Fess Parker
Actor
About This Interview
Fess Parker (1924-2010) was interviewed for two-and-a-half hours at his inn in Los Olivos, CA. Mr. Parker talked about his childhood in Texas and his eventual journey to Hollywood after visiting there during his military service in World War II. He discussed his early roles in filmed westerns and his early television roles including Dragnet and Annie Oakley. In 1954, he was hired by Disney to play the lead in Davy Crockett, a limited series. The program was so popular, and spawned such a merchandising craze, that Parker's Crockett was brought back for two more limited series. After the series ended, Parker worked on many other series as a guest star, before launching into the short lived 1962 series, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. In 1964, Parker triumphed as the lead in (and occasional director of) the series, Daniel Boone, which ran for six years. With his success with Daniel Boone , Parker semi-retired and acquired real estate, resorts and wineries. The interview was conducted by Don Carleton on July 24, 2000.
Related To This Video
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Video Clip: Embeddable video clip of Fess Parker on his advice to aspiring actors
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Highlights
Fess Parker on his advice to actors, and how he would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 00:06, Duration: 02m 18s
Fess Parker on starring in Daniel Boone
Clip begins at: 11:04, Duration: 12m 13s
Fess Parker on his early TV appearance on an episode of Dragnet
Clip begins at: 11:49, Duration: 01m 52s- Fess Parker on meeting Walt Disney and being cast in Davy Crockett
Clip begins at: 14:31, Duration: 08m 32s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his early years and influences; on his education and military service; on starting his acting career
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 2
- On beginning his acting career; on getting cast and starring in Davy Crockett
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 3
- On starring in Davy Crockett (cont.)
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 4
- On the merchandising of Davy Crockett
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 5
- On the merchandising of Davy Crockett, his work on My Little Margie , and live television.
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 6
- On various television roles; on starring in Daniel Boone
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 7
- On his retirement, hotel ownership, advice to aspring actors, and fan mail
Clip begins at: 0:0
Shows
People
They've got to give Ed Ames an archive interview soon.
This make me think of another thing he said about Blair. He said there were not alot of love scenes in the show because they played a ``settle, married couple`` but when they did they many time just eaten those super brakefeast sandwidhs with eggs, ham, oignions ... And of course Pat Blair didn't like that. So then each time I watch Daniel Boone and that there's a love scene, I can't help thinking of Fess/Dan breath!
Kinda cut what he says about Pat Blair.
Walt Disney saw him in the movie THEM and from there got him to come in for an interview for his TV series he was working on at the time---Davy Crockett---
Bacana!! Aqui no Brasil a série Daniel Boone com Fess Parker fez muito sucesso na década de 1970.
Rest in Peace sir.
Excellent Naomi.
Lloyd
5 *******
bye daniell boone por siempre estaras en nuestros corazones gran actor fess parker good bye forever
Great actor, I watched Daniel Boone all mornings here in Brazil!
My 2nd grade school picture had me wearing my Davy Crocktt T shirt. They wouldn't let me wear my coonskin cap.
@4freespeech Are you serious? He was 6'7"?
Thank you TVLEGENDS !
assiti muito esse grande personagem da tv grande daniel boone.
Not only a great actor but a wonderful man that, along with his wife Marcy raised a beautiful family. One of a kind and one of the last heroes of my generation. My favorite two shows were the Daniel Boone Show and Bonanza... it's sad that not many from those series are left with us. Ed Ames is still going strong and still sounds great with his wonderful singing voice... check him out here on YT... Mingo is still a great singer!
Thank You Fess for being part of my childhood. Rest in Peace while waiting for the rest of us in the beyond since: March 18 2010
Can't hear Fess --
Bless his family, I hope they help keep his memory alive for the public.
fess was the last of the tradtional TV actor's,
wholesome, personable, traditional value's,
Thanks for the childhood memories Mr. Parker.
You are a Legend.
"BANG" goes old Betsy....
My only gun is Betsy.
I can travel far and wide
With Betsy by my side."
Fess Parker......Legend.
Always remember you, Fess Parker.
icon of Americana...
inesquecílvel!!!!! fez parte da minha infãncia!!!
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