Person
Hugh O'Brian
Acting · 1925–2016 · Rochester, New York, USA
Biography
Hugh O'Brian (born Hugh Charles Krampe) was a prominent American actor and humanitarian best known for starring as the legendary frontier lawman in the ABC Western television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp from 1955 to 1961 and the NBC action television series Search (1972–1973), as well as films, including the Agatha Christie adaptation Ten Little Indians (1965) and a notable supporting role in John Wayne's last film, The Shootist (1976). Known for his athletic, square-jawed build and quick-draw skills, he became one of television's definitive early Western heroes. Beyond acting, he left a massive global legacy as the founder of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation (HOBY), a nonprofit organization that has trained over 500,000 high school scholars in leadership and service.
Known for
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host
Perry Mason
Bruce Jason
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Christopher Martin
Murder, She Wrote
Fred Keppard
The Love Boat
Gabriel
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
The Dick Cavett Show
Self - Guest
The Virginian
Paul Taylor
Charlie's Angels
Tony Mann
Filmography
- 2021Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!Self
- 2003ABC's 50th Anniversary CelebrationSelf
- 2001The Shootist: The Legend Lives OnSelf (uncredited)
- 1999Television: The First Fifty YearsSelf (archive footage)
- 1994Wyatt Earp: Return to TombstoneWyatt Earp
- 1991The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the DrawWyatt Earp
- 1990Gunsmoke: The Last ApacheGen. Nelson Miles
- 1988TwinsGranger
- 1988ParadiseWyatt Earp
- 1988Doin' Time on Planet EarthRichard Camalier
- 1986L.A. LawRaymond Holtz
- 1984Murder, She WroteFred Keppard
- 1984James Mason: The Star They Loved to HateSelf - 'Lolita' premiere (uncredited)
- 1984Bruce Lee, the LegendSelf
- 1982Matt HoustonThomas 'Buck' McCune
- 1979The SeekersAndrew Piggot
- 1978Game of DeathSteiner
- 1978Cruise Into TerrorCaptain Andy
- 1977The Love BoatGabriel
- 1977Benny & Barney: Las Vegas UndercoverJack Davis
- 1977Fantasy IslandPaul Henley
- 1976Charlie's AngelsTony Mann
- 1976The ShootistJack Pulford
- 1976Killer ForceLewis
- 1975Murder on Flight 502Detective Daniel Myerson
- 1972SearchHugh Lockwood
- 1972ProbeHugh Lockwood
- 1971The Grand Opening of Walt Disney WorldSelf
- 1971HarpyPeter Clune
- 1970Wild WomenKillian
- 1970Swing Out, Sweet LandThomas Jefferson
- 1969Strategy of TerrorMatt Lacey
- 1968The Dick Cavett ShowSelf - Guest
- 1968Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InSelf
- 1968The Movie OrgyWyatt Earp (archive footage)
- 1967Dial M for MurderMark Halliday
- 1967Africa: Texas Style!Jim Sinclair
- 1966Ambush BaySgt. Steve Corey
- 1965Ten Little IndiansHugh Lombard
- 1965Assassination in RomeDick Sherman
- 1965In Harm's WayU.S. Army Air Corps Major (Liz Eddington's Lover) (uncredited)
- 1965Love Has Many FacesHank Walker
- 1963Kraft Suspense TheatreDetective Matt Lacey
- 1963Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler TheatreMig Semple
- 1963The Greatest Show on EarthGarve
- 1963Come Fly with MeFirst Officer Ray Winsley
- 1962The Merv Griffin ShowSelf
- 1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonSelf
- 1962The Alfred Hitchcock HourChristopher Martin
- 1962The VirginianPaul Taylor
- 1961The Mike Douglas ShowSelf - Co-Host
- 1961FeathertopFeathertop
- 1959Alias Jesse JamesWyatt Earp (uncredited)
- 1959The Bell Telephone HourSelf - Host
- 1958Westinghouse Desilu PlayhouseLt. Lee Baker
- 1958The Fiend Who Walked the WestDaniel Slade Hardy
- 1957Perry MasonBruce Jason
- 1957Tonight Starring Jack PaarSelf
- 1957Invitation to a GunfighterMatt Jeffers
- 1956The Brass LegendSheriff Wade Addams
- 1955The Twinkle In God's EyeMarty Callahan
- 1955The Life and Legend of Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp
- 1955White FeatherAmerican Horse
- 1954There's No Business Like Show BusinessCharles Gibbs
- 1954Broken LanceMike Devereaux
- 1954Studio 57Giff Dillard
- 1954Drums Across the RiverMorgan
- 1954Moby DickStarbuck
- 1954Fireman Save My ChildSmitty
- 1954SaskatchewanCarl Smith
- 1953Back to God's CountryFrank Hudson
- 1953Letter to LorettaDuke Cole
- 1953The Stand at Apache RiverTom Kenyon
- 1953The Man from the AlamoLt. Lamar
- 1953SeminoleKajeck
- 1953General Electric TheaterSam Sharp
- 1953Meet Me at the FairChilton Corr
- 1952The Lawless BreedIke Hanley
- 1952The RaidersHank Purvis
- 1952The Ford Television TheatreMatty Curran
- 1952This Is Your LifeSelf
- 1952Son of Ali BabaHussein
- 1952Sally and Saint AnneDanny O'Moyne
- 1952The Red Ball ExpressWilson
- 1952The Battle at Apache PassLt. Robert Harley
- 1952The Cimarron KidRed Buck
- 1951Cave of OutlawsGarth
- 1951The Red Skelton ShowCount Mustache
- 1951On the LooseDr. Phillips
- 1951Little Big HornPvt. Al DeWalt
- 1951Fighting Coast GuardTom Peterson
- 1951Buckaroo Sheriff of TexasTed Gately
- 1951Vengeance ValleyDick Fasken
- 1950The Return of Jesse JamesLem Younger
- 1950Beyond the Purple HillsJack Beaumont
- 1950Rocketship X-MHarry Chamberlain
- 1950What's My Line?Self - Mystery Guest
- 1950Never FearLen Randall
- 1949D.O.A.Jazz Fan (uncredited)
- 1948KidnappedSailor (uncredited)
- 1948The Ed Sullivan ShowSelf
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