Fess Parker
Biography
Fess Parker was an American actor of film and television who was best known for his title roles as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. After growing up in Tom Green County near San Angelo, he studied acting at the University of Southern California and took a small part in a 1951 stage production of Mister Roberts. Under contract at Warner Bros. he had minor roles in Springfield Rifle (1952), The Bounty Hunter (1954) and Battle Cry (1955), and his brief appearance in Them! (1954) caught Walt Disney's attention, leading to the Davy Crockett miniseries and further Disney films including The Great Locomotive Chase (1956) and Old Yeller (1957). At Paramount he appeared in The Hangman (1959) and Hell Is for Heroes (1962). He starred in Daniel Boone from 1964 to 1970, co-producing and directing several episodes. He was nominated for a best new personality Emmy in 1954 and became a Disney Legend in 1991.
85years old at death
- Born Fort Worth
- Died Santa Ynez
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Also credited as Fess Elisha Parker, Fess Elisha Parker Jr., Fess Parker, Jr. and F. E. Parker Jr.
Movie Career
- Films
- 10
- Career span
- 10 years1952 to 1962
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Big break
Parker had recently become a contract weekly actor when his agent told him to take a part in Them!, a Warner Bros. science fiction movie about giant ants that needed just one day of work. Walt Disney discovered Parker while screening that film.
A role that slipped away
After a sitcom pilot titled The Fess Parker Show aired on March 28, 1974, and the network passed on it, Parker stepped away from acting at 49. He had also said no to playing the lead in McCloud.
Behind the camera
Parker starred in Daniel Boone for six years and also served as co-producer and directed five of its most popular episodes.
About the name
As a teenager, around 1937, Parker changed his name from F. E. Parker Jr. to Fess Elisha Parker Jr. He picked the middle name himself, liking its rhythm and its fit with his middle initial.
Early training
Parker had a year left on his GI Bill benefits, so he enrolled at the University of Southern California to study drama. There he worked toward a master's degree in theater history.
A role that slipped away
Parker disliked Disney's idea of giving him just a small part in Tonka. He refused it, was suspended, and later left Disney.
Fess Parker movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier1955 Adventure, Drama, Familyas Davy Crockett
IMDb rating 6.85.7K votes
Most often with
Norman Foster directed two of these films, André de Toth two. Two actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Kenneth Tobey's page
Jeff York's page
L.Q. Jones's page
Hank Worden's page
James Whitmore's page
William Bakewell's page
All films by Norman Foster
All films by André de Toth
Also two films together3 more actors
- Buddy EbsenDavy Crockett and the River Pirates (1956) and Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955)
- John LuptonThe Great Locomotive Chase (1956) and Battle Cry (1955)
- Don MegowanThe Great Locomotive Chase (1956) and Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1991 | Disney Legends | Honored | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.