Sunday, April 4, 2010

Made Himself A Legend, Forevermore

http://www.retroland.com/retroblog/our-shared-experience/made-himself-a-legend-forevermore/

Made Himself A Legend, Forevermore
By Matt
Mar 18, 2010

Fess Parker, the actor who was the iconic Davy Crockett for a generation of youngsters in the 1950s, died today at the age of 85. Discovered by Walt Disney acting in a minor part in the giant ants b-movie “Them,” the six and a half foot tall Parker was selected over leading man James Arness for the role of the legendary frontiersman. Fess Parker’s trademark coonskin cap helped inspire a nationwide craze in furry headgear for thousands of youngsters.

Parker’s Davy Crockett had a disproportionate impact on popular culture: only five episodes were filmed for the “Disneyland” anthology show. Parker’s turn as another icon of American lore, Daniel Boone, lasted much longer — over 160 episodes. But Parker’s acting career wasn’t restricted to coonskin-cap wearin’ heroes. He was a mainstay of early television, including reprising Jimmy Stewart’s titular role in the “Mister Smith Goes To Washington” series that picked up where the movie left off. Parker left entertainment in the early seventies. After a successful real estate career, Parker and his wife Marcella ran an award-winning winery.

Fess Parker’s impact on twentieth century pop culture can’t be underestimated.

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