I resisted the urge to mention that Parker was a Texan in the headline, but the cultural icon, movie and television star (and native son of Texas) has passed away at the ripe old age of 85.
The man was a true icon of the Western. The guy is the face of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. The list of notable favorites that he’s been involved in stretches from The Great Locomotive Chase to Old Yeller.
Plus, the man did two of the most noble things known to man: serving his country (as a Marine) and he created alcohol (with his still-operating winery).
I’m sure we all have great memories of his performances and still probably have a coon-skin cap sitting in our childhood closets somewhere, but no one has written about the subject better than Leonard Maltin who celebrates the man’s career and remembers fondly meeting him. The full piece can be read here.
King of the Wild Frontier.
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