Fess Elisha Parker Jr. (born F. E. Parker Jr.;
[Weaver, Tom.]
Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde: Interviews with 62 Filmmakers
p. 148 (McFarland 2012). August 16, 1924 – March 18, 2010)
[(March 18, 2010]
Daniel Boone Actor Fess Parker Dies at 85"
'' CBS News''; Accessed March 18, 2010. was an American film and television actor best known for his portrayals of the title characters in the
Walt Disney
Walter Elias Disney ( ; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the Golden age of American animation, American animation industry, he introduced several develop ...
television miniseries ''
Davy Crockett
Colonel (United States), Colonel David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was an American politician, militia officer and frontiersman. Often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier", he represented Tennesse ...
'' (1954–55;
ABC) and the television series ''
Daniel Boone'' (1964–70;
NBC).
Early years
Parker was born in
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, Tarrant County, covering nearly into Denton County, Texas, Denton, Johnson County, Texas, Johnson, Parker County, Texas, Parker, and Wise County, Te ...
, and raised on a farm in
Tom Green County near
San Angelo.
["Disney Legends Award: Fess Parker-1991" ]
'' Disney.com'' His father – born Fess Parker but later added the initial "E." – was a tax assessor. The name Fess had been given to him in honor of the educator and politician
Simeon D. Fess.
The future actor decided to change his name from F. E. Parker Jr. to Fess Elisha Parker Jr. He selected the middle name himself, when he was a teenager (about 1937), because it sounded rhythmic and matched his middle initial.
He enlisted in the
U.S. Navy in the latter part of the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, hoping to become a
pilot. He was turned down because he was too tall at .
He then tried to become a radioman gunner, but he was found too large to fit comfortably into the rear cockpit. He was finally transferred to the
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines or simply the Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for conducting expeditionar ...
as a radio operator and shipped out to the South Pacific shortly before the war ended.
[Remembering Fess Parker](_blank)
'' The Alcalde'', Vol. 91 (no. 6), pg 34–37, University of Texas via Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is an American 501(c)(3) organization, non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle that runs a digital library website, archive.org. It provides free access to collections of digitized media including web ...
. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
Discharged in 1946, he enrolled at
Hardin–Simmons University in
Abilene, Texas, with assistance from the
GI Bill. After an automobile collision, he was stabbed in the neck by the other driver during an argument.
He was an active member of the H-SU Players Club and transferred to the
University of Texas at
Austin in 1947 as a history major and continued to be active in drama. One of his roommates there was the future actor
L.Q. Jones.
Parker
graduated from UT in 1950 with a degree in history. He had been initiated into the
Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Having one year remaining on his GI Bill benefits, he studied drama at the
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC, SC, or Southern Cal) is a Private university, private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in ...
, where he pursued a
master's degree
A master's degree (from Latin ) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional prac ...
in theater history.
Career
Parker began his show-business career in the summer of 1951 when he had a $32-a-week job as an extra in the play '' Mister Roberts'',[ although he is credited with the voice of Leslie the chauffeur in the 1950 film '' Harvey''.
Within months, he was on location with a minor part in ''Untamed Frontier'' with Joseph Cotten and Shelley Winters.
Parker became a contract player with Warner Bros., appearing in small roles in several films such as '' Springfield Rifle'' (1952), '' Island in the Sky'', '' The Bounty Hunter'', and '']Battle Cry
A battle cry or war cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same combatant group.
Battle cries are not necessarily articulate (e.g. "Eulaliaaaa!", "Alala"..), although they often aim to invoke patriotic or religio ...
''. In 1954, he appeared as Grat Dalton in the Jim Davis syndicated Western '' Stories of the Century'' in the episode " The Dalton Brothers".
Davy Crockett
James Arness was first considered for the role of Davy Crockett. Parker had recently graduated to being a contract weekly actor but listened to his agent and appeared in a Warner Bros. science fiction film about giant ants called '' Them!'', which required only one day's work.[Richard Severo (March 19, 2010]
"Fess Parker, Who as Davy Crockett Set Off Coonskin Cap Craze, Dies at 85"
''The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'' Accessed March 19, 2010 During the screening of this film, Walt Disney looked past Arness and discovered Parker. Disney was impressed by Parker's portrayal of a man who was unswerving in his belief in what he saw despite the forces of authority against him. They asked him to drop by the Disney Studio. When he did, he brought his guitar, met Disney, sang a song, and then said goodbye. Several weeks later, Disney informed him that he had been selected over Arness and several others for the role.[
Disney's three-episode version of Crockett depicted his exploits as a frontiersman, congressman, and tragic hero of the Alamo. The episodes have been called the first television miniseries, though the term had not yet been coined. '']Davy Crockett
Colonel (United States), Colonel David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was an American politician, militia officer and frontiersman. Often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier", he represented Tennesse ...
'' (1954–55) was a tremendous hit and led to a merchandising frenzy for coonskin caps and more.[
Parker became a contract star for Disney and appeared in '' The Great Locomotive Chase'', '' Westward Ho, the Wagons!'', '' Old Yeller'', and '' The Light in the Forest''. He complained that they were all basically the same role. Disney refused to lend Parker for roles outside that persona, such as Jeffrey Hunter's role opposite ]John Wayne
Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...
in '' The Searchers'' and Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe ( ; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June 1, 1926 August 4, 1962) was an American actress and model. Known for playing comic "Blonde stereotype#Blonde bombshell, blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex ...
's leading man in '' Bus Stop''.
Parker was dissatisfied with Disney's proposal to use him only in a small role in ''Tonka
Tonka is an American brand and former manufacturer of toy trucks. The company was founded in 1946 and operated as an independent manufacturer of popular steel toy construction type trucks and machinery, until its sale to Hasbro in 1991.
Histor ...
''. He was put on suspension for refusing the role, and subsequently left Disney.
Post Disney
Parker made guest appearances on many television programs, and composed and sang. He performed the occasional role of Tom Conrad, editor of the ''Diablo Courier'' in the syndicated western series, '' Annie Oakley'' (1954–1957), starring Gail Davis, Brad Johnson, and Jimmy Hawkins.
Parker was contracted to Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...
from 1958 to 1962. He appeared in a small assortment of Paramount movies, including a cameo as an unnamed frontiersman in Bob Hope
Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, entertainer and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in vaudeville, network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared ...
's Western comedy '' Alias Jesse James'' and supporting roles in '' The Hangman'' (1959) with Robert Taylor, '' The Jayhawkers!'' (1959) with Jeff Chandler, and '' Hell Is for Heroes'' (1962) with Steve McQueen.
In 1962, he starred in the title role of the TV series '' Mr Smith Goes to Washington'', portraying the same idealistic character that James Stewart had played in the 1939 film. Parker took to the stage in 1963, in a traveling production of ''Oklahoma!
''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs's 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...
'' as Curly. The movie roles he sought were elusive.[ In 1966, Parker starred in the movie '' Smoky'', directed by George Sherman, where he played the role of Clint Barkley, who befriends and grooms a wild black stallion called Smoky.
]
Daniel Boone
Parker's '' Daniel Boone'' television series portraying another historic figure of America's frontier days began filming in 1964. Over its six years (1964 to 1970) as one of the highest-rated shows of its time, Parker was not only the star of the series, but also the co-producer and director of five of its most popular episodes.[
Turning down the title role of '' McCloud'', Parker retired from acting at the age of 49 after a ]sitcom
A sitcom (short for situation comedy or situational comedy) is a genre of comedy produced for radio and television, that centers on a recurring cast of character (arts), characters as they navigate humorous situations within a consistent settin ...
pilot called ''The Fess Parker Show'' was broadcast on March 28, 1974, but was not subsequently picked up by the network.
Awards
Fess Parker was nominated for best new personality Emmy
The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award catego ...
in 1954, but lost to George Gobel. He was never nominated again, nor was his show ''Daniel Boone''.[Tom O'Neil (March 18, 2010]
"Fess Parker had that cool coonskin cap – who needs an Emmy?"
, ''Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...
'', Accessed March 19, 2010
In 1991, he was named a Disney Legend.
In 2003, Parker received the Texas Cultural Trust's "Texas Medal of Arts Award", established only the year before.[(March 18, 2003]
"2003 Texas Medal of Arts Award Winners to Be Celebrated Tuesday, March 25"
'' PRNewswire'', Accessed March 19, 2010
For his work with Disney, Parker was honored in December 2004 with his own tribute window on a façade in the Frontierland section of Disneyland
Disneyland is a amusement park, theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, ...
.[Heather Hust Rivera (December 18, 2009]
"Did You Miss It? Davy Crockett's Window in Frontierland"
''Disney'' Accessed May 25, 2010
Business and politics
Parker became interested in opening a Davy Crockett-themed amusement park. In the late 1960s, he optioned land in northern Kentucky at the intersection of Interstates 71 and 75, with the intention of building Frontier Worlds. However, when the Taft Broadcasting Company of Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...
, began building Kings Island in nearby Mason, Ohio, less than a 2-hour drive from Parker's site, financing for Parker's venture dried up. Plans for the Frontier World park were eventually revitalized in Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara ( ; Spanish language, Spanish for "Clare of Assisi, Saint Clare") is a city in Santa Clara County, California. The city's population was 127,647 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of cities and towns i ...
and developed into California's Great America.
Fess Parker Winery
After his acting career, Parker devoted much of his time to operating his Fess Parker Family Winery and Vineyards in Los Olivos, California.[Official Fess Parker Website]
''fessparker.com'' The winery is owned and operated by Parker's family, and has produced several different types of award-winning wines. Parker's son, Eli, is president and director of winemaking and vineyard
A vineyard ( , ) is a plantation of grape-bearing vines. Many vineyards exist for winemaking; others for the production of raisins, table grapes, and non-alcoholic grape juice. The science, practice and study of vineyard production is kno ...
operations, while daughter, Ashley, is vice president of marketing and sales.[
The Parker operation includes over of vineyards, and a tasting room and visitor center along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. In addition to wine, the winery is known for selling coonskin caps and bottle toppers inspired by Parker's Crockett and Boone characters, and for its appearance under another name in the movie '' Sideways''. In reminiscence of his acting days, Parker's wine labels have a logo of a golden coonskin cap.][Eric Lindberg (March 18, 201]
"Fess Parker, famed actor and hotelier, dies at 85"
, ''The Daily Sound'', Accessed March 19, 2010
Politics
In 1985, Parker briefly flirted with running in 1986 for the United States Senate
The United States Senate is a chamber of the Bicameralism, bicameral United States Congress; it is the upper house, with the United States House of Representatives, U.S. House of Representatives being the lower house. Together, the Senate and ...
as a Republican for the seat of incumbent Democrat Alan Cranston
Alan MacGregor Cranston (June 19, 1914 – December 31, 2000) was an American politician and journalist who served as a United States Senate, United States Senator from California from 1969 to 1993, and as President of the Citizens for Global S ...
. He considered himself a conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civiliza ...
in the mold of Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...
.
Personal life and death
Parker married Marcella Belle Rinehart on January 18, 1960. They had two children, Fess Elisha Parker III and Ashley Allen Rinehart, along with 11 grandchildren and a great-grandson.[Official Website Biography Page]
Accessed March 18, 2010
Parker died of natural causes on March 18, 2010, at his home in Santa Ynez, California, near the Fess Parker Winery. He is buried in the Santa Barbara Cemetery with a simple headstone, and a coonskin hat inscribed below his name.
Filmography
Film
Television
* ''Dragnet: The Big Winchester'' (March 5, 1954 - Season 3, Episode 27)
* "Annie Oakley: (May 8th, 1954), Annie and the Texas Sandman"
* ''Death Valley Days'': (1954) Season 2, Ep 15, Kickapoo Run
* ''Davy Crockett
Colonel (United States), Colonel David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was an American politician, militia officer and frontiersman. Often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier", he represented Tennesse ...
'' (miniseries 1954–1955)
* '' City Detective'' (1 episode, 1955)
* '' Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' (1962–1963)
* '' The Alfred Hitchcock Hour'' (1963) (Season 2 Episode 6: "Nothing Ever Happens in Linvale") as Sheriff Ben Wister
* '' Daniel Boone'' (lead cast member from 1964 to 1970, with Ed Ames, Patricia Blair, Darby Hinton, and Veronica Cartwright)
* ''Climb an Angry Mountain'' (1972)
* ''The Fess Parker Show'' (1974) (unsold pilot)
* '' Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure'' (2007) (as himself, discussing wine making)
See also
* List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
References
External links
*
Official bio and winery information
Fess Parker Facebook Fanpage
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parker, Fess
1924 births
2010 deaths
20th-century American businesspeople
American male film actors
American male television actors
Burials at Santa Barbara Cemetery
Businesspeople from California
California Republicans
Male Western (genre) film actors
Male actors from Fort Worth, Texas
Male actors from Santa Barbara, California
Military personnel from Texas
People from San Angelo, Texas
RCA Victor artists
Texas Republicans
USC School of Dramatic Arts alumni
United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
United States Marines
United States Navy personnel of World War II
University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts alumni
Western (genre) television actors
20th-century American male actors
Disney Legends
Hardin–Simmons University alumni