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Fess ParkerAmerican film and television actor
Date of Birth: 16.08.1924
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Fess Parker
- Education and Early Acting Career
- Breakthrough Role and Disney Stardom
- Later Career and Entrepreneurship
- Later Years and Legacy
Biography of Fess Parker
Early Life and Military ServiceFess Elisha Parker Jr. was born on August 16, 1924, in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up on a farm near San Angelo, Texas. During the final years of World War II, Parker served in the United States Navy with hopes of becoming a pilot. However, due to his height of 6'6" (198 cm), he was deemed too tall. He then attempted to become a radio operator but was again disqualified for being too large to fit in the rear cabin. Eventually, Parker was transferred to the United States Marine Corps and deployed to the South Pacific shortly before the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan, effectively ending the war. He was demobilized in 1946.
Education and Early Acting Career
Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Parker enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history. Unfortunately, his time at the university was marred by an altercation with a drunk driver, resulting in a knife wound to his chin. This incident prevented him from participating in sports, but he became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. In 1950, Parker graduated with a bachelor's degree in history. He then pursued a master's degree in theater history at the University of Southern California, which was funded by his military benefits.
Parker began his acting career in the summer of 1951 when he landed a job as an extra in the play "Mister Roberts" for $32 a week. He is also credited with providing the voice for Leslie the chauffeur in the comedy film "Harvey" (1950). He spent several months as an extra on the set of the western film "Untamed Frontier" (1952) starring Joseph Cotten and Shelley Winters. After appearing in various small roles, Parker signed a contract with Warner Brothers, leading to roles in films such as "Springfield Rifle" (1952), "Island in the Sky" (1953), "The Bounty Hunter" (1954), and "Battle Cry" (1955).
Breakthrough Role and Disney Stardom
According to Parker, when Walt Disney Company was searching for an actor to portray Davy Crockett, they initially wanted to cast James Arness. However, Parker's contract had expired, but his agent insisted that he play a small role as a pilot who ends up in a mental asylum in the science fiction film "Them!" (1954), in which Arness also had a larger role. When Walt Disney came to see Arness, he saw Parker instead. Within a few weeks, Parker landed the role that would make him famous. His portrayal of Davy Crockett, one of America's first national heroes, brought the character back to life, and sales of the iconic coonskin caps soared. Parker signed a contract with Disney and became a star of the company, appearing in numerous popular films and television shows, including "The Great Locomotive Chase" (1956) and "Old Yeller" (1957). He also performed on stage, playing Curly in the famous musical "Oklahoma!"
Later Career and Entrepreneurship
From 1964 to 1970, Parker portrayed Daniel Boone, another historical figure from the era of Western expansion, and the series consistently achieved high ratings throughout its run. In the 1970s, after a short-lived sitcom called "The Fess Parker Show" (1974), Parker declined further offers from producers, left the film industry, and pursued entrepreneurship. He became the owner of vineyards and a winery. In the 1960s, Parker married Marcella Belle Rinehart, and they had two sons.
Later Years and Legacy
Fess Parker passed away on March 18, 2010, at the age of 85, in his home in Santa Ynez, California. He left behind a lasting legacy as a beloved American actor who brought iconic characters to life and became a successful entrepreneur in the wine industry.
