According to his publicist, Fess Parker has died at the age of 85. Parker began his show-business career by summer 1951 when he had a $32-a-week job as an extra in the play Mister Roberts. Parker then became a contract player with Warner Brothers appearing in small roles in several films such as Springfield Rifle (1952), Island in the Sky, The Bounty Hunter and Battle Cry. In 1954, he appeared as Grat Dalton in the Jim Davis western anthology Stories of the Century in the episode The Dalton Brothers. Parker also had a small scene in the movie Them! Walt Disney was so impressed by Parker's portrayal of a man who was unswerving in his belief in what he saw despite the forces of authority against him, that he would star in the Walt Disney’s Davey Crockett. Disney's portrayal of Crockett in three episodes depicted his exploits as frontiersman, congressman, and tragic hero of the Alamo, in what has been called the first television miniseries, though the term had not yet been coined. Davy Crockett was a tremendous hit with children, and led to a merchandising frenzy for coonskin caps and all things Crockett. Parker then became a contract star for Disney appearing in many films such as The Great Locomotive Chase, Old Yeller, and Westward Ho, The Wagons!.
In the 60s, Parker played another historical figure when he took on the role of Daniel Boone. Over its six years (1964 to 1970) Daniel Boone became one of the highest rated shows of its time, Parker was not only the star of the series but also the co-producer and director of five of its most popular episodes.
For his work with Disney, Parker was honored in December 2004 with his own tribute window on a facade in the Frontierland section of Disneyland.
Parker married Marcella Belle Rinehart on January 18, 1960. They had two children — Fess Elisha III and Ashley Allen Rinehart — along with 11 grandchildren and a great-grandson. He died at age 85, of natural causes according to a spokesperson, at his home in Santa Ynez, California, near the Fess Parker Winery on March 18, 2010.[1] His death came on his wife's 84th birthday.
In the 60s, Parker played another historical figure when he took on the role of Daniel Boone. Over its six years (1964 to 1970) Daniel Boone became one of the highest rated shows of its time, Parker was not only the star of the series but also the co-producer and director of five of its most popular episodes.
For his work with Disney, Parker was honored in December 2004 with his own tribute window on a facade in the Frontierland section of Disneyland.
Parker married Marcella Belle Rinehart on January 18, 1960. They had two children — Fess Elisha III and Ashley Allen Rinehart — along with 11 grandchildren and a great-grandson. He died at age 85, of natural causes according to a spokesperson, at his home in Santa Ynez, California, near the Fess Parker Winery on March 18, 2010.[1] His death came on his wife's 84th birthday.
STATEMENT BY ROBERT A. IGER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, ON THE PASSING OF FESS PARKER
"Like many kids growing up in the 50's, Davy Crockett was my first hero, and I had the coonskin cap to prove it. Fess Parker's unforgettable, exciting and admirable performance as this American icon has remained with me all these years, as it has for his millions of fans around the world. Fess is truly a Disney Legend, as is the heroic character he portrayed, and while he will certainly be missed, he will never be forgotten."
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"Like many kids growing up in the 50's, Davy Crockett was my first hero, and I had the coonskin cap to prove it. Fess Parker's unforgettable, exciting and admirable performance as this American icon has remained with me all these years, as it has for his millions of fans around the world. Fess is truly a Disney Legend, as is the heroic character he portrayed, and while he will certainly be missed, he will never be forgotten."
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