Hugh O’Brian, who shot to fame as Sheriff Wyatt Earp in what was hailed as television’s first adult Western, has died. He was 91.
A representative from HOBY, a philanthropic organisation he founded, says Hugh died at home Monday in Beverly Hills.
Until The Life And Legend Of Wyatt Earp debuted in 1955, most TV Westerns were aimed at pre-teen boys.
Wyatt Earp was based on a real-life Western hero, and some of its stories were authentic. It made Hugh a star.
After the show ended in 1961, Hugh continued to work in movies, television and theatre until the 1990s.
He also made his mark in philanthropy in 1958 as founder of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership organisation, which continues to bring together promising high school students for leadership seminars.
