“Clint Walker, a former merchant seaman and real-life deputy sheriff who roamed the West as a towering, solitary figure on ‘Cheyenne,’ the first hourlong western on television, died on Monday in Grass Valley, Calif. He was 90,” the New York Times is reporting.
“His death, at a hospital, was confirmed by his daughter, Valerie Walker, who said the cause was congestive heart failure. Mr. Walker lived in Grass Valley, about 60 miles northeast of Sacramento.
“Mr. Walker also appeared in the ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and other movies, but he was best known for “Cheyenne,” seen on ABC from 1955 to 1963.
“The show opened with a theme song that stuck to the brain with the strength of epoxy:
“Cheyenne, Cheyenne where will you be camping tonight?/ Lonely man, Cheyenne, will your heart stay free and light?”
The rest of the article is here.
I met Clint and Susan at the Draft Horse Classic in Grass Valley in 2010..I loved him growing up and still watch his Cheyenne series. I have a photo with him on that day..and he laughed because I held onto his hand for so long..just couldn’t believe I was meeting him..we talked about health, never giving up hope and I told him not to worry that Moses lived til 900..he said well, I’m sure I won’t be living that long..what a gentleman..and what a sweet lady Susan is.