Skip to main content


Cowboy actor Dale Robertson dies at the age of 89

Co-hosted 'Death Valley Days' with Ronald Reagan in the 1960s

A native of Oklahoma and with rugged, good looks, cowboy star Dale Robertson was discovered by a Hollywood talent scout when his picture was placed in photo shop's display window. Robertson was no stranger to horses, and so he was pushed to appear in westerns. Robertson has passed away at the age of 89.

Acting in several uncredited movie roles in 1948 after he left the Army, Dale Robertson landed the plum role of outlaw Jesse James in 'Fighting Man of the Plains' in 1949.

Acting in several uncredited movie roles in 1948 after he left the Army, Dale Robertson landed the plum role of outlaw Jesse James in 'Fighting Man of the Plains' in 1949.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Death came quickly to the star. Robertson was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer days ago while being treated for pneumonia at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California. "He always said he lived two or three lifetimes," his wife Susan Robertson said. "He was in Hollywood when it was great."
 
Stationed at an Army post in California, according to his official biography, the talent scout who first saw his photo encouraged him to try his hand at acting. He was warned away from formal acting training, based on advice that he should keep his own personality.
 
Acting in several uncredited movie roles in 1948 after he left the Army, Robertson landed the plum role of outlaw Jesse James in "Fighting Man of the Plains" in 1949.

Robertson also starred in the TV Western series "Tales of Wells Fargo" from 1957 through 1962, riding a horse named Jubilee. Robertson played a character who won a railway in a high-stakes poker game in the 1966 TV series "Iron Horse."

Robertson also co-hosted, along with Ronald Reagan, episodes of "Death Valley Days" during the 1960s.

Robertson acted chiefly in westerns, included "Devil's Canyon," "Sitting Bull," and "Dakota Incident."

In the 1980s, Robertson was a regular on the first season of "Dynasty," and acted in episodes of "The Love Boat," "Murder, She Wrote" and "Dallas." His last role came in two episodes of the TV series "Harts of the West" in 1993.

As Robertson lied dying in a hospital bed, his wife comforted him by whispering thoughts of what awaited him in the afterlife.

"I told him that Jubilee and Chief (his favorite dog) would be waiting to greet him," his wife told CNN.

The final 15 years of Robertson's life were spent in ill health, due to the wounds he suffered while serving in a tank crew in North Africa and Europe during World War II, his wife said.

Doctors were treating him for pneumonia when tests revealed he had lung cancer that had spread to his brain, bones, liver and lymph nodes, she said.

© 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention:
The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Dale robertson, westerns, TV series, Ronald Reagan, cancer death

NEWSLETTERS »

E-mail:       Zip Code: (ex. 90001)
Today's Headlines

Sign up for a roundup of the day's top stories. 5 days / week. See Sample

Rate This Article

Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment


Newsletter Sign Up

Daily Readings

Reading 1, Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
On our arrival in Rome Paul was allowed to stay in lodgings of ... Read More

Psalm, Psalms 11:4, 5, 7
Yahweh in his holy temple! Yahweh, his throne is in heaven; his ... Read More

Gospel, John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following ... Read More

Saint of the Day

May 18 Saint of the Day

St. Pope John I
May 18: St. John I, Pope and Martyr (Feast day - May 18) A native of ... Read More




Marketplace

Click Here

Jesus, The Secret to Happiness and Holiness Read More


Click Here

2014 Liturgical Calendars
Dated Liturgical Books and Calendars for 2014, including Daily Mass ... Read More