Daniel Boone

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NBC (ended 1970)

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  • Albert Salmi

    Yadkin (1964-1965)

    8.5
    Albert Salmi was born on March 11, 1928. His parents, Svante and Ida Salmi, were natives of Finland. They lived in the Finnish section of Brooklyn, and Finnish was the everyday language they used. It wasn't until he was school age that Albert learned to speak English. The kids in the neighborhood were an adventurous, mischievous lot; and it's a wonder that he survived his childhood. Even though he preferred a quiet, peaceful existence, Albert never ran away from a fight, usually whopping the tar out of anyone who was foolish enough to challenge him.
     After serving for three years in the U.S. Army, he received an honorable discharge and worked for a while as a uniformed guard. Albert quit, however, when the company asked him to carry a gun. He then used his G.I. Bill to study for the theatre. This, he discovered, was much more in line with his interests and talents. He studied at Irwin Piscator's Dramatic Workshop, the American Theatre Wing, and the prestigious Actors Studio, where his classmates were sure he would someday achieve major stardom. Before long, Albert was on Broadway in "End as a Man". It was the 1955 Broadway play "Bus Stop" that wowed the critics, though. This was a young actor who was really going someplace, they said; and the awards started coming in. It was natural that the Hollywood executives would start courting him, hoping he'd add some quality to their films. Nothing doing, he said - the live stage was where his heart was. Then came "The Brothers Karamazov". Well, okay, he thought. This is a classic, a film of distinction, something he could be proud of. He was cast as Smerdjakov; and his work made film critics sit up and take notice. MGM even wanted to nominate him for an Oscar for that stunning performance; but Albert's director, Richard Brooks, advised him to turn it down. To accept, he said, would be the "kiss of death" for his career. Assuming Brooks knew more about the film industry than he did, Albert heeded his advice and declined the nomination. He later regretted it, as did many of his fans who felt that, once an Oscar was declined, it would never be offered to him again. They seem to have been right.
     Albert worked with many of the industry's superstars; and he saw what complicated, demanding lives they led. He didn't want to live like that and he refused to play "the Hollywood game" of stroking egos and stepping on others in order to get ahead. Being center stage wasn't important to Albert. He just wanted to tell a story as truthfully as he could to his audience, so he changed his focus and became a character actor. He made guest starring appearances on many of the most popular series of the day, and was a regular for one season of "Daniel Boone" and for the entire run of "Petrocelli". He also appeared in over fifty films, most often as the bad guy. Casting directors noted that the most obvious things about Albert were that he was big (6'2") and he was strong. At home, Albert was a quiet family man; but when the cameras were rolling, he could be the dirtiest, rottenest, most dastardly bad guy on the studio roster. By the same token, those very same qualities made him a very believable authority figure. (Who would be dumb enough to resist arrest by a guy who could cream you in two seconds?) But guess what. Albert was a method actor who could project a huge range of genuine emotions. He could do absolutely any kind of character convincingly. Therefore, they would sometimes cast him in more complex roles, such as a bad-guy-turned-good. That became his specialty, particularly in westerns, where he felt most at home. Hardly a week went by that we didn't see Albert on one TV show or another. The quality of the script might have been questionable, but he would always give an excellent performance. As if by magic, he could transform a mediocre show into a work of art, simply by giving us the best he had to give.
     Albert was married twice. In 1955, he went on a national tour with "Bus Stop". His new leading lady was former child star Peggy Ann Garner. During the eleven months of this tour, Peggy fell in love with Albert and he enjoyed being with her, too. In 1956, they were married and, the following year, had a golden-haired, blue-eyed daughter who was the very image of her daddy. Albert and Peggy had each been an only child, so neither knew much about babies. Albert's friend, Pat Hingle, taught him how to care for a child; and Albert then took an active part in his little girl's life. This marriage was to last only seven years, however, before ending in divorce.
     At a party given by the wife of his friend Darren McGavin, Albert met Roberta Taper. This spunky little gal stole his heart and they married in 1964. Specializing in daughters, Albert gave Roberta two of her own. Now there were three blond-haired little girls in his life, and he just loved being home with his family. He would often take them with him when he worked on location, and enjoyed taking them fishing and to Gilbert and Sullivan plays. His rough, bad-guy image was just that - nothing more than an image.
     In 1984, his work was starting to wind down. He had had enough of the eccentric Hollywood life, anyway; and they moved to Spokane, Washington. Here, in the northwest, life was laid back and people were friendly. The climate reminded him of two places he loved - Finland and his native Brooklyn. He was happy here. A photo of Albert in his beautiful garden is a delight to see - he was beaming, looking quite proud of the bounty that he had produced. He took frequent walks and visited with his friends in the neighborhood. He still acted professionally now and then, and taught advanced drama classes at the Spokane Civic Theatre and Gonzaga University. To hear one of his most successful students describe it, it seems he was an excellent director, as well.
     As you can see, Albert was not your average, ordinary movie star. Instead, he was a very real, very sincere human being. "Down to earth" is how his daughter describes him. "He was an incredibly sweet, loving man," she says. Not one to go from marriage to marriage, either, Albert remained wed to Roberta until the day they died in 1990.
     What led up to this tragic event is very, very complicated. Here are the sad facts: On April 23, 1990, Albert and Roberta were both found dead of gunshot wounds to the heart. They had been shot with two different guns - Roberta with a .25 caliber and Albert with a .45 caliber one. The police assessed this as a murder-suicide with Albert behind the guns, and the story was dispatched to newspapers around the world. Friends and neighbors were completely stunned by the news. His close friend Barry Newman remains in shock about it to this day. Albert was simply not that kind of person, he says. Albert adored Roberta. Many heartbreaking things were happening in his life at the time, however, and it appears that his intention was to solve problems. A solution of this sort was not at all typical of Albert. Severe depression seems to have altered his thinking processes profoundly. We'll probably never completely understand what happened, but can just hope that this dear man and his wife are resting in peace now.
     Albert's legacy lives on, however. Every now and then, when we're flipping through the channels, we'll catch a glimpse of Albert as yet another character, telling us another story. We put the remote control down and watch intently. What a brilliant actor he was! How genuine! If someone learned something from his portrayals and became a better person for it, that, to Albert, was better than any Oscar he could get. He was a teacher by nature. The way he taught was to act out the situation on the screen for us and show us in a very clear way what would happen if we took the wrong path in life.
     Albert is no longer with us in person, but his work endures. He left us a rich legacy.

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  • Veronica Cartwright

    Jemima Boone (1964-1966)

    8.3

  • Ed Ames

    Mingo (1964-1968)

    8.5
    Ed's parents, Sonia and David Urick, were Russian Jews who immigrated to Massachusetts. Ed is the youngest of nine children (5 boys: Mac, Gene, Vic, Joe, Ed and 4 girls: Edith, Clare, Min, Sue). Growing up in a poor family, the children's lives were enriched by an education of classical and operatic music along with Shakespeare and other classic literature. Although quite athletic, it was music that was the future destiny of four of the brothers, Joe (b. 5/3/21), Gene (b. 2/13/1923, d. cancer 1997), Vic (b. 5/20/1925, d. car accident 1/23/1978). While Ed was still in high school ( Boston Latin School) the brothers formed a quartet. As amateurs they won almost all of the contests in the Boston area that they entered. Joe, on scholarship, went to UCLA. The three other brothers and their friend (cousin?) Lennie Kaufman formed the Amory Brothers quartet. Amory was Vic's middle name. A year or so latter Joe rejoined his brothers. The brothers went to New York. They were hired by bandleader Art Mooney. It was playwright and entertainer Abe Burroughs who suggested that they shorten their name to the Ames Brothers. Because of the Musician Unions ban of 1948 the first records that they recorded for Decca were never released. After the ban they were signed with the new label Coarl Records. Their first major hit was the double sided 1950's "Rag Mop" and "Sentimental Me". They continued to have Top 40 hits throughout the 50's including: "You, You, You", "Man with a Banjo", "It Only Hurts for a Little While", "Melodie D'Amour" and "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane". Also during this time the Ames Brothers made many radio and TV appearances. Including their own 15 min. show in 1955. This show was a sit com and was the first syndicated program. It was sent to foreign countries for broadcasting. In 1960 the brothers chose to go in different directions. Ed's decision may have been precipitated when his daughter announced he was home. When his wife at the time asked, who. His daughter responded "One of the Ames Brothers." Ed wanted to become an actor so he attended the Herbert Berghof Acting School. In 1961 he won the part of 'John Proctor' in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible". Although this production was off Broadway, he was soon on Broadway as El Gallo in "The Fantasticks," and Paul Berthalet in "Carnival". He also was in the national touring company of "Carnival" again with his Broadway co-star Anna Maria Alberghetti. In the non musical role of the Native American Chief Broaden in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" costarring Kirk Douglas, Ed was a critical and popular success. He was so successful that this led to his part of Mingo, an Oxford Educated Native American, and good fiend to Daniel Boone. He played Mingo from 1964-1968 in the "Daniel Boone" series. During this time he returned to singing. His first solo major hit was "Try to Remember". Ed gives his appearance on the "Johnny Carson Show" singing this song much of the credit for helping in its popularity. Ed's singing and the song was such a hit Ed came back every night for the rest of the week to sing another song. This naturally leads to the legendary performance on "the Carson Show" of April 29, 1965. Ed showing of his expertise with a tomahawk, threw it at a silhouette of a man. The tomahawk landed squarely in the outlined crotch. After much laughter (still considered by many as the longest in TV history). Carson turned to Ed and said, "I didn't even know you were Jewish." His other major hits are 1966 "Time, Time, Time,"1967 "My Cup,Runneth Over', a top 10 hit, and 1968 "Who Will Answer?". He has continued to perform in plays: "South Pacific" "Man of La Mancha", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Shenandoah", "Camelot". "Carousel", and "Romeo and Juliet." Ed also has made many TV guest appearances. He continues to do concert appearances. Ed has many other interest: In 1975 He graduated with highest honor from UCLA. It is no surprise that his major was theater and cinema arts. He continued his interest in athletics, particularly tennis and skiing. He speaks several languages. He is an Abraham Lincoln Scholar Traveled for the State Department to the Far East to encourage environmental and ecological interest. Worked with American and Russian marine biologist in the same areas. Generous with his time and energy to charitable causes such as ecology, the enviroment and political fairness in relation to the plight of Native Americans. He is currently on his horse ranch in Utah.moreless

  • Darby Hinton

    Israel Boone

    8.0
    Darby Hinton made his acting debut at the age of 6months and as a child actor appeared in many commercials, films, tv series.He attended high school at the American School in Lugano, Switzerland, and then went to college on the World Campus Afloat Institute for Shipboard Education.This was a cruise ship that traveled the world to study different societies.He returned to California to continue his studies at Pepperdine University while continuing to make tv appearances.One of Darby's great interests is the martial arts, and he is skilled in the JKD concept of fighting.moreless

  • Jimmy Dean

    Josh Clements (1968-1970)

    8.3
    Jimmy became an entertainer after serving in the U.S. Air Force. He hosted a television show titled Town and Country Time and gave both Patsy Cline and Roy Clark their start in their careers. In 1957 he got his first show named after him The Jimmy Dean Show and continued recording for CBS records. He had some success but it wasn't until 1961 that Jimmy had a big hit record with his number 1 song "Big Bad John", which won him an EMMY as Best Country & Western Recording. This lead to another television series titled The Jimmy Dean Show which introduced Jim Henson and his puppet Rowlf. It ran for a successful 3 years. Jimmy went on to star in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. Entering into the business world he started received the title of Sausage King with his Jimmy Dean Sausages.moreless

  • Don Pedro Colley

    Gideon (1968-1969)

    7.7
    He was born to Muriel and Pete Colley. His father played piano and his mother was active in politics.
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    Fess Parker

    Daniel Boone

    8.7
    Tall, Texas-born actor who was discovered by Adolphe Menjou at the University of Texas. Became the epitome of the frontier hero when cast by Disney as Davy Crockett in a series of one hour movies during the mid-50's. After the series Parker became typecast as a frontiersman so he returned to TV in 1964 as Daniel Boone, another legendary frontier hero, after he was unable to secure the rights to Crockett from Disney. When the series ended in 1970, Parker decided to leave show biz for a successful career in business. Today he owns an Inn and winery in Santa Barbara County, California.moreless

  • Patricia Blair

    Rebecca Boone

    8.7
    Patricia Blair was a beautiful redheaded actress and model who was best known to TV viewers for her roles as Lou Mallory on The Rifleman and Rebecca Boone on Daniel Boone.
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    Dal McKennon

    Cincinnatus

    8.4

  • Roosevelt Grier

    Gabe Cooper (1969-1970)

    4.1

  • Robert Logan

    Jericho Jones (1965-1966)

    7.1

  • Hannibal A. Goose

    Himself (1964-66)

    8.0
    Animal actor who won critical acclaim for his role in the 1960s frontier drama Daniel Boone. Despite getting more fan mail than any cast member of the show, Hannibal was a temperamental sort who was difficult for directors and fellow cast members to work with. He found himself out of a job in the series' second season. From there, it was a long, slow personal decline for Hannibal. Unable to find work in Hollywood because he'd been blacklisted, Hannibal ended up as the main course for Christmas Dinner in a Los Angeles homeless shelter in 1971 having been donated there by his heartless agent who was fed up with trying to find him employment. Nevertheless, with the upcoming release of Daniel Boone on DVD, younger TV viewers can discover for themselves just how talented Hannibal was when he was on his game as an actor. He might even get that long awaited and well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.moreless

  • Orville Sherman

    Tupper

    0.0

  • Warren Vanders

    Ben

    7.2

  • James Wainwright

    Cully

    9.5

  • Shug Fisher

    Jake Tench

    8.5

    Chronic stutter,
    Character actor/singer, supporting player in countless film and TV westerns over a 40 year career. He began his career as a member of the legendary western vocal group The Sons of the Pioneers.

  •

    Joan Hackett

    Theodora Liggett

    8.5
    She died far too young and never quite got to be the international star she might have been, given her talent. But then, she was too unusual, too unconventional - she was the sort of actress whose work people treasure, and remember long after her death. TV, oddly enough, is where most people (outside of US theatregoers, at least) knew her best. She brought unusual sensitivity and depth to a vast number of 1960s guest shots on all the big shows of the period, and lots of TV movies, too; she also did the occasional prestige drama special, like the TV version of O'Neill's "Mourning Becomes Electra". Movies didn't use her often enough, but her work in "The Group", "Will Penny" and "The Last Of Sheila" is very memorable.moreless

  • Ian Wolfe

    Judge

    8.8

  • Victor Buono

    Milo Quaife

    8.1
    It seemed unlikely that anyone as very large as Victor Buono would live to a great age, so his death at age 43 was not surprising; still, it was sad, for the fame that gathered round him when he was only in his twenties had largely evaporated by the mid-70s, and he had far fewer major roles than an actor of his talents deserved. He threw himself into nonsense with the greatest gusto and was usually pretty entertaining, but the hope that he might hold the same sort of position in films as Laird Cregar or Sydney Greenstreet had held in the 40s went unrealised. He was only 24 when his Oscar-nominated role as Bette Davis's epicene accompanist in "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?" made him famous. Two years later, he played Davis's father (she was thirty years his senior) in "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte". It was inevitable that an actor with such a flair for eccentricity would turn up on such TV shows of the era as "The Man From UNCLE", "Batman" and "The Wild, Wild West", and he even had a recurring role in "The Man From Atlantis." But Buono was a classically-trained actor who had been acclaimed for his Shakespearian roles (notably - of course - Falstaff) before fame arrived; his richly-rewarded success in TV silliness must have galled him sometimes.moreless

  • Henry Kingi

    Straight Arrow

    9.0

  • Fran Ryan

    Mrs. Jones

    9.3

  • Dick Sargent

    Reuben Stone

    8.8
    Sargent was a trim, handsome man with a longish chin. He played a variety of gawky businessmen roles in feature films before finding a niche in tv history as the second Darrin on "Bewitched". Shortly before his death, Sargent publicly proclaimed he was gay, and became what he called "a retroactive role model" in the battle for gay rights.moreless

  • Simon Oakland

    Bickford

    8.4
    Simon Oakland was a very recognizable character actor who enjoyed a long career of playing gruff, authority figures and tough guys, much in the mold of Edward G. Robinson. He was a fixture on television and in films and was regarded by his fellow actors as a consummate professional.

    Oakland started out as a musician, but began acting in the late 1940s. He had a string of successful performances on Broadway before he moved to Hollywood with a breakout performance in I Want to Live! (1958). Oakland played the tough, compassionate reporter who comes to Susan Hayward's defense. These characteristics would define many of the roles Oakland would play in his career.

    Oakland could also be seen in Tony Rome, West Side Story (as Lt. Schrank), and Psycho as the psychiatrist who delivers the memorable epilogue about Norman Bates.

    Simon Oakland was a mainstay on television, with starring, guest and recurring roles in several popular programs. One of his best known roles was Tony Vincenzo, the bulldog newspaper editor who clashed with Darren McGavin on Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Oakland was also a co-star of Baa Baa Black Sheep and had a recurring role on The Rockford Files as rival private eye Vern St. Cloud.

    After a long career, Oakland died of cancer in 1983, one day after his 68th birthday.moreless

  • Simon Oakland

    Dull Knife

    8.4
    Simon Oakland was a very recognizable character actor who enjoyed a long career of playing gruff, authority figures and tough guys, much in the mold of Edward G. Robinson. He was a fixture on television and in films and was regarded by his fellow actors as a consummate professional.

    Oakland started out as a musician, but began acting in the late 1940s. He had a string of successful performances on Broadway before he moved to Hollywood with a breakout performance in I Want to Live! (1958). Oakland played the tough, compassionate reporter who comes to Susan Hayward's defense. These characteristics would define many of the roles Oakland would play in his career.

    Oakland could also be seen in Tony Rome, West Side Story (as Lt. Schrank), and Psycho as the psychiatrist who delivers the memorable epilogue about Norman Bates.

    Simon Oakland was a mainstay on television, with starring, guest and recurring roles in several popular programs. One of his best known roles was Tony Vincenzo, the bulldog newspaper editor who clashed with Darren McGavin on Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Oakland was also a co-star of Baa Baa Black Sheep and had a recurring role on The Rockford Files as rival private eye Vern St. Cloud.

    After a long career, Oakland died of cancer in 1983, one day after his 68th birthday.moreless

  • Simon Oakland

    General James Wilkerson

    8.4
    Simon Oakland was a very recognizable character actor who enjoyed a long career of playing gruff, authority figures and tough guys, much in the mold of Edward G. Robinson. He was a fixture on television and in films and was regarded by his fellow actors as a consummate professional.

    Oakland started out as a musician, but began acting in the late 1940s. He had a string of successful performances on Broadway before he moved to Hollywood with a breakout performance in I Want to Live! (1958). Oakland played the tough, compassionate reporter who comes to Susan Hayward's defense. These characteristics would define many of the roles Oakland would play in his career.

    Oakland could also be seen in Tony Rome, West Side Story (as Lt. Schrank), and Psycho as the psychiatrist who delivers the memorable epilogue about Norman Bates.

    Simon Oakland was a mainstay on television, with starring, guest and recurring roles in several popular programs. One of his best known roles was Tony Vincenzo, the bulldog newspaper editor who clashed with Darren McGavin on Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Oakland was also a co-star of Baa Baa Black Sheep and had a recurring role on The Rockford Files as rival private eye Vern St. Cloud.

    After a long career, Oakland died of cancer in 1983, one day after his 68th birthday.moreless

  • John Davidson

    Jimmy McGill

    8.5
    Entertainer John Davidson has made a career doing what he loves. He has appeared as an actor and singer on Broadway and in regional theater, and has recorded 13 albums. He has many television appearances to his credit, including starring in and hosting his own programs. John's talent and likable personality made him a fixture on variety and talk shows in the 1960s and 1970s.moreless

  • John Davidson

    Sam Weaver

    8.5
    Entertainer John Davidson has made a career doing what he loves. He has appeared as an actor and singer on Broadway and in regional theater, and has recorded 13 albums. He has many television appearances to his credit, including starring in and hosting his own programs. John's talent and likable personality made him a fixture on variety and talk shows in the 1960s and 1970s.moreless

  • George Gobel

    Francis Clover

    9.3
    George Gobel, with his brand of folksy humor, gained fame in the 1950s with his own television show. He became a favorite guest on talk shows and game shows, becoming a regular on Hollywood Squares. Gobel died at age 71, leaving his wife, "Spooky Ol' Alice," three children, and three grandchildren.moreless

  • Roger Miller

    Jonny Appleseed

    10

  • Jack Albertson

    Sweet

    8.4
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