You Saw These Faces Everywhere
During the golden age of TV westerns, certain actors seemed impossible to escape—and viewers wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. They might be the sheriff in one town, an outlaw in the next, and a ranch owner the week after that. If you watched westerns during the 1950s and ’60s, these familiar faces probably showed up in your living room every single week.
Universal Television, The Virginian (1962-1971)
#25. Gregg Palmer
Gregg Palmer built an impressive western résumé with appearances in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Virginian, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Laramie, Death Valley Days, and The Big Valley. If a producer needed someone who already looked comfortable on horseback, Palmer was an easy choice.
unknown (Universal Pictures), Wikimedia Commons
#24. Richard Devon
Richard Devon specialized in stern lawmen, ranchers, and the occasional outlaw. Viewers saw him in The Rifleman, Bonanza, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Cheyenne, The Virginian, Laramie, and Death Valley Days throughout the decade.
unknown (20th Century Fox), Wikimedia Commons
#23. Robert Foulk
Robert Foulk became a familiar face across countless westerns, including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Rifleman, Rawhide, The Virginian, Laramie, Lawman, and Wagon Train. He often played gruff authority figures who looked like they’d been living on the frontier forever.
Milburn McCarty Associates (publicity agency), Wikimedia Commons
#22. Lane Bradford
Lane Bradford made a career playing memorable outlaws and tough ranch hands. His long list of credits includes The Lone Ranger, Cheyenne, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, Maverick, Wagon Train, Lawman, and Rawhide.
Screenshot from Maverick, Warner Bros. Television (1957-1962), Enhanced
#21. Frank Ferguson
Frank Ferguson usually played judges, sheriffs, and respected townspeople. He appeared in The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, Cheyenne, Bonanza, Wagon Train, Rawhide, Laramie, and Death Valley Days. Somebody had to keep the town meetings under control.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons, Enhanced
#20. Bing Russell
Before becoming Kurt Russell’s famous father, Bing Russell was already one of television’s busiest western actors. He appeared in Bonanza, Rawhide, The Virginian, The Rifleman, Wagon Train, Laramie, The Big Valley, and Gunsmoke.
Screenshot from Bonanza, NBC (1959-1973) Enhanced
#19. Paul Fix
Paul Fix spent decades riding across television screens in The Rifleman, Wagon Train, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Virginian, Death Valley Days, Laramie, and Tales of Wells Fargo. His steady presence made almost every western feel more authentic.
#18. Mort Mills
Mort Mills became a reliable supporting actor thanks to appearances in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, Cheyenne, Lawman, The Rifleman, The Virginian, and Death Valley Days. If trouble rode into town, chances are Mort Mills wasn’t far behind.
TV episode screenshot (ABC), Wikimedia Commons, Enhanced
#17. R.G. Armstrong
R.G. Armstrong excelled at playing stubborn fathers, ranch owners, and fiery authority figures. His western credits include Rawhide, Bonanza, The Virginian, The Rifleman, Laramie, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, and Death Valley Days.
unknown (NBC TV), Wikimedia Commons
#16. James Best
Long before The Dukes of Hazzard, James Best was everywhere in western television. He appeared in The Rifleman, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Cheyenne, Laramie, The Virginian, and Death Valley Days.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
#15. John Doucette
John Doucette practically lived in westerns. His rugged appearance landed him roles in The Lone Ranger, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, The Rifleman, Cheyenne, Lawman, and Wagon Train. He always looked like he belonged in the saddle.
TV episode screenshot (CBS), Wikimedia Commons
#14. Andrew Duggan
Andrew Duggan brought authority to every western he joined. Audiences saw him in Bonanza, The Virginian, Rawhide, Gunsmoke, The Rifleman, Laramie, Death Valley Days, and The Big Valley.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
#13. Michael Ansara
Michael Ansara became one of western television’s most recognizable performers through Broken Arrow, Law of the Plainsman, The Rifleman, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Virginian, Laramie, and The Big Valley. His commanding screen presence made every appearance memorable.
#12. Robert J. Wilke
Robert J. Wilke was one of television’s favorite villains. His credits include The Rifleman, Rawhide, Bonanza, Cheyenne, Lawman, Laramie, The Virginian, and The Tall Man. Heroes usually knew they were in for a long day when Wilke showed up.
unknown (Filmaster Prod.), Wikimedia Commons
#11. Royal Dano
Royal Dano’s unmistakable voice and dramatic style made him unforgettable. He appeared in Bonanza, Rawhide, The Virginian, Death Valley Days, The Big Valley, The Rifleman, Wagon Train, and Lancer.
unknown (MGM), Wikimedia Commons
#10. John Anderson
John Anderson’s distinctive white hair made him instantly recognizable. He appeared in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, Laramie, The Virginian, Death Valley Days, The Big Valley, and Cimarron Strip, often playing respected frontier leaders.
#9. John Dehner
John Dehner’s deep voice made him a natural fit for westerns. Audiences saw him in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, The Virginian, The Rebel, Wagon Train, The Rifleman, and Frontier Circus.
CBS Enterprises, Wikimedia Commons
#8. Leo Gordon
Leo Gordon not only acted in westerns—he also wrote several of them. His television appearances included Cheyenne, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Rifleman, Laramie, Maverick, and The Tall Man. He looked like someone you definitely didn’t want to challenge to a duel.
DVD (Batjac-Paramount Pictures), Wikimedia Commons, Enhanced
#7. Edgar Buchanan
Edgar Buchanan became one of television’s most beloved western character actors through appearances in Hopalong Cassidy, Cheyenne, The Rifleman, Wagon Train, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Virginian, and The Californians. He always seemed like the friendliest person in town.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
#6. Strother Martin
Whether he played a rancher, shopkeeper, or outlaw, Strother Martin stole nearly every scene. Viewers spotted him in Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Rifleman, Laramie, The Virginian, Wagon Train, and Have Gun – Will Travel.
DVD (Batjac-Paramount Pictures), Wikimedia Commons, Modified
#5. Harry Carey Jr.
Harry Carey Jr. carried on one of Hollywood’s greatest western legacies. He appeared in Rawhide, Bonanza, Wagon Train, The Virginian, The Rifleman, Laredo, The Big Valley, and The Californians, becoming one of television’s most dependable western performers.
Unknown RKO-radio photographer., Wikimedia Commons
#4. Jack Elam
With his unmistakable look, Jack Elam was impossible to confuse with anyone else. He appeared in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, Cheyenne, Have Gun – Will Travel, Lawman, The Dakotas, and The Texan. If he smiled, somebody was probably about to get into trouble.
Studio Publicity, Wikimedia Commons
#3. Claude Akins
Claude Akins seemed to appear in every major western series of the era. His credits include Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, The Virginian, Laramie, The Big Valley, The Rifleman, and Wagon Train. Whether hero or villain, he always made an impression.
TV episode screenshot (NBC), Wikimedia Commons
#2. L.Q. Jones
L.Q. Jones became one of the busiest actors in western television history. He appeared in The Rifleman, Rawhide, Cheyenne, The Virginian, Bonanza, Laramie, The Rebel, Alias Smith and Jones, and many more. If there was dust on the trail, L.Q. Jones probably wasn’t far away.
L. Q. Jones in trailer for Hang 'Em High (1968), Wikimedia Commons, Enhanced
#1. Denver Pyle
No actor seemed to appear in more television westerns than Denver Pyle. Viewers regularly saw him in The Rifleman, Bonanza, Rawhide, The Virginian, Wagon Train, The Big Valley, The Tall Man, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Gunsmoke, and dozens of others. For many boomers, spotting Denver Pyle in a western almost felt like part of the opening credits.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
How Many Did You Recognize?
The stars on this list weren’t always the ones whose names appeared first on the poster, but they became the backbone of television westerns. They rode into countless towns, played hundreds of unforgettable characters, and helped make the 1950s and ’60s the greatest era western television has ever seen.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
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