Dale Robertson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dale Robertson
Robertson as Jim Hardie, 1958
Born	Dayle Lymoine Robertson (1923-07-14)July 14, 1923 Harrah, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	February 27, 2013(2013-02-27) (aged 89) La Jolla, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1948–1994
Children	3

Dayle Lymoine Robertson (July 14, 1923 – February 27, 2013) was an American actor. He was famous for his starring roles on television. He often played a smart and humble Western hero.

Robertson was best known for playing Jim Hardie in the TV series Tales of Wells Fargo. He also played railroad owner Ben Calhoun in Iron Horse. From 1968 to 1970, he hosted the show Death Valley Days. For most of his career, Robertson acted in Western films and TV shows. He appeared in over 60 Western titles.

Early Life

Dale Robertson was born in 1923 in Harrah, Oklahoma. His parents were Melvin and Vervel Robertson. He attended the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore. While there, he also fought as a professional boxer.

World War II Service

During World War II, Robertson joined the United States Army. He served in Europe with the 322nd Combat Engineer Battalion. He was wounded twice during his service. For his bravery, he received the Bronze and Silver Star medals.

Acting Career

Starting Out

Robertson's acting career began by chance while he was in the Army. He was stationed in San Luis Obispo, California. His mother wanted a portrait of him. So, he went to Hollywood with other soldiers to find a photographer. A large photo of him was displayed in his mother's window. Soon, film agents started sending him letters. They wanted to represent him as an actor.

After the war, his injuries prevented him from boxing again. He decided to stay in California and try acting. Actor Will Rogers Jr. gave him some advice. He told Robertson not to take acting lessons. Robertson followed this advice and never had formal acting classes.

Robertson first appeared in a film in 1948. It was an uncredited role as a policeman. He then had small roles in two Westerns with Randolph Scott. These were Fighting Man of the Plains (1949) and The Cariboo Trail (1950). People liked his performances. This led to a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox.

Becoming a Star

Robertson's first role for Fox was in the Western Two Flags West (1951). He also had a supporting part in the musical Call Me Mister (1951). He quickly moved on to leading roles. He starred in films like Take Care of My Little Girl (1951). He also supported Mitzi Gaynor in Golden Girl (1951).

Fox soon gave Robertson top billing in movies. These included Return of the Texan (1952). He also appeared with Anne Baxter in The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1952). He starred in the adventure film Lydia Bailey (1952).

Robertson was one of several Fox stars in O. Henry's Full House (1952). He was also Betty Grable's love interest in The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953). Other films included City of Bad Men (1953) and The Silver Whip (1954). He also starred in The Gambler from Natchez (1954).

He worked for other studios too. He starred in Sitting Bull (1954) for United Artists. He also made Top of the World (1955). Later, he filmed A Day of Fury (1956) and Dakota Incident (1956).

Television Success

His most famous TV show was Tales of Wells Fargo. It ran on NBC from 1957 to 1961. Then it moved to ABC for its final season. Robertson used his own horse, Jubilee, in the series.

Robertson also narrated Tales of Wells Fargo. He often shared his thoughts on law and common sense. He said he disliked the gun he carried. But he saw it as a necessary "tool of the trade."

In 1960, Robertson appeared as himself on The Ford Show. In 1962, he sang "High Noon" on The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show. After Tales of Wells Fargo ended, he starred in Law of the Lawless (1963).

Dale Robertson in 1959

In 1965, Robertson started his own company, United Screen Arts. It released two of his films. These were The Man from Button Willow (1965, animated) and The One Eyed Soldiers (1966).

From 1966 to 1968, Robertson starred in Iron Horse. His character won a railroad line in a poker game. He then decided to manage the company. In 1968, he became the host of Death Valley Days. He hosted 26 episodes before the series ended.

Robertson also made guest appearances on other shows. He was on The Dean Martin Show in 1969. In 1974, he appeared as himself on The Six Million Dollar Man.

Later Roles

He played FBI agent Melvin Purvis in two TV movies. These were Melvin Purvis: G-Man (1974) and The Kansas City Massacre (1975).

In 1981, Robertson was part of the first cast of Dynasty. He played Walter Lankershim. He also played Frank Crutcher in five episodes of Dallas in 1982–83. In 1987, he starred in J.J. Starbuck.

In 1993 and 1994, Robertson appeared in Harts of the West. He played Zeke Terrell in three episodes. He also had uncredited roles in two episodes of Murder, She Wrote.

Robertson received the Golden Boot Award in 1985. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is also in the Hall of Great Western Performers. This is part of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

In 1999, he won an award for film and television. This was from the American Cowboy Culture Association. In his later years, Robertson hosted a radio show. It was called Little Known Facts.

Later Life and Death

In his later years, Dale Robertson lived on his ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma. He owned many horses there. He was married to Susan Robbins Robertson since 1980.

Due to his health, he moved to the San Diego area. He passed away on February 27, 2013, at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California.

TV & Filmography

Radio Appearances

See Also

In Spanish: Dale Robertson para niños