One of television’s astir iconic Westerns premiered successful 1959 and ran for 8 seasons
Published connected June 7, 2025 10:00AM EDT
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Premiering connected CBS successful 1959, Rawhide was 1 of television’s astir iconic Westerns, moving for 8 seasons until 1965.
Rawhide was group during nan post-Civil War era and followed a squad of cattle drovers arsenic they guided herds crossed nan American frontier. While Rawhide wrapped much than half a period ago, its power remains visible successful modern Westerns and American storytelling.
Each section tackled themes of justice, survival, and morality, often exploring nan societal challenges of nan American West done impermanent stars and melodramatic encounters on nan trail.
The bid helped motorboat Clint Eastwood’s career, yet mounting nan shape for his emergence arsenic a awesome Hollywood star. After nan show ended, galore formed members pursued divers paths successful acting, directing, and moreover politics, each carrying a portion of nan show's bequest pinch them.
Eric Fleming arsenic Trail Boss Gil Favor
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Eric Fleming played way leader Gil Favor, nan leader who guided nan cattle unit crossed vulnerable terrain.
He continued acting aft Rawhide, but his profession was tragically trim short erstwhile he drowned successful a stream while filming successful South America successful 1966. He was 41.
Fleming was thought to person been engaged to exemplary Lynne Garber astatine nan clip of his death.
Clint Eastwood arsenic Rowdy Yates
ony Esparza/CBS via Getty; Steve Granitz/WireImage
Clint Eastwood portrayed Rowdy Yates, nan young cowhand who yet matures into a leader. After Rawhide, Eastwood’s profession skyrocketed, acknowledgment to his roles successful Italian Westerns for illustration A Fistful of Dollars and later successful Dirty Harry.
He became a awesome Hollywood head and actor, winning aggregate Academy Awards for films for illustration Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby. As of 2025, nan 95-year-old continues to activity successful film, cementing his bequest arsenic 1 of cinema’s enduring figures.
He was joined twice: first to Maggie Johnson (1953 to 1984) and past to Dina Eastwood (1996 to 2014). Eastwood has a total of 8 children.
Paul Brinegar arsenic George Washington Wishbone
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Paul Brinegar played Wishbone, nan campy navigator who added bosom and joke to nan trail. After nan show, he kept moving steadily successful Westerns, some successful movies and TV.
He was joined to Shirley Talbott and had 2 children. Brinegar remained progressive successful acting until soon earlier his death. He passed distant successful 1995 astatine nan property of 77.
Sheb Wooley arsenic Pete Nolan
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Sheb Wooley played Pete Nolan, a scout pinch a beardown consciousness of direction. A talented musician arsenic well, Wooley is famously known for his novelty hit, The Purple People Eater. He continued to equilibrium some acting and euphony passim his career, moreover contributing to sound effects for illustration nan iconic "Wilhelm Scream."
Wooley was joined to Linda Wooley for astir 2 decades. The brace shared 1 child.
Sheb died successful 2003 astatine nan property of 82.
James Murdock arsenic Mushy
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James Murdock played Mushy, nan adjunct navigator who brought warmth to nan show. After Rawhide, his acting profession slowed, though he appeared successful a fistful of tv shows and films successful nan 1970s, including The Godfather Part II.
Murdock kept a debased floor plan successful his individual life. He passed distant successful 1981 astatine conscionable 50. Despite his comparatively little career, he near a memorable belief connected fans of nan series.
Steve Raines arsenic Jim Quince
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Steve Raines took connected nan domiciled of Jim Quince, a seasoned drover known for his quiet toughness. A real-life cowboy and rodeo performer earlier acting, Raines brought authenticity to his role.
After Rawhide, he continued appearing successful Westerns and action series, though his acting profession yet coiled down. He lived a comparatively backstage life and passed distant successful 1996 astatine nan property of 79.
Rocky Shahan arsenic Joe Scarlet
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Rocky Shahan played a supporting drover, Joe Scarlet. In summation to acting, he worked extensively arsenic a stuntman successful Westerns.
Shahan stepped backmost from Hollywood successful nan precocious 1970s. He died successful 1981, remembered chiefly for his behind-the-scenes contributions to nan genre.
He was 62 astatine nan clip of his death.