Fess Parker, who confused many by playing both Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone has passed away. Actor Fess Parker, who became every baby boomer's idol in the 1950s and launched a craze for coonskin caps as television's Davy Crockett, died Thursday of natural causes. He was 85. Family spokeswoman Sao Anash said Parker, who was also TV's Daniel Boone and later a major California winemaker and developer, died at his Santa Ynez Valley, Calif., home. His death comes on the 84th birthday of his wife of 50 years, Marcella. See: Fess Parker, TV's 'Davy Crockett,' Dies At 85 : NPR Rest In Peace.
I just saw this sad announcement on abc news. My wife was in the kitchen when it came on, and I heard her singing the Davy Crockett theme song. It sure brought back memories (and yes, I owned my own coonskin cap).
There's a childhood icon! I was a tad bit young for the Davy Crocket run, but I was a devout Daniel Boone fan in the '60s. I had a coonskin cap and the musket, the one with the real wooden stock! Greg C.
Dang it, another great is gone. Rest in Peace Davy/Daniel. This is one fan who will greatly miss you. I always liked your Southern voice. You sure were great opposite Buddy Ebsen in the Crockett episodes, and also great teamed with Yadkin (Albert Salmi) and Mingo in the Daniel boone series. Some of my favorite movies you were in include: Springfield Rifle-opposite gary Cooper-and as a young Johnny Reb. The Great Locomotive Chase-as a Yankee spy, THEM! as a young pilot, and my alltime most favorite movie with you in it: Hell Is For Heroes-as the Platoon Sergeant and opposite Steve McQueen. Rest in Peace Fess :mourn: PS, had you and Mingo made the electorial bill on 08-you two had my vote for Pres and Vice Pres.
Oddly enough our local radio (KNCQ-Redding) gave this a great deal of play on the radio today. The reason being is that "Hell is for Heroes" was filmed on a ranch about 15 miles south of town (Redding) near Cottonwood, Ca.
