During Hollywood’s Golden Era, there was a man whose rugged charm and piercing blue eyes made him a beloved figure in the world of television and cinema.
His name was Dale Robertson a star of many TV westerns including “Tales of Wells Fargo” and who Time magazine in 1959 said, “probably the best horseman on television.”
For most of his career, Robertson played in Western films and television shows — more than 60 titles in all before he died in La Jolla.
TALES OF THE WEST
Robertson, born Dayle Lymoine Robertson, was the son of Melvin and Vervel Robertson and was not only a renowned actor but also a U.S. Army veteran.
Born on July 14, 1923, in Harrah, Okla., a place known as the “Heart of the Heartland,” his journey into acting began with a childhood steeped in varied tales of the Wild West.
His breakthrough role as Jim Hardie in “Tales of Wells Fargo” held a special place in his heart. He felt a profound connection to the character, embodying the spirit of duty and honor. “Playing Jim Hardie was a dream come true,” he once said.
The appeal of the Western genre was something he understood he once said: “The American West is a tapestry of untamed beauty and rugged individualism. It’s a part of our nation’s history that continues to captivate audiences because it represents the spirit of the American frontier.”
Throughout his career, his genuine love for acting was prevalent in his roles and he believed, “Acting is more than just reciting lines. It’s about becoming the character, understanding their motivations, and breathing life into them. That’s the true magic of storytelling.”
His dedication to his craft earned him respect from many of his peers including director Clint Eastwood who once added, “Dale’s performances made me believe in the Wild West all over again. He had that rare ability to transport you back in time with just a look or a gesture.”
Veteran actor John Wayne, a legend of the Western genre, once noted, “Dale Robertson was the epitome of the American cowboy. He brought a sense of authenticity and honor to every role he played.”
A ROLE MODEL
But some say Robertson was not just an actor; he was also a role model for many. Reports said he believed that actors had a responsibility to inspire and uplift: “I’ve always tried to portray characters who stand for something, who embody values like courage, integrity, and kindness,” he said.
Some of his fans who left comments on his Find a Grave memorial website (of which there are more than 800) said:
“Birthday blessings. Rest In Peace great actor loved all your roles especially gambler from Natchez and gunfight at black horse canyon,” Deborah Dyess on July 15, 2023.
“Still watching you on ‘Tales of Wells Fargo.’ Wish that you were still here!” Dale Monahan on July 15, 2023.
“’Tales of Wells Fargo’ is still available several times each day on TV. Dale Robertson was a wild fist fighter when necessary and he had the strength of character to speak his mind. His horse Jubilee was an awesome performer and a star as well,” Shirley Jolley Spencer on May 26, 2023.
“I saw the movie ‘The Boy with Green Hair’ in the ‘50s. One of the best movies I have seen. I would love to see it again. Rest in Peace,” Anonymous on Feb. 26, 2023.
STILL RIDING ALONG
By 1960, Robertson guest starred in NBC’s “The Ford Show,” with Tennessee Ernie Ford, and in 1962, he appeared and sang a fine rendition of “High Noon” on the western comedy and variety series “The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show.”
In 1963, after “Tales of Wells Fargo” ended its five years on TV, he played the lead role in the first of A.C. Lyles’ “Law of the Lawless.” The film was intended to star Rory Calhoun, but he got pneumonia the night before the filming was to begin.
Roberston would go on to film a TV pilot about “Diamond Jim Brady,” but it never made it to a series, however, that didn’t stop him.
In 1965 he created United Screen Arts and released two of his films, “The Man from Button Willow” (1965, animated) in which he was the voice, and “The One-Eyed Soldiers” (1966).
During the 1966–67 TV season, Robertson starred in “Scalplock,” a television pilot released as a movie called “Iron Horse.” In it, his character wins a railroad line in a poker game and then he opts to run the company.
In 1968, he took over from Robert Taylor as the host of “Death Valley Days,” a role by Stanley Andrews and future U.S. President Ronald W. Reagan. The series would come to its end, after 19 years on the air, with Robertson hosting 26 episodes.
LATER CAREER
Never one to quit what he loved, in 1970 Robertson played a US Army major in the Japanese film “Aru heishi no Kake” and guest starred as himself in the episode “Little Orphan Airplane” of the popular “The Six Million Dollar Man” with Lee Majors in 1974.
In 1981, Robertson made it to nighttime soaps like “Dynasty,” playing the role of Walter Lankershim. In 1983, he was in Big John, another television pilot playing a Georgia sheriff who becomes a New York Police Department detective.
In 1987, Robertson starred as the title character on “J.J. Starbuck” and played the character Frank Crutcher in five episodes of the highly-rated TV series and another nighttime soap opera, “Dallas” during the 1982–83 season.
By December 1993 and January 1994, he appeared in two episodes of “Harts of the West” as Zeke Terrell and was on “The Tonight Show.”
In the last few years before he died, Robertson hosted “Little Known Facts,” a popular radio show, which was broadcast on more than 400 radio stations around the country.
DEATH AND VALUES REIGN
Throughout his life, Roberston stayed true to his values and never forgot his Oklahoma roots, many said. He was not only an actor but also a dedicated family man, married to Marjorie White and Lula Mae Maxey, with two children, Rochelle, and Melvin.
In his later years, he lived in La Jolla where he continued to enjoy the ocean views and the peaceful surroundings. His connection to La Jolla was rooted in the tranquility and natural beauty of the area, offering a change from the chaotic Hollywood lifestyle.
Robertson and his third wife, Susan Robbins, whom he married in 1980, were said to have lived on his ranch in Yukon, Okla., where it was reported he had 235 horses with five mares foaling many grand champions.
NO BIG AWARDS
He didn’t win any Oscars or Emmys, but he was a recipient of the Golden Boot Award, an honor given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Western film and television genre. This award celebrated his iconic roles in Westerns and his influence on the genre.
Roberston also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry.
He died at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla on Feb. 27, 2013, from lung cancer and pneumonia at the age of 89. Many newspapers around the country upon his death published his obit including the Associated Press, New York Times, and other media outlets.
Despite his passing, it appears his legacy lives on in the hearts of those who admired his talent, his commitment to his craft, and his belief in the power of storytelling to inspire and uplift. He left behind a trail of memories and a legacy that continues to inspire generations through films and reruns.
Some of his movies and TV series include:
Movies:
The Boy with Green Hair (1948)
Fighting Man of the Plains (1949)
Take Care of My Little Girl (1951)
Lydia Bailey (1952)
The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953)
The Gambler from Natchez (1954)
A Day of Fury (1956)
Hell Canyon Outlaws (1957)
Wolf Larsen (1958)
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Merrill’s Marauders (1962)
The Golden Head (1964)
The Man from Button Willow (1965)
Law of the Land (1976)
TV Series:
Tales of Wells Fargo (1957–1962)
Death Valley Days (1960–1965)
Iron Horse (1966–1967)
J.J. Starbuck (1987–1988)
The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991)