood on the Arrowas Wade Cooper
- 1964 ยทLaw of the Lawlessas Judge Clem Rogers
- 1964 ยทThe Hollywood Palaceas Self - Host
- 1962 ยทThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self
- 1961 ยทThe Mike Douglas Showas Self - Co-Host
- 1961 ยทThe Mike Douglas Showas Self
- 1961 ยทGunfight at Black Horses Canyonas Jim Hardie
- 1958 ยทFast and Sexyas Raffaele
- 1957 ยทHell Canyon Outlawsas Sheriff Caleb Wells
- 1957 ยทTales of Wells Fargoas Jim Hardie
- 1956 ยทThe Dinah Shore Chevy Showas Self
- 1956 ยทThe High Terraceas Bill Lang
- 1956 ยทDakota Incidentas John Banner
- 1956 ยทThe Steve Allen Showas Self - Tales of Wells Fargo
- 1956 ยทThe Steve Allen Showas Self - Guest
- 1956 ยทA Day of Furyas Jagade
- 1955 ยทThe 20th Century Fox Houras Lt. Clay Tucker
- 1955 ยทSon of Sinbadas Sinbad
- 1955 ยทTop of the Worldas Lee Gannon
- 1954 ยทClimax!as
- 1954 ยทClimax!as Nicky Jordan
- 1954 ยทSitting Bullas Bob Parrish
- 1954 ยทStudio 57as
- 1954 ยทThe Gambler from Natchezas Vance Colby
- 1953 ยทCity of Bad Menas Brett Stanton
- 1953 ยทDevil's Canyonas Billy Reynolds
- 1953 ยทThe Farmer Takes a Wifeas Dan Harrow
- 1953 ยทThe Silver Whipas Race Crim
- 1952 ยทThe Outcasts of Poker Flatas John Oakhurst
- 1952 ยทThe Ford Television Theatreas Donny Weaver
- 1952 ยทThis Is Your Lifeas Self
- 1952 ยทDeath Valley Daysas Self - Host
- 1952 ยทO. Henry's Full Houseas Barney Woods (segment "The Clarion Call")
- 1952 ยทLydia Baileyas Albion Hamlin
- 1952 ยทReturn of the Texanas Sam Crockett
- 1951 ยทGolden Girlas Tom Richmond
- 1951 ยทSchlitz Playhouse of Starsas
- 1951 ยทSchlitz Playhouse of Starsas Jim Hardie
- 1951 ยทThe Red Skelton Showas Robinson Crusoe
- 1951 ยทThe Secret of Convict Lakeas Narrator (Voice) (uncredited)
- 1951 ยทTake Care of My Little Girlas Joe Blake
- 1951 ยทCall Me Misteras Capt. Johnny Comstock
- 1950 ยทTwo Flags Westas Lem
- 1950 ยทThe Cariboo Trailas Will Gray
- 1949 ยทFighting Man of the Plainsas Jesse James
- 1949 ยทFlamingo Roadas Tunis Simms (uncredited)
- 1948 ยทThe Boy with Green Hairas Policeman (uncredited)