Richard Boone American actor Date of Birth: 18.06.1917 Country: Portugal

1. Richard Boone: The Legendary American Actor
2. Early Life and Education
3. Early Career
4. Rise to Fame
5. Television Success
6. Later Career and Legacy
7. Personal Life and Legacy

Richard Boone: The Legendary American Actor

Richard Boone was an American actor who gained fame for his portrayal of more than 50 leading roles throughout his career. He became particularly renowned for his performances in various westerns, with one of his most famous roles being in the television series 'Have Gun – Will Travel'.

Early Life and Education

Boone was born in Los Angeles, California, as the middle son of corporate lawyer Kirk E. Boone and his wife Cecile. His father was a descendant of the legendary American pioneer Daniel Boone, while his mother came from a family of Russian Jews. Boone completed his schooling in Glendale, California, and attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, but did not finish his education.

Early Career

After leaving college, Boone tried his hand at various occupations including bartending, painting, writing, and oil drilling. In 1941, he joined the US Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II, even participating in combat. After the war, Boone used his G.I. Bill benefits to enroll in the Actors Studio in New York.

Rise to Fame

Boone made his Broadway debut in 1947 in the play 'Medea', and soon after began actively working in films. His breakthrough came when director Elia Kazan used Boone as a prompter during an audition. While the actress who auditioned did not impress, Boone caught Kazan's attention. He was subsequently invited to Hollywood where he signed a seven-year contract with Fox. Boone made his big-screen debut in 1950 in the film 'Halls of Montezuma' and met Jack Webb, who later became the producer and lead actor of the series 'Dragnet'.

Television Success

From 1954 to 1956, Boone starred in the series 'Medic', which earned him a nomination for Best Actor in a Regular Series at the Emmy Awards. However, his greatest fame came from his role as an intelligent yet tough mercenary in the series 'Have Gun – Will Travel', which aired from 1957 to 1963. Boone received two additional Emmy nominations for his performance in the show.

Later Career and Legacy

Boone went on to star in three films alongside John Wayne: 'The Alamo', 'Big Jake', and 'The Shootist'. In 1963, he had his own television anthology series called 'The Richard Boone Show', which lasted for only a year but earned him a fourth Emmy nomination. After the cancellation of the show, Boone moved with his family to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he convinced Leonard Freeman to film 'Hawaii Five-O' exclusively in Hawaii. However, Boone declined an offer to join the project. He later settled in Florida in 1970.

Personal Life and Legacy

Richard Boone passed away in 1981 from pneumonia, a complication of throat cancer. His ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean. Boone's contributions to film and television have solidified his status as a legendary American actor.