Entertainment Tonight - on the Death of Chuck Connors, 1992

[jeffrey19621]

Branded was not even mentioned .

[globehunter2]

This was a era when morality and honor plus self respect was portrayed

on TV, not the vulgar sex soaked garbage of today.

[endoftheline76]

Don't talk shit about The Rifleman he is the shit!

[rayjr62]

@endoftheline76 Agreed. And he was the consummate gentleman as well. Chuck carried himself with grace and class.

[delavalmilker]

Chuck was an actor with such a wide range of capabilities. Not only Westerns, but I remember him for his role in the Sci-Fi film "Soylent Green"; where he had a hard time getting himself to punch Charlton Heston's character in the film. "I can't hit Moses!" he is alleged to have said.

[MegaROBBIE1955]

i remember him in branded...does anyone else?

[presicion25]

@MegaROBBIE1955 ive heard of Branded but i Ive never gotten to see it. Ive only ever been able to get ahold of a dvd set of 80 episodes of the Rifleman which is only about half the show. Branded didnt last as long im assuming.

[BluesInMySoul]

@presicion25 ME-TV plays the Rifleman twice a night Monday through Saturday. It plays Branded! every Saturday.

[funnygal200]

God Bless Chuck Connors, gone but never forgotten.

[714AD]

A true winner in many different phases of life. The Rifleman is still great today and I believe he did another TV show called Branded in the 60's & also guest starred as a farm boy type Superman in the 50's.

[crow672008]

I love the rifleman and branded and the werewolf series

[TAKEOFF10]

I STILL WATCH THE RIFLEMAN......

[barrygioportmorien1]

The Rifleman series still stands up well today, they were a great pair Chuck and Johnny Crawford, it showed a wonderful relationship between a boy and his dad. I have now introduced my Grandsons to the Rifleman, thanks to video.

[barztool]

I loved the Rifleman as a kid. One of my favorite roles of Chuck Connors' was Buck Hannassey in the movie "The Big Country".

[Kaurenrules]

Im related to chuck connors swear to god not even lying he is my poppops cousin i never got to meet him though. :(

[opie12345654]

@Kaurenrules Poppops? WTF?

[Kaurenrules]

@opie12345654 Ya. Pop-Pop, thats what i call my grandpa you got a promblem dumb fuck i'll kick your ass im a black belt in taekwondo and what are you a fat slobbery pig?

[opie12345654]

@Kaurenrules If I called my wife sugar-pooopy, I wouldn't refer to her as such on a public forum where nobody knows what the hell I'm talking about. In the future you would be well advised to say "he is my grandpa" to avoid sounding like a 2 year old. BTW, it is impossible to kick anyone's ass by typing on your keyboard. This is a comments section, not a parking lot at the bar, although I'll have trouble sleeping tonight knowing I've been cyber-threatened by Jackie Chan.

[Kaurenrules]

@opie12345654 LOOK IT UP IT'S A WELL KNOWN NAME TO CALL A GRANDFATHER AND WHAT THE FUCK, SUGAR POOPY THATS FUCKING RETARTED IM 12 YEARS OLD BY THE WAY AND A GIRL SO IS THIS HOW YOU TREAT WOMEN AND CHILDREN? WHY DONT YOU GROW UP AND GET A LIFE I FEEL SO BAD FOR THE POOR WOMEN MARRIED TO A DISGRACE TO THE HUMAN RACE

[videozfann]

No mention of Werewolf, damn, that was awesome villain role he played.

[pardyhardly]

 I'll bet he used trollops

[sivazh]

They didn't mention his most awesome role, The Sarge in Airplane!

[videozfann]

@sivazh Or his most badass role as Skorzeny is Werewolf.

[bubblinbrownsugar616]

I guess I"m the oddball with this. I can't get the image of him out my head as the Master in Roots.

[mississchic]

I'm 33 years old (December 2011) and this is my favorite show. Chuck Connors was the man! And Johnny Crawford, was a great actor.

[arnebarnard]

Sly Stallone on POLICE STORY and he insists on being called "Rocky"?

Great stuff!

Remeber when Mr Connors guested on SUPERMAN?

[ladycharsw]

I am ayoung senior, and i love the Rifleman, with his son Mark,(Johnny Crawford. I wish I could have met him and Johnny.

[eric6344]

Chuck Conners also known as the chin or the ol glass jaw as the use to call him in Hollywood. I must correct E.T. though. Chuck Conners never did get cornhole-ed.

[monsoon520CP]

Chuck connors= My hero!

[HoBowithaSemiShotgun]

EPIC when did he play for boston? dat must have been a "whites only" era in da NBA

[glorybra]

@HoBowithaSemiShotgun It was 'whites only' except for Red Auebach and the Celtics.

[tubesteakbooky]

@glorybra what about the one with Sammy Davis Junior?

[glorybra]

@tubesteakbooky That was a great episode! Sammy as 'Cookie', the fastest gun around who never could shoot anyone.

[BluesInMySoul]

@tubesteakbooky there were actually TWO with Sammy. I have them both.

[cherokeetrace]

@BluesInMySoul Thought you'd like to know, Arvo Ojala was the top gun coach during the height of the TV Western boom in the 50s and 60s, training everybody from James Arness to James Garner in the fast draw. In fact that's Ojala that was gun downed by Matt Dillion at the beginning of every GUNSMOKE . Ojala stated in an interview that " one of my most enthusiastic and astute disciples at gun handling and quick drawing was the late singer and actor Sammy Davis Jr."

[fredfungalspore]

seems like a nice guy 

[dewerbylhserf]

Mr. Connors, You are the BEST TV DAD, GOD Bless

[Rusty2238]

I also grew up watching all these great western shows. It makes me sad that there isn't anymore western on tv anymore. All we have now is junk shows. Shows that make normal people rich and famous without have to learn how to act.

[2010metsfan]

A great man and actor. I still watch it everytime it's on!

[witchman1]

What a man!

[Kaurenrules]

@RepublicansRule1000 of course he is! my whole family is were realated he was my Pop Pops cousin :D

[madisonelectronic]

Ever see John Wayne in True Grit cock that rifle? Guess who taught him. hehhehheh Wayne said he was covered with bruises for weeks.

[vividwatch47]

@madisonelectronic, John Wayne used a rifle similar to the one on "The Rifleman" in "Stagecoach" 19 years BEFORE "The RIfleman"!

[Nashcountryboy]

I still watch the Rifleman, faithfully, even today!  I had forgotten just how good John Tesh was in the anchor chair of Entertainment Tonight.

[vicvod]

I was 7 years old when the Rifleman debuted, and from the first time I saw that rifle I was hooked. Not just the look, but the sound of that thing still gets to me today as I watch the reruns. Everything about the show was well done from the cinematography, to the sets. I still love this show and the one and only Badass with morals Lucas McCain. Both he and Johnny had something special between them. The list of guest stars is impressive also. One of the best shows ever.

[SufferInJuly]

I feel that bread-stuffs: cereals, pastas, cakes, hardtack & the like, should be of our diet, additionally and expressly: brown rice, broad-leaf grasses and the seeds of common fruit (save citrus) are necessary in checking errant placental growth outside of the uterus. To be precise: superfluous placental growth beyond the confines of the womb (excepting ectopic pregnancy, of course) is CANCER!

[madisonelectronic]

@SufferInJuly Eat shit, it's organic.

[nickellicker]

By the way, an R.I.P. to James Arness. June 3, 2011...

[nickellicker]

No offense to James Arness fans, but I believe Chuck Connors could have easily portrayed the role of Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke." It's a mute point now, but it would have been interesting...

[CBSEye]

This was such a sad event, the Day Chuck Connors Died. I thought that the Rifelman was indestructable. He looked so well only months before he passed away in the interview with Leonard. But the legend lives on thanks to AMC rerunning the entire series. Chuck you will always be missed by your fans.

[imcdownsound]

Thanks for this.I was trying to remember when he left us.Check out his great biography,"Chuck Connors:The Man Behind The Rifle" by David Fury.

[okdriver58]

Chuck Conners the first college basketball player to shatter a backbord he was great as an athelete and as an acter. I wonder where that rifle is he used in the Rifleman?

[icandoitdon01]

@okdriver58 the rifle is in the national firearms museum. see the video "chuck connors' winchester" for the story....

[lilton25]

i have a huge man crush for lucas mccain.

[therealjoebloggs]

It is a tribute to the man that his son, Laurence Fishburne, followed in his father's footsteps...

[ohsnapitsme59]

Now, all I can think of when I see John Tesh is the vision of him dating Oprah!

[MisterMasterShafter1]

RIP Mr. Connors. One of my childhood western heroes, along with Marshal Dillon and Paladin. They still are to this day. What pisses me off to this day was that I unknowingly had a chance to meet Chuck Connors and turned the chance down because I had no idea he would have been sitting right friggin next to me at the baseball game my brothers went to, which I declined going to. They talked to him all night.

[howardale1]

Thanks for posting this!

[cannonball251]

I'm 48 now. When I was 8 to 10, I believe, I watch the rifleman whenever possible. I miss it, along with Adam12 and emergency.

[hithr3000]

He seemed very cool... i just saw him in 'tourist trap.'

[angelholley12222222]

Haha my last comment had to be mushed together so I could say everything :)

[angelholley12222222]

Hey, I'm 14 year old, and When we just got a new TV 6 months ago, and the first channel that my family watched on it was the Retro TV chennel, they play The Rifleman That first day, I fell in love with it, my first thought was oh great another lame oldie show, but in toward the middle I though Wow this show is amazing! and now they play it on Sundays and Saturdays and know what, I HAVEN't MISSED ONE SHOW :D I love it, its sadthatChuckConnorsdied,evenif­itwasbeforeIwasbornheisstillmy­favoriteactor

[lastrada52]

Back in the 50's baby boomers had two major heroes -- Superman (George Reeves) and The Rifleman -- Lucas McCain (Chuck Conners). My son was named Lucas -- after this hero. Today at 24 he tells me he is proud to be named after such a powerful and endearing person. A character only made bigger than life by Chuck Conners.

[videoholic90sA]

@lastrada52 You're absolutely right about the two 1950s heroes...they were mine, too! Very nice story about your son, thanks for sharing! We need more heroes today!!!!

[romeedee]

@lastrada52 Even us Gen X'ers can appreciate the value of heroes like Lucas McCain (and my fave, Marshall Matt Dillon). Where the heck have all the positive role models gone?

[blueticecho]

@lastrada52 And please don't ever forget the man in black Mr. Guy Williams... ( ZORRO )

[lastrada52]

@blueticecho -- ABSOLUTELY right blueticecho. Yes. My mistake. Thanks for reminding me. Guy Williams was right up there with Chuck Conners and George Reeves in the 50's. How could I forget? I was Zorro one Halloween followed by being Superman. There were many heroes from that era -- it's just that these seem to be the most original ones that have become part of the culture. Thanks for correcting this oversight.

[MrBUTTERBEAN420]

Why did they not mention the GAY PORN he did back in the late 60s

[robharding1957]

a true giant of the cowboy shows ,,we all like to remember him by,,the rifleman is part of western folklore,,

[poughkeepsiejohn1]

How come they never mentioned that other series he did, "The Thrillseekers"? That was good.

[wdd3141]

After "The Rifleman" he starred in "other series" and movies. How dismissively those "other series" are regarded by the announcer. They included "Branded," about a cavalry soldier who was the only survivor of his unit's last battle only to be thought a deserter and dishonorably discharged, and "Cowboy in Africa," about the "world's greatest cowboy" enlisted to lassoo and catch African wildlife for relocation (though this last one probably took advantage of his stereotyping).

[ToofbrushSalesman]

As with many others who watched the Rifleman as youngster I too still love to watch the reruns No one could ever replace Chuck would like to see Dolph Lundgren do a Rifleman Series I know most of us older generation would love it and perhaps it might stir some interest for the younger generation in westerns always my favorites growing up, the younger generation now has NO heroes like we did when we were kids. Thanks Chuck for what you gave us, you will always be remembered and never forgotten..

[Bridagierz]

Chuck Connors > Chuck Norris

[MrEmmaclaps]

All the more reason to love him. Nothing like a strong conservitve with a rifle.

[wgr88]

The Rifleman the best western on TV i really loved that show Chuck will be missed Hope he did know Jesus before he died. 

[imyy4upeople]

Just a note, Chuck played for the Dodgers and Cubs along wit hthe basketball team Celtics. He also was in canada for a while with the Montreal Royale's baseball team which jackie Robinson played for too. Chuck saw a beautiful women in Montreal and she liked him for sure. They married and then he returned to the USA for acting roles later on.

[peterwatsonkent]

so your saying he was Branded

[Masmosaic1]

Believe it or not, he was the FIRST person to dunk a basketball and break the backboard while playing for the Celtics in an official game; November 6, 1946.!

[mitchrmp]

Thanks for posting this! It makes me cry!

[annahudson76]

I thought the rifleman was the most handsome tough but nice guy my first crush and i still watch the rifleman and think hes so hot yet to this day LOL

[radiodj1520]

I Believe This Was A Video Clip Of Entertainment Tonight's Report On The Death Of Chuck Connors On November 11, 1992.

[usmale9112001]

I used to watch the Rifleman when I was 4 years old, now I'm 49 and I watch it every night on RTV.

[Hornel66]

Best Show Ever

[trankuser9]

Captain Skorzeny

[cmsandusky]

I watch reruns of the Rifleman everyday. It comes on channel 40 Indianapolis at 4:30..in fact..JUST got done watching it!!

Great show and a class act!!

[cmsandusky]

I watch reruns of the Riflemaneveryday. It comes on channel 40 Indianapolis at 4:30..in fact..JUST got done watching it!!

Great show and a class act!!

[briezy1139]

This guy was better than clint eastwood

[dixieleeify]

I really miss the rifleman. That I still watch the Rifleman on the internet. It is a really great t.v. show. I wish Chuck Conners was still here today. This is one of my favorite actors I love. The man was really a good actor and loved his role in the Rifleman. R.I.P. Chuck Conners. Your a really great man, that is still greatlly missed by many people who love watching you on t.v. That I started watching the Rifleman when i was only 15 years old and still watch it today. He's really a good man.

[cutiec80]

Chuck Connors also played Tom Moore in Roots. He was the one of the white men who love sleeping with black slaves women and he was Chicken George father.

[cheyenne86]

Just loved this man. and as everyone says always the rifleman too me.

[whiskeyify]

I read that in real life he was tough as nails, I think that's why he was so he was so good in that role.

[jdh023]

I can add nothing that all the generous people posting here already haven't. We all loved this TV show and the characters involved. Great stories with great morals. RIP Mr. Connors. You are missed.

[blkchk]

Chuck Connors was one sexy man! We loved him in my house, ESPECIALLY The Rifleman opening. Very cool. RIP

[pigletrocks222]

I love my cousin

[Kaurenrules]

@pigletrocks222 hes ur cousin?

[TheBabyboomkidof53]

rifleman is still better then 99&9/10 percent of anything on tv today! all the old shows are. glad I can still see most right here on youtube.

[Gaspipenicklioni]

Man at his very best is but a vapor.

[umajunkcollector]

I watched it when I was a kid, and still watch it on DirecTV.

btw, he shot that Winchester 12 times at the beginning of the show.

[holmes1978]

Legend !

[crispycritterz]

A man is given a name, with that name he can earn respect. With that respect he can become a legend. When Chuck brought life to the Lucas McCain, they both became legends.

Flight of Angels, Chuck.

[sofabulos]

poor chuck connors. he was so nice.

[sm9847]

This was one, if not THE favorite show, in the 50's and early 60's. Even to the point of watching Johnny Crawford grow up on screen.

Got to meet him and Johnny Crawford at the Oklahoma State Fair. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was there to meet him. A lot of people wanted to see him shoot his rifle, but he wouldn't.

They were a class act. His character that made him famous was the last he got to play. How fitting.

[micmoable]

Isn't it weird that chuck used a 1892 rifle and died in 1992!------he will be missed---thank goodness for the show he was famous for THE RIFLEMAN----I still watch it RIP CHUCK!

[JubalCalif]

What a heartwarming tribute! THANK YOU very much for posting it! Chuck Connors was SUCH a charismatic actor. He is sorely missed.

[videoholic90sA]

And, I met him only a few months before he passed away...at a trade show in Las Vegas....even have an 8 x 10 glossy autographed pic from him!

[JubalCalif]

@videoholic90sA

Heavens to Lucas McCain! How groovy that you not only met the late great Chuck but also got an autographed photo! Good for you! THANKS so much for your comment. You've MADE my day & my weekend! :)

[videoholic90sA]

Cool! Thanks for writing!!!

[micmoable]

@videoholic90sA THAT'S A TREASURE!

[1962mikie]

@videoholic90sA -i once outdrew the rifleman in an Quick-draw competetion in Ft.worhth,Texas. him, john wayne and sammy davis junior all failed to beat the six-gun ..but afterwards we all went to the cattlemens convention in cowtown and believe me these men draw a crowd instantly and i could no longer hang out with them for lack of space and being over-run by fans and camera's and all......live on rifelman and we will meet in the Sky someday!!dgreat spirit bless you all!!!!Chow-Jesse longbow..

[thecuckookid]

@JubalCalif Did you know the Chuck was an extreme right winger and admired Richard Nixon? That spoiled it for me.

[JubalCalif]

@thecuckookid

Thank you for your comment. No, I didn't know that about the late great Mr Connors. Well, I don't agree with the political stances of a LOT of actors & actressess that I admire or have admired. I try to keep their political views separate from their talents. But I respect the rights of those who may disagree with my view. That's what this wonderful country of ours is all about: free speech & with each person (hopefully) respectfully disagreeing with each other.

[COYOTE165A]

@JubalCalif people forget that Chuck also played Professional Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers for some time also.? RIP Chuck you are sadly missed by all of your fans.

[JubalCalif]

@COYOTE165A

I second that emotion, Coyote! Mr Conners is indeed sorely and sadly missed today. And yes, he was not only a gifted actor but a gifted athlete who excelled in a wide variety of sports. THANKS for your comment! :)

[hookalakah]

Gee--an entertainment news show that wasn't obsessed with spreading dirt and wallowing in controversy. Seems like a hundred years ago.

[Denise9482]

to paladin520, i also watched Flipper the other night. i saw that movie as a child at the Alabama theater in my hometown of Birmingham. It was awesome!!!

[cathode1990]

@Denise9482 yes i watched it also-- very entertaining movie-- Ii hadn't seen it before! Guess we have a Flipper blog going

[Denise9482]

As a child I loved to watch the Rifleman. CC was a good father, friend and hero in this show. But other than that, my favorite role he played was in the movie The Big Country with Gregory Peck and Burl Ives. He played a bad guy role as Buck Hennesy, Burl Ives son. I think Burl Ives won an academy award as best supporting actor for this movie. It was a great movie with Charlton Heston in it also. Denise9482

[paladin520]

I was watching FLIPPER the other night on TCM. I was sad to think that a) Chuck's gone and b) oil is washing up on the beaches portrayed in the film. (spring + summer 2010) Thanks for nothing BP!!!

[river2walk]

Another of the old western actors gone for ever.....but the surprising this is that Chuck Connors was not a bigger star than he was and it's hard to understand how he never really made it big in the movies..........maybe he came in as the great age of the westerns was coming to an end and was just too late for roles he would have got some years earlier..........but as Lucas McCain and his fantastic 'machine rifle' Chuck Connors will never be forgotten.

[JuanMacready]

@river2walk He was only a mediocre actor.

[2010metsfan]

As of 5/08/10 you can watch The Rifleman on WHT, channel 367 on Direct TV. Airing two episodes from 4- 5pm Central.

One of my favorites period!

[mrspatrickcampbell]

Are there nude photos of Chuck? We have heard many 'sizemeat' rumors!

[cathode1990]

@mrspatrickcampbell  you crack me up

[buckracer]

John Tesh!!!

[weldon0m]

i remember chuck in a tv series about stunt men etc here in new zealand....in the seventies....he was so cool.....i looked up to him and still do....

im 44 now and wish these guys were still with us ...when men were men....you know what i mean.....RIP chuck c....we miss ya mate...

[54nomore]

Played baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. And basketball for the Boston Celtics. And had numerous appearances in movies. And had 2 hit television shows 1.The rifleman 2.Branded. I take his life any day! We miss you Chuck Connors....

[upperdarbybill]

@54nomore I have to correct you. Please don't take offence for am a BIG CHUCK fan too. It was the Dodgers farm team (Montreal) when Dodgers were still in Chuck's hometown of Brooklyn. He struck-out in his only major appearance for Brooklyn. Yea I regret not looking him up in my travlin' days. I miss him too.

[dcbornmike]

Chuck Connors..loved him and Johnny Crawford in the Rifleman. He is missed...

[nomiclas]

what a great guy!

[srp960]

He played for the Boston Celtics, NBA baseball team.

[TheWalker96]

hail yeah the rifleman is an awesome show. do you know what channel it comes on dish network? chuck connors is one of my favorite actors

[Nashcountryboy]

And the Rifleman is still on and popular even now 50 years later.

Gee, I always liked John Tesh on Entertainment Tonight..............Kinda miss him.