HOME

TheInfoList



Click Here for Items Related To - Dale Robertson
OR:
Dale Robertson on:   [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Amazon]

Dayle Lymoine Robertson (July 14, 1923February 27, 2013) was an American actor best known for his starring roles on television. He played the roving investigator Jim Hardie in the television series '' Tales of Wells Fargo'' and railroad owner Ben Calhoun in ''
Iron Horse ''Iron horse'' is an iconic literary term (considered by the early 21st century to be transitioning into an archaic reference) for a steam locomotive, originating in the early 1800s, when horse The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domes ...
''. He often was presented as a deceptively thoughtful but modest
Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...
hero. From 1968 to 1970, Robertson was the fourth and final host of the
anthology series An anthology series is a radio, television, video game or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a differ ...
''
Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program ...
''. Described by ''
Time Time is the continued sequence of existence and events that occurs in an apparently irreversible succession from the past, through the present, into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequence events, to ...
'' magazine in 1959 as "probably the best horseman on television", for most of his career, Robertson played in western films and television shows—well over 60 titles in all.


Early life

Born in 1923 to Melvin and Vervel Robertson in
Harrah, Oklahoma Harrah is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Located east of downtown Oklahoma City, Harrah had a population of 6,360 people as of the 2018 Census. The first settler of the a ...
, Robertson fought as a professional boxer while enrolled in the
Oklahoma Military Academy Rogers State University (RSU) is a public university in Claremore, Oklahoma. It also has branch campuses in Bartlesville and Pryor Creek. History The institution that is now RSU has gone through several stages, from its foundation as a stat ...
in
Claremore Claremore is a city and the county seat of Rogers County in Green Country or northeastern Oklahoma, United States. The population was 19,580 at the 2020 census, a 5.4 percent increase over the figure of 18,581 recorded in 2010. During this time Columbia Pictures offered to test Robertson for the lead in their film version of '' Golden Boy'', but Robertson turned down the trip to Hollywood for a
screen test A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film or in a particular role. The performer is generally given a scene, or selected lines and actions, and instructed to perform in front of a came ...
. He didn't want to leave the ponies he was training, nor his home, and the role went to
William Holden William Holden (born William Franklin Beedle Jr.; April 17, 1918 – November 12, 1981) was an American actor, and one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1950s. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the film ''Stalag 17'' (1953) ...
.


World War II

During World War II, he was commissioned through
Officer Candidate School An officer candidate school (OCS) is a military school which trains civilians and Enlisted rank, enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a Commission (document), commission as Commissioned officer, officers in the armed forces of a country. ...
, and served in the
United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
322nd
Combat Engineer Battalion An Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB) was a designation for a battalion-strength combat engineer unit in the U.S. Army, most prevalent during World War II. They are a component of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Also known as "Combat ...
of the 97th Infantry Division in Europe. He was wounded twice and was awarded the
Bronze Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such ...
and
Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...
medals.


Career


Early roles

Robertson began his acting career by chance when he was in the United States Army. When he was stationed at
San Luis Obispo, California San Luis Obispo (; Spanish for " St. Louis the Bishop", ; Chumash: ''tiłhini'') is a city and county seat of San Luis Obispo County, in the U.S. state of California. Located on the Central Coast of California, San Luis Obispo is roughly halfwa ...
, Robertson's mother asked him to have a portrait taken for her because she didn't have one; so he and several other soldiers went to Hollywood to find a photographer. A large copy of his photo was displayed in his mother's living room window.Paregien Sr., Stan
Dale Robertson profile at www.fortunecity.com
(accessed May 26, 2010) He found himself receiving letters from film agents who wished to represent him. After the war, Robertson's war wounds prevented him from resuming his boxing career. He stayed in California to try his hand at acting. Hollywood actor Will Rogers Jr., gave him this advice: "Don't ever take a dramatic lesson. They will try to put your voice in a dinner jacket, and people like their hominy and grits in everyday clothes." Robertson thereafter avoided formal acting lessons. Robertson made his film debut in an uncredited role as a policeman in ''
The Boy with Green Hair ''The Boy with Green Hair'' is a 1948 American fantasy-drama film in Technicolor directed by Joseph Losey in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Dean Stockwell as Peter, a young war orphan who is subject to ridicule after his hair myste ...
'' (1948). Two other uncredited appearances led to featured roles in two
Randolph Scott George Randolph Scott (January 23, 1898 – March 2, 1987) was an American film actor whose career spanned the years from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in a variety of ...
Westerns: ''
Fighting Man of the Plains ''Fighting Man of the Plains'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Edwin L. Marin. It stars Randolph Scott, Bill Williams, Victor Jory and Jane Nigh. Dale Robertson had his first credited role, playing Jesse James. Plot Jim Dancer ...
'' (1949), where he played
Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the " Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained stro ...
, and ''
The Cariboo Trail ''The Cariboo Trail'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Edwin L. Marin and starring Randolph Scott. It was the final film appearance of George "Gabby" Hayes. Plot Montanans Jim Redfern and Mike Evans head into Canada's British Colum ...
'' (1950). Popular acclaim to Robertson's brief roles led him to be signed to a seven-year contract to
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...
. Robertson's first role for Fox was a support part in a Western, ''
Two Flags West ''Two Flags West'' is a 1950 Western drama set during the American Civil War, directed by Robert Wise and starring Joseph Cotten, Jeff Chandler, Linda Darnell, and Cornel Wilde. The opening credits contain the following statement: On December ...
'' (1951). He had a support part in the musical ''
Call Me Mister ''Call Me Mister'' is a revue with sketches by Arnold Auerbach and words and music by Harold Rome. The title refers to troops who are happily returning to civilian life and no longer want to be addressed by their military ranks. The Broadway pr ...
'' (1951). He soon advanced to leading roles in films such as ''
Take Care of My Little Girl ''Take Care of My Little Girl'' is a 1951 drama film directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Jeanne Crain, Dale Robertson, Mitzi Gaynor and Jean Peters. The film, shot in Technicolor, is based on the 1950 novel of the same name written by Peggy ...
'' (1951), where he played
Jeanne Crain Jeanne Elizabeth Crain (May 25, 1925 – December 14, 2003) was an American actress. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her title role in '' Pinky'' (1949). She also starred in the films ''In the Meantime, Darling'' (1944 ...
's love interest, and '' Golden Girl'' (1951), where he supported
Mitzi Gaynor Mitzi Gaynor (born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber; September 4, 1931) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Her notable films include '' We're Not Married!'' (1952), '' There's No Business Like Show Business'' (1954), '' The Birds ...
.


Stardom

Fox gave Robertson top billing in ''
Return of the Texan ''Return of the Texan'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Delmer Daves and starring Dale Robertson and Joanne Dru.Anne Baxter Anne Baxter (May 7, 1923 – December 12, 1985) was an American actress, star of Hollywood films, Broadway productions, and television series. She won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, and was nominated for an Emmy. A granddaughter of Fra ...
in ''
The Outcasts of Poker Flat "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" (1869) is a short story written by writer of the American West Bret Harte. An example of naturalism and local color of California during the first half of the nineteenth century. The story was first published in Janua ...
'' (1952), and starred in the historical adventure ''
Lydia Bailey ''Lydia Bailey'' is a 1952 American historical film directed by Jean Negulesco, based on the novel of the same name by Kenneth Roberts. It stars Dale Robertson and Anne Francis. Plot In 1802, lawyer Albion Hamlin travels from Baltimore to Ca ...
'' (1952). Robertson was never very cooperative with the press, even shunning the powerful columnist
Louella Parsons Louella Parsons (born Louella Rose Oettinger; August 6, 1881 – December 9, 1972) was an American movie columnist and a screenwriter. She was retained by William Randolph Hearst because she had championed Hearst's mistress Marion Davies and su ...
. As a result, he won the press' Sour Apple Award for three years running. But then, commented Robertson, "that dang Sinatra had to hit some photographer in the nose and stop me from getting my fourth." He was one of several Fox names in ''
O. Henry's Full House ''O. Henry's Full House'' is a 1952 American anthology film made by 20th Century Fox, consisting of five films, each based on a story by O. Henry. The film was produced by André Hakim and directed by five directors from five screenplays with di ...
'' (1952) and was
Betty Grable Elizabeth Ruth Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) was an American actress, pin-up girl, dancer, model, and singer. Her 42 films during the 1930s and 1940s grossed more than $100 million; for 10 consecutive years (1942–1951) she reign ...
's love interest in ''
The Farmer Takes a Wife ''The Farmer Takes a Wife'' is a 1934 play by Frank B. Elser and Marc Connelly based on the 1929 novel '' Rome Haul'' by Walter D. Edmonds. It was well-received upon its opening night on Broadway on October 30, 1934, at the 46th Street Theatre ...
'' (1953). RKO borrowed him for '' Devil's Canyon'' (1953) with
Virginia Mayo Virginia Mayo (born Virginia Clara Jones; November 30, 1920 – January 17, 2005) was an American actress and dancer. She was in a series of comedy films with Danny Kaye and was Warner Brothers' biggest box-office money-maker in the late 1940s. ...
and ''
Son of Sinbad ''Son of Sinbad'' is a 1955 American adventure film directed by Ted Tetzlaff. It takes place in the Middle East and consists of a wide variety of characters, including over 127 women. The film was shot in 1953 and planned to be released in 3D ...
'', filmed in 1953 but not released for two more years. He returned to Fox for ''
City of Bad Men ''City of Bad Men'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Harmon Jones and starring Jeanne Crain and Dale Robertson. Plot A heavyweight championship fight between "Gentleman Jim" Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons is coming to Carson City, Nev ...
'' (1953) with Crain; ''
The Silver Whip ''The Silver Whip'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Harmon Jones and starring Dale Robertson, Rory Calhoun and Robert Wagner. Plot Cocky young drifter Jess Harker (Robert Wagner) wants to be a driver on the stagecoach's main line, j ...
'' (1954) with
Rory Calhoun Rory Calhoun (born Francis Timothy McCown, August 8, 1922April 28, 1999) was an American film and television actor. He starred in numerous Westerns in the 1950s and 1960s, and appeared in supporting roles in films such as ''How to Marry a Millio ...
and
Robert Wagner Robert John Wagner Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor of stage, screen, and television. He is known for starring in the television shows '' It Takes a Thief'' (1968–1970), ''Switch'' (1975–1978), and ''Hart to Hart'' (1979– ...
; and ''
The Gambler from Natchez ''The Gambler from Natchez'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by Henry Levin and starring Dale Robertson and Debra Paget. Plot After four years away from New Orleans, Vance Colby is summoned by his gambler father. On a riverboat, a gam ...
'' (1954) with
Debra Paget Debra Paget (born Debralee Griffin; August 19, 1933) is an American actress and entertainer. She is perhaps best known for her performances in Cecil B. DeMille's epic ''The Ten Commandments'' (1956) and in Elvis Presley's film debut, '' Love Me ...
.


Freelancer

Robertson went over to
United Artists United Artists Corporation (UA), currently doing business as United Artists Digital Studios, is an American digital production company. Founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks, the studi ...
to star in ''
Sitting Bull Sitting Bull ( lkt, Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake ; December 15, 1890) was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance against United States government policies. He was killed by Indian agency police on the Standing Rock I ...
'' (1954), and '' Top of the World'' (1955), an adventure film. Robertson did ''
A Day of Fury ''A Day of Fury'' is a 1956 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Harmon Jones and starring Dale Robertson, Mara Corday and Jock Mahoney. Plot A gunslinger named Jagade happens upon a stranger in trouble on the trail and saves his ...
'' (1956) for Universal and ''
Dakota Incident ''Dakota Incident'' is a 1956 American Trucolor Western (genre), Western film directed by Lewis R. Foster and starring Linda Darnell, Dale Robertson, John Lund (actor), John Lund and Ward Bond. Plot On the run after a bank robbery, Rick Largo c ...
'' (1956) for Republic, then travelled to Britain for ''
High Terrace ''High Terrace'' is a 1956 black and white British mystery film directed by Henry Cass and starring Dale Robertson, Lois Maxwell, Derek Bond, Eric Pohlmann and Lionel Jeffries. Plot Beautiful fledgeling actress Stephanie Blake (Lois Maxwell) i ...
'' (1956).


Television

'' Tales of Wells Fargo'', his best-remembered series, 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 originally was produced by Nat Holt whom Robertson felt he owed his career to for giving him his first leading roles. 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. In its cover story on television westerns, published March 30, 1959, ''Time'' reported Robertson was 6 feet tall, weighed 180 pounds, and measured 42–34–34. He sometimes made use of his physique in "
beefcake Beefcake is a performance or a form of glamour photography depicting a large and muscular male body. Beefcake is also a publication genre. A role a person plays in a performance may be called ''beefcake''. The term was believed to be first used ...
" scenes, such as one in 1952's ''
Return of the Texan ''Return of the Texan'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Delmer Daves and starring Dale Robertson and Joanne Dru. In 1960, Robertson guest-starred as himself in NBC's ''
The Ford Show ''The Ford Show'' (also known as ''The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford'' and ''The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show'') is an American variety program, starring singer and folk humorist Tennessee Ernie Ford, which aired on NBC on Thursday eveni ...
'', starring
Tennessee Ernie Ford Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991), known professionally as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American singer and television host who enjoyed success in the country and western, pop, and gospel musical genres. Noted for ...
. In 1962, he similarly appeared and sang a perfect rendition of "High Noon" on the short-lived western comedy and variety series ''
The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...
''. In 1963, after ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' ended its five-year run, he played the lead role in the first of A.C. Lyles' '' Law of the Lawless''. Robertson created United Screen Arts in 1965 which released two of his films, '' The Man from Button Willow'' (1965, animated) and ''
The One Eyed Soldiers ''The One Eyed Soldiers'' is a 1966 United Kingdom/Yugoslavian/Italian/United States international co-production crime film shot in Yugoslavia that was directed and co-written by John Ainsworth under the name of Jean Christophe. The film, shot ...
'' (1966). Robertson filmed a television pilot about
Diamond Jim Brady James Buchanan Brady (August 12, 1856 – April 13, 1917), also known as Diamond Jim Brady, was an American businessman, financier and philanthropist of the Gilded Age. Early life and family Brady was born in New York City to an Irish immig ...
that was not picked up as a series. In the 1966–67 season, Robertson starred in ''Scalplock'' another television pilot released as a movie that became ''
Iron Horse ''Iron horse'' is an iconic literary term (considered by the early 21st century to be transitioning into an archaic reference) for a steam locomotive, originating in the early 1800s, when horse The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domes ...
'', in which his character wins an incomplete railroad line in a poker game and then decides to manage the company. In 1968, he succeeded Robert Taylor as the host of ''Death Valley Days'', a role formerly held by
Stanley Andrews Stanley Andrews (born Stanley Martin Andrzejewski; August 28, 1891 – June 23, 1969) was an American actor perhaps best known as the voice of Daddy Warbucks on the radio program ''Little Orphan Annie'' and later as "The Old Ranger", the first ...
and future
U.S. President The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States ...
Ronald W. Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
. The series would come to its end, after 19 years on the air, with Robertson's 26 episodes as host. In rebroadcasts, ''Death Valley Days'' (often known as ''Trails West'' at the time), featured
Ray Milland Ray Milland (born Alfred Reginald Jones; 3 January 1907 – 10 March 1986) was a Welsh-American actor and film director. His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985. He is remembered for his Academy Award and Cannes Film Festival Award-winning ...
in the role of revised host. Robertson guest-starred on the November 17, 1969, episode of ''
The Dean Martin Show ''The Dean Martin Show'', not to be confused with the ''Dean Martin Variety Show'' (1959–1960), is a TV variety-comedy series that ran from 1965 to 1974 for 264 episodes. It was broadcast by NBC and hosted by Dean Martin. The theme song to the s ...
''. Robertson also guest-starred as himself in the episode "Little Orphan Airplane" of ''
The Six Million Dollar Man ''The Six Million Dollar Man'' is an American science fiction and action television series, running from 1973 to 1978, about a former astronaut, USAF Colonel Steve Austin, portrayed by Lee Majors. After a NASA test flight accident, Austin is reb ...
'' in 1974.


Later career

He portrayed legendary FBI agent
Melvin Purvis Melvin Horace Purvis II (October 24, 1903 – February 29, 1960) was an American law enforcement official and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent. Given the nickname "Little Mel" because of his short, frame, Purvis became noted for leadi ...
in two made-for-television movies '' Melvin Purvis: G-Man'' (1974) and ''
The Kansas City Massacre ''The Kansas City Massacre'' is a 1975 American television film about Melvin Purvis. It is the second spin-off of the 1973 film ''Dillinger'', following '' Melvin Purvis: G-Man'' in 1974, also directed by Dan Curtis and starring Dale Robertson as ...
'' (1975). In 1981, Robertson was in the original starring cast of ''
Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A ...
'', playing
Walter Lankershim ''Dynasty'' is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy fa ...
, a character who disappeared after the first season. In 1983, Robertson made ''Big John'', another television pilot, where he played a Georgia sheriff who becomes a New York Police Department detective. In 1987, he starred as the title character on ''
J.J. Starbuck ''J.J. Starbuck'' is an American crime drama television series that aired on NBC from September 26, 1987, to June 28, 1988. The series follows cornpone-spouting Jerome Jeremiah "J.J." Starbuck, a billionaire Texan who wears ten-gallon hats, cowbo ...
''. Robertson also played Frank Crutcher in five episodes of the TV series ''
Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...
'' during the 1982–83 season. In December 1993 and January 1994, Robertson appeared in two episodes of ''
Harts of the West Harts of the West is a humorous contemporary western about a Chicago family moving to a run-down Nevada ranch. The series consisted of 15 hour-long episodes that aired on CBS Saturdays, 9:00 to 10:00 p.m., from September 1993 until June 1994. ...
'' in the role of Zeke Terrell. During an appearance on ''
The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...
'', Robertson said he was of
Cherokee The Cherokee (; chr, ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯᎢ, translit=Aniyvwiyaʔi or Anigiduwagi, or chr, ᏣᎳᎩ, links=no, translit=Tsalagi) are one of the indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Prior to the 18th century, t ...
ancestry. He joked, "I am the tribe's West Coast distributor." Robertson played a central part in two episodes of ''
Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The series f ...
'' with
Angela Lansbury Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury (October 16, 1925 – October 11, 2022) was an Irish-British and American film, stage, and television actress. Her career spanned eight decades, much of it in the United States, and her work received a great deal ...
but he was not credited in either appearance. He received the
Golden Boot Award Golden means made of, or relating to gold. Golden may also refer to: Places United Kingdom *Golden, in the parish of Probus, Cornwall *Golden Cap, Dorset *Golden Square, Soho, London *Golden Valley, a valley on the River Frome in Gloucestershir ...
in 1985, has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...
, and is also in the
Hall of Great Western Performers The Hall of Great Western Performers is a Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. It is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and sometimes referred to as the "Western Performers Hall of Fame". It is a presentation that explo ...
and the
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, with more than 28,000 American West, Western and Native Americans in the United States, American Indian art works and Artifact (archaeology), ar ...
in Oklahoma City. In 1999, Robertson won the award for film and television from the American Cowboy Culture Association in
Lubbock, Texas Lubbock ( ) is the 10th-most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of government of Lubbock County. With a population of 260,993 in 2021, the city is also the 85th-most populous in the United States. The city is in the northw ...
. In the last few years before his death, Robertson hosted a radio program called ''Little Known Facts'', which was broadcast on 400 radio stations.


Death

In his later years, Robertson and his wife, the former Susan Robbins, whom he married in 1980, had lived on his ranch in
Yukon, Oklahoma Yukon is a city in eastern Canadian County, Oklahoma, Canadian County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Oklahoma City Metroplex, Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 22,709 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. Fo ...
, where it was reported he owned 235 horses at one time, with five mares foaling grand champions. Due to his declining health, he relocated to the
San Diego San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the List of United States cities by population, eigh ...
area in what would be his final months, passing away at
Scripps Memorial Hospital Scripps Health is a nonprofit health care system based in San Diego, California. The system includes five hospitals and 19 outpatient facilities, and treats a half-million patients annually through 2,600 affiliated physicians. The system also inc ...
in
La Jolla, California La Jolla ( , ) is a hilly, seaside neighborhood within the city of San Diego, California, United States, occupying of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean. The population reported in the 2010 census was 46,781. La Jolla is surrounded on ...
, on February 27, 2013, from
lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissue (biology), tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from tran ...
and
pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...
.


TV & Filmography

* ''
The Boy with Green Hair ''The Boy with Green Hair'' is a 1948 American fantasy-drama film in Technicolor directed by Joseph Losey in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Dean Stockwell as Peter, a young war orphan who is subject to ridicule after his hair myste ...
'' (1948) – Cop (uncredited) * '' Flamingo Road'' (1948) – Tunis Simms (uncredited) * ''
The Girl from Jones Beach ''The Girl from Jones Beach'' is a 1949 American comedy film directed by Peter Godfrey (director), Peter Godfrey and written by I. A. L. Diamond. The film stars Ronald Reagan, Virginia Mayo, Eddie Bracken, Dona Drake, Henry Travers and Lois Wilso ...
'' (1949) – Lifeguard (uncredited) * ''
Fighting Man of the Plains ''Fighting Man of the Plains'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Edwin L. Marin. It stars Randolph Scott, Bill Williams, Victor Jory and Jane Nigh. Dale Robertson had his first credited role, playing Jesse James. Plot Jim Dancer ...
'' (1950) – Jesse James * ''
The Cariboo Trail ''The Cariboo Trail'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Edwin L. Marin and starring Randolph Scott. It was the final film appearance of George "Gabby" Hayes. Plot Montanans Jim Redfern and Mike Evans head into Canada's British Colum ...
'' (1950) – Will Gray * ''
Two Flags West ''Two Flags West'' is a 1950 Western drama set during the American Civil War, directed by Robert Wise and starring Joseph Cotten, Jeff Chandler, Linda Darnell, and Cornel Wilde. The opening credits contain the following statement: On December ...
'' (1950) – Lem * ''
Call Me Mister ''Call Me Mister'' is a revue with sketches by Arnold Auerbach and words and music by Harold Rome. The title refers to troops who are happily returning to civilian life and no longer want to be addressed by their military ranks. The Broadway pr ...
'' (1951) – Capt. Johnny Comstock * ''
Take Care of My Little Girl ''Take Care of My Little Girl'' is a 1951 drama film directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Jeanne Crain, Dale Robertson, Mitzi Gaynor and Jean Peters. The film, shot in Technicolor, is based on the 1950 novel of the same name written by Peggy ...
'' (1951) – Joe Blake * ''
The Secret of Convict Lake ''The Secret of Convict Lake'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Michael Gordon and starring Glenn Ford, Gene Tierney, Ethel Barrymore and Zachary Scott. The film was a critical and commercial success. The story is fiction, based on ...
'' (1951) – Narrator (voice, uncredited) * '' Golden Girl'' (1951) – Tom Richmond * ''
Return of the Texan ''Return of the Texan'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Delmer Daves and starring Dale Robertson and Joanne Dru.The Outcasts of Poker Flat "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" (1869) is a short story written by writer of the American West Bret Harte. An example of naturalism and local color of California during the first half of the nineteenth century. The story was first published in Janua ...
'' (1952) – John Oakhurst * ''
Lydia Bailey ''Lydia Bailey'' is a 1952 American historical film directed by Jean Negulesco, based on the novel of the same name by Kenneth Roberts. It stars Dale Robertson and Anne Francis. Plot In 1802, lawyer Albion Hamlin travels from Baltimore to Ca ...
'' (1952) – Albion Hamlin * ''
Lure of the Wilderness ''Lure of the Wilderness'' is a 1952 romantic adventure Technicolor film directed by Jean Negulesco and based on the 1941 novel ''Swamp Water'' by Vereen Bell. The film is a remake of Jean Renoir's 1941 adaption of the novel. Walter Brennan ...
'' (1952) – Opening off-screen Narrator (voice, uncredited) * ''
O. Henry's Full House ''O. Henry's Full House'' is a 1952 American anthology film made by 20th Century Fox, consisting of five films, each based on a story by O. Henry. The film was produced by André Hakim and directed by five directors from five screenplays with di ...
'' (1952) – Barney Woods (segment "The Clarion Call") * ''
The Silver Whip ''The Silver Whip'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Harmon Jones and starring Dale Robertson, Rory Calhoun and Robert Wagner. Plot Cocky young drifter Jess Harker (Robert Wagner) wants to be a driver on the stagecoach's main line, j ...
'' (1953) – Race Crim * ''
The Farmer Takes a Wife ''The Farmer Takes a Wife'' is a 1934 play by Frank B. Elser and Marc Connelly based on the 1929 novel '' Rome Haul'' by Walter D. Edmonds. It was well-received upon its opening night on Broadway on October 30, 1934, at the 46th Street Theatre ...
'' (1953) – Dan Harrow * '' Devil's Canyon'' (1953) – Billy Reynolds * ''
City of Bad Men ''City of Bad Men'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Harmon Jones and starring Jeanne Crain and Dale Robertson. Plot A heavyweight championship fight between "Gentleman Jim" Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons is coming to Carson City, Nev ...
'' (1953) – Brett Stanton * ''
The Gambler From Natchez ''The Gambler from Natchez'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by Henry Levin and starring Dale Robertson and Debra Paget. Plot After four years away from New Orleans, Vance Colby is summoned by his gambler father. On a riverboat, a gam ...
'' (1954) – Capt. Vance Colby * ''
Sitting Bull Sitting Bull ( lkt, Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake ; December 15, 1890) was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance against United States government policies. He was killed by Indian agency police on the Standing Rock I ...
'' (1954) – Major Robert 'Bob' Parrish * '' Top of the World'' (1955) – Maj. Lee Gannon * ''
Son of Sinbad ''Son of Sinbad'' is a 1955 American adventure film directed by Ted Tetzlaff. It takes place in the Middle East and consists of a wide variety of characters, including over 127 women. The film was shot in 1953 and planned to be released in 3D ...
'' (1955) – Sinbad * ''
The Ford Television Theatre ''Ford Theatre'', spelled ''Ford Theater'' for the original radio version and known, in full, as ''The Ford Television Theatre'' for the TV version, is a radio and television anthology series broadcast in the United States in the 1940s and 1950 ...
'' (1956) - Donny Weaver (1 episode, "The Face") * ''
A Day of Fury ''A Day of Fury'' is a 1956 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Harmon Jones and starring Dale Robertson, Mara Corday and Jock Mahoney. Plot A gunslinger named Jagade happens upon a stranger in trouble on the trail and saves his ...
'' (1956) – Jagade * ''
Dakota Incident ''Dakota Incident'' is a 1956 American Trucolor Western (genre), Western film directed by Lewis R. Foster and starring Linda Darnell, Dale Robertson, John Lund (actor), John Lund and Ward Bond. Plot On the run after a bank robbery, Rick Largo c ...
'' (1956) – John Banner * ''
High Terrace ''High Terrace'' is a 1956 black and white British mystery film directed by Henry Cass and starring Dale Robertson, Lois Maxwell, Derek Bond, Eric Pohlmann and Lionel Jeffries. Plot Beautiful fledgeling actress Stephanie Blake (Lois Maxwell) i ...
'' (1956) – Bill Lang * ''
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars ''Schlitz Playhouse of Stars'' is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both comedies and drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The title was shortened to ''Schlitz Playhouse ...
'' (1956) - Jim Hardie (1 episode, ''A Tale of Wells Fargo'') * ''A Tall Trouble'' (1957) – Sheriff Caleb Wells * '' Tales of Wells Fargo'' (1957-1962) - Jim Hardie (all 201 episodes) * ''
Anna of Brooklyn ''Anna of Brooklyn'' ( it, Anna di Brooklyn) is a 1958 French-Italian comedy film directed by Vittorio De Sica and and starring Gina Lollobrigida, De Sica and Amedeo Nazzari. It was shot at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome. The film's sets were de ...
'' (1958) – Raffaele * ''Gunfight at Black Horse Canyon'' (1961, TV movie) – Jim Hardie * '' Law of the Lawless'' (1964) – Judge Clem Rogers * ''
Blood on the Arrow ''Blood on the Arrow'' is a 1964 Western film directed by Sidney Salkow and written by Mark Hanna and starring Dale Robertson and Martha Hyer. The plot is about the sole survivor of an Apache ambush, who rides out to save a young boy who has be ...
'' (1964) – Wade Cooper * '' The Man from Button Willow'' (1965) – Justin Eagle (voice) * ''
Coast of Skeletons ''Coast of Skeletons'' is a 1965 adventure film, directed by Robert Lynn and starring Richard Todd and Dale Robertson. It is a sequel to the 1963 film ''Death Drums Along the River'', and just as that film, it uses the characters from Edgar W ...
'' (1965) – A. J. Magnus * ''
The Hollywood Squares ''Hollywood Squares'' (originally ''The Hollywood Squares'') is an American game show in which two contestants compete in a game of tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The show piloted on NBC in 1965 and the regular series debuted in 1966 on the ...
(1966) - Himself (5 episodes) * ''Scalplock'' (1966, TV movie) – Benjamin Calhoun (a repackaging of the series pilot of ''Iron Horse'') * ''
The One Eyed Soldiers ''The One Eyed Soldiers'' is a 1966 United Kingdom/Yugoslavian/Italian/United States international co-production crime film shot in Yugoslavia that was directed and co-written by John Ainsworth under the name of Jean Christophe. The film, shot ...
'' (1966) – Richard Owen * ''
Iron Horse ''Iron horse'' is an iconic literary term (considered by the early 21st century to be transitioning into an archaic reference) for a steam locomotive, originating in the early 1800s, when horses still powered most machinery. The term was common ...
'' (1966-1968) - Benjamin Calhoun (all 48 episodes) * ''
The Dean Martin Show ''The Dean Martin Show'', not to be confused with the ''Dean Martin Variety Show'' (1959–1960), is a TV variety-comedy series that ran from 1965 to 1974 for 264 episodes. It was broadcast by NBC and hosted by Dean Martin. The theme song to the s ...
'' (1969) - Himself (1 episode) * ''
Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program ...
'' (1969-1970) - Host (26 episodes) * ''East Connection'' (1970) * ''Aru heishi no kake'' (''The Walking Major'', 1970) – Major Clark J. Allen * ''
The Six Million Dollar Man ''The Six Million Dollar Man'' is an American science fiction and action television series, running from 1973 to 1978, about a former astronaut, USAF Colonel Steve Austin, portrayed by Lee Majors. After a NASA test flight accident, Austin is reb ...
''(1974) - Himself (1 episode) * '' Melvin Purvis: G-Man'' (1974, TV movie) - Melvin Purvis * ''
The Kansas City Massacre ''The Kansas City Massacre'' is a 1975 American television film about Melvin Purvis. It is the second spin-off of the 1973 film ''Dillinger'', following '' Melvin Purvis: G-Man'' in 1974, also directed by Dan Curtis and starring Dale Robertson as ...
'' (1975, TV movie) – Melvin Purvis * ''
Fantasy Island ''Fantasy Island'' is an American fantasy drama television series created by Gene Levitt. It aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984. The series starred Ricardo Montalbán as the mysterious Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant, Tattoo. Gu ...
'' (1979) - Peter Dawlings (1 episode) * ''
The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang ''The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang'' is a 1979 American Western (genre), Western television film directed by Dan Curtis about the Dalton Gang. It is not entirely accurate, as noted at the film's beginning. Plot The film follows the story of the ...
'' (1979, TV movie) - Judge
Isaac Charles Parker Isaac Charles Parker (October 15, 1838 – November 17, 1896), also known as “Hanging Judge” Parker, was an American politician and jurist. He served as a United States representative from Missouri and was appointed as the first United State ...
* ''
The Love Boat ''The Love Boat'' is an American romantic comedy/drama television series that aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986; in addition, four three-hour specials aired in 1986, 1987, and 1990. The series was set on the luxury passenger cruise ship MS ''Pac ...
'' (1980) - Mason Fleers (1 episode) * ''
Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A ...
'' (1981) - Walter Lankershim (9 episodes) * ''
Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...
'' (1982) - Frank Crutcher (5 episodes) * ''
The New Hollywood Squares ''Hollywood Squares'' (originally ''The Hollywood Squares'') is an American game show in which two contestants compete in a game of tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The show Television pilot, piloted on NBC in 1965 and the regular series debut ...
'' (1987) - Himself (1 episode) * ''
J.J. Starbuck ''J.J. Starbuck'' is an American crime drama television series that aired on NBC from September 26, 1987, to June 28, 1988. The series follows cornpone-spouting Jerome Jeremiah "J.J." Starbuck, a billionaire Texan who wears ten-gallon hats, cowbo ...
'' (1987-1988) - J.J. Starbuck (all 16 episodes) * ''
Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The series f ...
'' (1988-1989) - Col. Lee Goddard (2 episodes, uncredited) * ''Wind in the Wire'' (1993, TV movie) * ''
Harts of the West Harts of the West is a humorous contemporary western about a Chicago family moving to a run-down Nevada ranch. The series consisted of 15 hour-long episodes that aired on CBS Saturdays, 9:00 to 10:00 p.m., from September 1993 until June 1994. ...
'' (1993-1994) - Zeke (3 episodes, final role)


Radio appearances


References


External links

*
Dale Robertson biographical sketchIMDb entry
for the episode of ''
The Six Million Dollar Man ''The Six Million Dollar Man'' is an American science fiction and action television series, running from 1973 to 1978, about a former astronaut, USAF Colonel Steve Austin, portrayed by Lee Majors. After a NASA test flight accident, Austin is reb ...
'' in which Dale Robertson appeared {{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Dale 1923 births 2013 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male boxers American male film actors American male television actors Classen School of Advanced Studies alumni Deaths from lung cancer Deaths from pneumonia in California Male Western (genre) film actors Male actors from Los Angeles Male actors from Oklahoma Military personnel from Oklahoma People from Oklahoma County, Oklahoma People from Yukon, Oklahoma Ranchers from Oklahoma Recipients of the Silver Star United States Army officers United States Army personnel of World War II United States Army soldiers Western (genre) television actors