Vale: Fess Parker

Fess Parker, who played US television heroes Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone has died of natural causes, aged 85.

Following a handful of films, Parker made his TV debut in Dragnet in 1954 but it was as Disneyland’s Davy Crockett, with its iconic theme tune “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” (even this little Davy was known to warble that one!) that he became famous. Kids grabbed up Davy Crockett lunch boxes, toy Old Betsy rifles, buckskin shirts and trademark fur caps. Parker only made 7 appearances as the pioneer character.

In the 1960s he found more success as a frontiersman again when he landed the lead in Daniel Boone, a role he played for six years. He also produced several episodes of the show.

In 1970, he retired from acting and launched a successful career in real estate before a brief return in 1974 with his own sitcom, The Fess Parker Show. He also grew grapes for prize-winning wines.

A spokeswoman says Parker died of natural causes at his Santa Ynez home near the Fess Parker Winery on the 84th birthday of his wife of 50 years, Marcella.

Source: Associated Press, IMDb