| Dale Robertson | |
|---|---|
Robertson as Jim Hardie, 1957. |
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| Born | Dayle Lymoine Robertson July 14, 1923 Harrah, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse | Susan Robertson |
Dayle Lymoine "Dale" Robertson (born July 14, 1923, Harrah, Oklahoma) is an American actor best known for his starring roles on television. He played the role of Jim Hardie in the TV series, Tales of Wells Fargo, and the owner of an incomplete railroad line in ABC's The Iron Horse, often appearing as the deceptively thoughtful but modest western hero.
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Born in Harrah, Oklahoma in 1923, Robertson worked as a professional boxer briefly before enrolling in Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore, Oklahoma.[1] He also served in the military before his professional acting career began.[2] He served in a tank crew and in the combat engineers in North Africa during World War II and was wounded twice.[2]
Robertson began his acting career by chance during World War II, when he was in the United States Army. Stationed at San Luis Obispo, California, Robertson decided to have a photograph taken for his mother; so he and several other soldiers went to Hollywood to find a photographer. A large copy of his photo was later displayed in the photographer's shop window.[1] Eventually serving in the South Pacific, he found himself receiving letters from film agents who wished to represent him. After the war, Robertson stayed in California. Hollywood actor Will Rogers, Jr., gave him this advice: "Don't ever take a dramatic lesson. They will try to put your voice in a dinner jacket, and people like their hominy and grits in everyday clothes." Robertson thereafter avoided formal acting lessons.[1]
For most of his career, Robertson played in Western movies and TV shows. His best remembered series were the NBC series Tales of Wells Fargo, later moved to ABC, in which he played a roving company 'trouble-shooter' named "Jim Hardie", and ABC's The Iron Horse, in which his character won an incomplete railroad line in a poker game and took the challenge of running it. He appeared in 63 films.[1] In its March 30, 1959, cover story on TV westerns, Time magazine reported Robertson was 6 feet tall, weighed 180 pounds, and measured 42-34-34. He sometimes made use of his physique in "beefcake" scenes, such as one in 1952's Return of the Texan where he is seen bare-chested and sweaty, repairing a fence.
In 1960, Robertson guest starred on NBC's The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford.[3] In 1962, he similarly appeared on a short-lived western comedy and variety series, The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show on ABC.[4] He co-hosted Death Valley Days during the 1960s.
In 1981 he was in the original starring cast of ABC's popular Dynasty, playing Walter Lankershim, a character who disappeared after the first season. In 1985 it was revealed in the storyline that the character had died off screen. In 1987, he starred as the title character on J.J. Starbuck. In December 1993 and January 1994, Robertson appeared in two episodes of CBS's comedy/western Harts of the West in the role of "Zeke Terrell", the brother of series co-star Lloyd Bridges.
He received the Golden Boot Award in 1985,[2] has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is also in the Hall of Great Western Performers. He is an inductee in the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.[2]
He was referenced by name in an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man[5] made in 1974. After parachuting into Africa, Steve Austin is rescued by a couple of nuns. One of the nuns, "Sister Annette", states that she is President of the Dale Robertson Fan Club and discuses Tales of Wells Fargo. She states that Robertson speaks Flemish. Robertson appeared at the end of the episode in a cameo as himself.
Robertson is now retired and lives on a ranch with his wife in Yukon, Oklahoma.