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{{Distinguish|text= American hydrologist [[Robert E. Horton]]}}
{{Short description|American actor (1924–2016)}}
{{Short description|American actor (1924–2016)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
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| alma_mater = [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]]
| alma_mater = [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Television|film|stage actor|singer}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Television|film|stage actor|singer}}
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Mary Katherine Jobe|1945|1950|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Barbara Ruick]]|1953|1956|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Marilynn Bradley|1960|2016|end=his death}}}}
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Mary Jobe|June 27, 1946|1950|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Barbara Ruick]]|August 22, 1953|1956|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Marilynn Bradley|December 31, 1960|<!-- Omission per Template:Marriage instructions -->}}}}
| website = {{url|www.roberthorton.com}}
| website = {{url|www.roberthorton.com}}
}}
}}
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[[File:Robert Horton Wagon Train.JPG|thumb|upright|Horton in ''[[Wagon Train]]'', 1957]]
⚫
'''Mead Howard Horton Jr.''' (July 29, 1924 – March 9, 2016), known as '''Robert Horton''', was an American actor and singer. He is best known as Flint McCullough in ''[[Wagon Train]]'' (1957–1962).
[[File:Robert Horton Ward Bond Wagon Train.JPG|thumb|upright|Horton and [[Ward Bond]] in ''Wagon Train'', 1957]]
[[File:Robert Horton A Man Called Shenandoah 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Horton in ''[[A Man Called Shenandoah]]'', 1965]]
[[File:Robert Horton-Jill St. John in The Spy Killer.jpg|thumb|upright|Horton and [[Jill St. John]] in ''[[The Spy Killer]]'' (1969)]]
[[File:Earl Holliman Angie Dickinson Robert Horton Police Woman 1976.jpg|thumb|upright|Horton, [[Angie Dickinson]] and [[Earl Holliman]] in ''[[Police Woman (TV series)|Police Woman]]'', 1976]]
⚫
'''Mead Howard "Robert" Horton Jr.''' (July 29, 1924 – March 9, 2016) was an American actor and singer. He is known for playing Flint McCullough in ''[[Wagon Train]]'' (1957–1962).


==Early life==
==Early life==
One of two sons, Horton was born as Mead Howard Horton Jr. on July 29, 1924, in Los Angeles, California. He was the son of Mead Howard Horton and Chelta McMurrin.<ref name="wth">{{cite news|title=Mail Bag|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5735533/waco_tribuneherald|work=Waco Tribune-Herald|date=January 22, 1967|location=Waco, TX|page=56|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref>
One of two sons, Mead Howard Horton Jr. was born on July 29, 1924, in Los Angeles. His parents were Mead Howard Horton Sr. and Chelta McMurrin.<ref name="wth">{{cite news|title=Mail Bag|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5735533/waco_tribuneherald|work=Waco Tribune-Herald|date=January 22, 1967|location=Waco, TX|page=56|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 30, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref>


Horton said that he never felt he fitted into his proper [[Latter-day Saint]] household because at times he was rather impetuous.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/arts/television/robert-horton-handsome-scout-on-wagon-train-dies-at-91.html|title=Robert Horton, Handsome 'Wagon Train' Star Who Wanted More, Dies at 91|first=Daniel E.|last=Slotnik|date=March 15, 2016|work=The New York Times}}</ref> He survived several surgeries in childhood, including hernia repair and treatment for an enlarged kidney. Horton attended California Military Institute in Perris, where he played football.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Robert-Horton-91-Wagon-Train-actor-6894461.php|title=Robert Horton, 91, Wagon Train actor|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=March 24, 2016}}</ref> After graduation in 1943 at age 19, he enlisted in the [[Coast Guard]], but was medically discharged because of his kidney.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sage|first1=Alyssa|title=Robert Horton, 'Wagon Train' Actor, Dies at 91|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/20160315_Reuters_tagreuterscom2016newsmlMT1VRT1201730599_Robert_Horton___Wagon_Train__Actor__Dies_at_91.html|access-date=June 30, 2016|work=Philadelphia Daily News|date=March 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
Horton said that he never felt he fitted into his proper [[Latter-day Saint]] household because at times he was rather impetuous.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/arts/television/robert-horton-handsome-scout-on-wagon-train-dies-at-91.html|title=Robert Horton, Handsome 'Wagon Train' Star Who Wanted More, Dies at 91|first=Daniel E.|last=Slotnik|date=March 15, 2016|work=The New York Times}}</ref> He survived several surgeries in childhood, including hernia repair and treatment for an enlarged kidney. Horton attended California Military Institute in Perris, where he played football.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Robert-Horton-91-Wagon-Train-actor-6894461.php|title=Robert Horton, 91, Wagon Train actor|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=March 24, 2016}}</ref> After graduation in 1943 at age 19, he enlisted in the [[Coast Guard]], but was medically discharged because of his kidney.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sage|first1=Alyssa|title=Robert Horton, 'Wagon Train' Actor, Dies at 91|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/20160315_Reuters_tagreuterscom2016newsmlMT1VRT1201730599_Robert_Horton___Wagon_Train__Actor__Dies_at_91.html|access-date=June 30, 2016|work=Philadelphia Daily News|date=March 15, 2016}}</ref>


In 1945, a chance encounter with a talent scout led to an uncredited part in [[Lewis Milestone]]'s film ''[[A Walk in the Sun (1945 film)|A Walk in the Sun]]'' (1945). He first studied dramatics at the University of Miami<ref name=wth/> but later changed schools and graduated [[cum laude]] from [[UCLA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/ns/robert-horton-obituary/178046924|title=Robert Horton Obituary|publisher=Legacy.com|date=March 14, 2016|access-date=March 14, 2016}}</ref> He relocated from California to New York City, where he worked as a struggling actor, before returning to California. At age 28, Horton signed a contract with [[MGM]], appearing in films. It was there where he met younger actors [[Robert Fuller (actor)|Robert Fuller]] and [[James Drury]], who both became Horton's lifelong friends.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}
In 1945, a chance encounter with a talent scout led to an uncredited part in [[Lewis Milestone]]'s film ''[[A Walk in the Sun (1945 film)|A Walk in the Sun]]'' (1945). He first studied dramatics at the University of Miami<ref name=wth/> but later changed schools and graduated [[cum laude]] from [[UCLA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/ns/robert-horton-obituary/178046924|title=Robert Horton Obituary|publisher=Legacy.com|date=March 14, 2016|access-date=March 14, 2016}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Horton's experience on stage included work with the [[American Theatre Wing]] in New York City, where he was the "resident leading man".<ref name=wth/> From that, he was signed to a contract with MGM Studios,<ref name=wth/> where he "appeared in numerous films."<ref name="vinyl">{{cite book|last1=Leszczak|first1=Bob|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UpucCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA157|title=From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950–2000|date=2015|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781442242746|pages=157–58}}</ref> His "first major TV role" was in ''[[Ford Theatre#Television|Ford Theatre]]'' in the episode "Portrait of Lydia" on December 16, 1954.{{r|tt|page1=297}}
Horton's experience on stage included work with the [[American Theatre Wing]] in New York City, where he was the "resident leading man".<ref name=wth/> From that, he was signed to a contract with MGM Studios,<ref name=wth/> where he "appeared in numerous films."<ref name="vinyl">{{cite book|last1=Leszczak|first1=Bob|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UpucCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA157|title=From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950–2000|date=2015|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781442242746|pages=157–58}}</ref> His "first major TV role" was in ''[[Ford Theatre#Television|Ford Theatre]]'' in the episode "Portrait of Lydia" on December 16, 1954.{{r|tt|page1=297}}


In his six decades of television, Horton, who became known for his voice, was most noted for his role as the frontier scout Flint McCullough in the television series ''[[Wagon Train]]'' from 1957 to 1962. His co-stars were [[Ward Bond]], [[John McIntire]], [[Terry Wilson (actor)|Terry Wilson]], and [[Frank McGrath (actor)|Frank McGrath]]. He eventually quit the series to pursue a career in musical theater.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fiftiesweb.com/wt/wagon-train.htm |title=TV Westerns – Wagon Train |publisher=FiftiesWeb |access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Rosen |first1=James |title=Wagon train : the television series |publisher=Autumn Road Co |isbn=0972868445 |ref=book}}</ref>
In his six decades of television, Horton, who became known for his voice, was most noted for his role as the frontier scout Flint McCullough in the television series ''[[Wagon Train]]'' from 1957 to 1962. His co-stars were [[Ward Bond]], [[John McIntire]], [[Terry Wilson (actor)|Terry Wilson]], and [[Frank McGrath (actor)|Frank McGrath]]. He eventually quit the series to pursue a career in musical theater.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fiftiesweb.com/tv/wagon-train/ |title=TV Westerns – Wagon Train |date=August 4, 1998 |publisher=FiftiesWeb |access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Rosen |first1=James |title=Wagon train : the television series |year=2008 |publisher=Autumn Road Co |isbn=978-0972868440 |ref=book}}</ref>


⚫
[[File:Robert Horton Wagon Train.JPG|thumb|Horton in ''[[Wagon Train]]''.]]
His role on ''Wagon Train'' was taken by [[Robert Fuller (actor)|Robert Fuller]] as the scout Cooper Smith. Fuller, a veteran of the western series ''[[Laramie (TV series)|Laramie]]'', resembled Horton, and the two actors coincidentally shared the same birthday, albeit nine years apart.<ref>[http://www.robertfuller.info/bio/index.html "The Official Robert Fuller Website: Biography".] Retrieved July 18, 2017.</ref>
His role on ''Wagon Train'' was taken by [[Robert Fuller (actor)|Robert Fuller]] as the scout Cooper Smith. Fuller, a veteran of the western series ''[[Laramie (TV series)|Laramie]]'', resembled Horton, and the two actors coincidentally shared the same birthday, albeit nine years apart.<ref>[http://www.robertfuller.info/bio/index.html "The Official Robert Fuller Website: Biography".] Retrieved July 18, 2017.</ref>


Horton played Drake McHugh,<ref name=etvs>Terrace, Vincent (2011). ''Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-6477-7}}, p. 567.</ref> [[Ronald Reagan]]'s role in the television version of ''[[Kings Row]]'' (1955), which featured [[Jack Kelly (actor)|Jack Kelly]], and ran for seven episodes as part of the ''[[Warner Bros. Presents]]'' series, rotating with a television version of ''[[Casablanca (film)|Casablanca]]'' and ''[[Cheyenne (1955 TV series)|Cheyenne]]'', starring [[Clint Walker]].{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
Horton played Drake McHugh,<ref name=etvs>Terrace, Vincent (2011). ''Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-6477-7}}, p. 567.</ref> [[Ronald Reagan]]'s role in the television version of ''[[Kings Row]]'' (1955), which featured [[Jack Kelly (actor)|Jack Kelly]], and ran for seven episodes as part of the ''[[Warner Bros. Presents]]'' series, rotating with a television version of ''[[Casablanca (film)|Casablanca]]'' and ''[[Cheyenne (1955 TV series)|Cheyenne]]'', starring [[Clint Walker]].


The ruggedly handsome Horton made dozens of appearances in movies and television shows between 1951 and 1989, including a small role in the film ''[[Bright Road]]'' starring [[Dorothy Dandridge]], an episode of [[Ray Milland]]'s sitcom ''[[Meet Mr. McNutley]]'' and on the syndicated ''[[Sheriff of Cochise]]'', starring [[John Bromfield]]. Horton played Corporal Tom Vaughn in an episode "False Prophet" (1956) on ''[[Crossroads (1955 TV series)|Crossroads]]''.
The ruggedly handsome Horton made dozens of appearances in movies and television shows between 1951 and 1989, including a small role in the film ''[[Bright Road]]'' starring [[Dorothy Dandridge]], an episode of [[Ray Milland]]'s sitcom ''[[Meet Mr. McNutley]]'' and on the syndicated ''[[Sheriff of Cochise]]'', starring [[John Bromfield]]. Horton played Corporal Tom Vaughn in an episode "False Prophet" (1956) on ''[[Crossroads (1955 TV series)|Crossroads]]''.


Horton appeared on seven episodes of ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'', including memorably as a tennis-playing bookie and blackmailer opposite [[Betsy von Furstenberg]] in "The Disappearing Trick", directed by [[Arthur Hiller]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/alfred-hitchcock-presents--disappearing-trick-v349669|title=Alfred Hitchcock Presents : Disappearing Trick (1958) - Arthur Hiller &#124; Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related &#124; AllMovie|via=www.allmovie.com}}</ref> He was cast as Danny Barnes in the episode "No Place to Hide" of the''[[The DuPont Show with June Allyson]]'' as well as appeared on the interview program ''[[Here's Hollywood]]'' and NBC's anthology series ''[[The Barbara Stanwyck Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atvaudio.com/ata_search.php?keywords=HERE%27S+HOLLYWOOD|title=Archival Television Audio - Search Results|website=www.atvaudio.com}}</ref> He appeared several times on ''[[The Ford Show|The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford]]''.
Horton appeared on seven episodes of ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'', including memorably as a tennis-playing insurance investigator and blackmailer opposite [[Betsy von Furstenberg]] in "The Disappearing Trick", directed by [[Arthur Hiller]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/alfred-hitchcock-presents--disappearing-trick-v349669|title=Alfred Hitchcock Presents : Disappearing Trick (1958) - Arthur Hiller &#124; Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related &#124; AllMovie|via=www.allmovie.com}}</ref> He was cast as Danny Barnes in the episode "No Place to Hide" of ''[[The DuPont Show with June Allyson]]'' as well as appeared on the interview program ''[[Here's Hollywood]]'' and NBC's anthology series ''[[The Barbara Stanwyck Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atvaudio.com/ata_search.php?keywords=HERE%27S+HOLLYWOOD|title=Archival Television Audio - Search Results|website=www.atvaudio.com}}</ref> He appeared several times on ''[[The Ford Show|The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford]]''.


In the 1960s, Horton made two [[Single (music)|45 RPM singles]] on the [[Columbia Records]] label: "[[The Very Thought of You]]"/"[[Hey There]]" and "[[King of the Road (song)|King of the Road]]"/"Julie".<ref name=vinyl/> The former's A-side was also the title track of an album he released on the same label.<ref>{{cite web | last1 = Watts | first1 = Randy | last2 = Callahan|first2=Mike|last3=Edwards|first3=David|last4=Eyries|first4=Patrice|title=Columbia Main Series, Part 18: CL 2200-2299/CS 9000–9099 (1964–1965)|url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/columbia/columbia12/columbia2200.html| website=Bsnpubs.com |access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>
In the 1960s, Horton made two [[Single (music)|45 RPM singles]] on the [[Columbia Records]] label: "[[The Very Thought of You]]"/"[[Hey There]]" and "[[King of the Road (song)|King of the Road]]"/"Julie".<ref name=vinyl/> The former's A-side was also the title track of an album he released on the same label.<ref>{{cite web | last1 = Watts | first1 = Randy | last2 = Callahan|first2=Mike|last3=Edwards|first3=David|last4=Eyries|first4=Patrice|title=Columbia Main Series, Part 18: CL 2200-2299/CS 9000–9099 (1964–1965)|url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/columbia/columbia12/columbia2200.html| website=Bsnpubs.com |access-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref>


Horton performed for many years in theaters and nightclubs all over America, and in Australia as a singer (sometimes with his wife, the former Marilynn Bradley). In 1963, producer [[David Merrick]] hired him as the male lead in the musical version of [[N. Richard Nash]]'s play ''[[The Rainmaker (play)|The Rainmaker]]'' (titled ''[[110 in the Shade]]''),.<ref name=vinyl/> The musical, with a score by [[Tom Jones (writer)|Tom Jones]] and [[Harvey Schmidt]], ran for 330 performances on Broadway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/110-in-the-shade-3037|title=110 in the Shade – Broadway Musical – Original &#124; IBDB|website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref>
Horton performed for many years in theaters and nightclubs all over America, and in Australia as a singer (sometimes with his wife, the former Marilynn Bradley). In 1963, producer [[David Merrick]] hired him as the male lead in the musical version of [[N. Richard Nash]]'s play ''[[The Rainmaker (play)|The Rainmaker]]'' (titled ''[[110 in the Shade]]'').<ref name=vinyl/> The musical, with a score by [[Tom Jones (writer)|Tom Jones]] and [[Harvey Schmidt]], ran for 330 performances on Broadway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/110-in-the-shade-3037|title=110 in the Shade – Broadway Musical – Original &#124; IBDB|website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref>


Horton is also remembered for his offbeat role as an amnesiac in the 1965–1966 television series ''[[A Man Called Shenandoah]]''.{{r|etvs|page1=649}}
Horton is also remembered for his offbeat role as an amnesiac in the 1965–1966 television series ''[[A Man Called Shenandoah]]''.{{r|etvs|page1=649}}


In 1966, he starred in ''The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones'', the first Western made specifically for television and simultaneous distribution to cinemas in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-dangerous-days-of-kiowa-jones-v124799|title=The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones (1966) - Alex March &#124; Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related &#124; AllMovie|via=www.allmovie.com}}</ref> It was made by MGM and co-starred [[Sal Mineo]] and [[Diane Baker]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a86177c|title=The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones (1966)|website=BFI}}</ref>
In 1966, he starred in ''The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones'', the first Western made specifically for television and simultaneous distribution to cinemas in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-dangerous-days-of-kiowa-jones-v124799|title=The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones (1966) - Alex March &#124; Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related &#124; AllMovie|via=www.allmovie.com}}</ref> It was made by MGM and co-starred [[Sal Mineo]] and [[Diane Baker]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a86177c|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019193118/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a86177c|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2017|title=The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones (1966)|website=BFI}}</ref>


In 1968, two years later, Horton co-starred in ''[[The Green Slime]]'', a low-budget Japanese-American science fiction film, directed by [[Kinji Fukasaku]] and shot entirely in Japan, but with an American and European cast. His character Jack Rankin leads the crew of a space station in a battle for survival against one-eyed tentacled aliens that rapidly multiply as they feed on the station's sources of electricity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-green-slime-v20891|title=The Green Slime (1968) - Kinji Fukasaku &#124; Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related &#124; AllMovie|via=www.allmovie.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mubi.com/films/the-green-slime|title=The Green Slime|via=mubi.com}}</ref>
In 1968, two years later, Horton co-starred in ''[[The Green Slime]]'', a low-budget Japanese-American science fiction film, directed by [[Kinji Fukasaku]] and shot entirely in Japan, but with an American and European cast. His character Jack Rankin leads the crew of a space station in a battle for survival against one-eyed tentacled aliens that rapidly multiply as they feed on the station's sources of electricity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-green-slime-v20891|title=The Green Slime (1968) - Kinji Fukasaku &#124; Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related &#124; AllMovie|via=www.allmovie.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mubi.com/films/the-green-slime|title=The Green Slime|via=mubi.com}}</ref>
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Horton was married to Mary Jobe from 1946 until 1950, and to [[Barbara Ruick]] from 1953 until 1956; both marriages ended in divorce.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Aaker |first=Everett |title=Television Western Players, 1960-1975: A Biographical Dictionary |publisher=McFarland |year=2017 |isbn=9781476628561 |page=215}}</ref> In 1960, he married Marilynn Bradley, and they remained married until his death in 2016.<ref name=":0" />
Horton was an accomplished pilot and aircraft owner. According to ''Plane and Pilot'':


⚫
Following his 85th birthday in 2009, Horton announced, through his publicist, that he no longer would be making any personal appearances because he had tired of traveling.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 17, 2009 |title=Whatsnew |url=http://roberthorton.com/Whatsnew.htm |access-date=October 30, 2016 |publisher=Roberthorton.com}}</ref>
⚫
"His three greatest thrills were his first solo flight, a performance before [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], and being featured on [[Ralph Edwards]]' ''[[This Is Your Life]]''. His frequent co-pilot was his [[French Poodle]], "Jamie".<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Plane and Pilot|date=July 1967|title=Actor-Pilot ROBERT HORTON}}</ref>}}


Horton was a licensed pilot and aircraft owner.<ref>[https://obits.syracuse.com/us/obituaries/syracuse/name/robert-horton-obituary?pid=178046924 "Robert Horton Obituary"]. ''Syracuse Post Standard''. March 14, 2016.</ref>
⚫
Initially a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], he supported the campaign of [[Dwight Eisenhower]] during the [[1952 United States presidential election|1952 presidential election]].<ref>''Motion Picture and Television Magazine'', November 1952, page 34, Ideal Publishers</ref>


⚫
"His three greatest thrills were his first solo flight, a performance before [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], and being featured on [[Ralph Edwards]]' ''[[This Is Your Life (American franchise)|This Is Your Life]]''. His frequent co-pilot was his [[French poodle]], "Jamie".<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Plane and Pilot|date=July 1967|title=Actor-Pilot ROBERT HORTON}}</ref>
==Marriages==
Horton was first married to Mary Catherine Jobe in 1946; they divorced in 1950. He then married actress [[Barbara Ruick]] on August 22, 1953 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They divorced just three years later, in 1956.<ref>{{cite news|title=Starlet Barbara Ruick, Young Actor Married|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5736090/the_san_bernardino_county_sun|work=The San Bernardino County Sun|agency=Associated Press|date=August 24, 1953|location=San Bernardino, California|page=4}}</ref>


⚫
Initially a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], he supported the campaign of [[Dwight Eisenhower]] during the [[1952 United States presidential election|1952 presidential election]].<ref>''Motion Picture and Television Magazine'', November 1952, page 34, Ideal Publishers</ref>
⚫
On December 31, 1960, Horton married actress Marilynn Bradley, who limited her professional appearances on stage to performing with him. Horton and his wife lived in Encino, California in the same home for 55 years, until 2015. Following his 85th birthday in 2009, Horton announced, through his publicist, that he no longer would be making any personal appearances because he had tired of traveling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://roberthorton.com/Whatsnew.htm|title=Whatsnew|publisher=Roberthorton.com|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
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==Death==
==Death==
Horton died of natural causes on March 9, 2016 at the age of 91 in a rehabilitation clinic in Los Angeles, California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westernclippings.com |title=Western Movies and More |publisher=Westernclippings.com |access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref> According to his niece, he was injured in a fall in November 2015, and was placed in hospice care. At his request, he didn't have a funeral. His remains were cremated.{{Citation needed |date=September 2021}}
Horton was injured in a fall in November 2015, and was placed in hospice care.<ref name=":0" /> He died on March 9, 2016, at the age of 91 in a Los Angeles rehabilitation clinic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westernclippings.com |title=Western Movies and More |publisher=Westernclippings.com |access-date=October 30, 2016}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
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|1945|| ''[[A Walk in the Sun (1945 film)|A Walk in the Sun]]'' || Jack || Uncredited
|1945|| ''[[A Walk in the Sun (1945 film)|A Walk in the Sun]]'' || Jack || Uncredited
|-
|-
|1951|| ''[[The Tanks Are Coming (1951 film)|The Tanks Are Coming]]'' || Capt. Bob Horner || Uncredited
|1951|| ''[[The Tanks Are Coming (1951 film)|The Tanks Are Coming]]'' || Captain Bob Horner || Uncredited
|-
|-
|1952|| ''[[Return of the Texan]]'' || Dr. Jim Harris ||
|1952|| ''[[Return of the Texan]]'' || Dr. Jim Harris ||
Line 103: Line 107:
|1956|| ''[[The Man Is Armed]]'' || Dr. Michael Benning ||
|1956|| ''[[The Man Is Armed]]'' || Dr. Michael Benning ||
|-
|-
|1956|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Decoy ||
|1956|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Gil Larkin || Season 1 Episode 37: "Decoy"
|-
|-
|1956|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || The Crack of Doom || Mason Bridges
|1956|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Mason Bridges || Season 2 Episode 9: "The Crack of Doom"
|-
|1956|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || John Fenton || Season 2 Episode 13: "Mr. Blanchard's Secret"
|-
|1957|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Wallace Donaldson || Season 2 Episode 19: "A Bottle of Wine"
|-
|1958|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Walter Richmond || Season 3 Episode 27: "Disappearing Trick"
|-
|1959|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Brad Taylor || Season 4 Episode 18: "The Last Dark Step"
|-
|1960|| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Ray Marchand || Season 5 Episode 38: "Hooked"
|-
|-
|1957–62|| ''[[Wagon Train]]'' || Flint McCullough || Last onscreen episode is Season 5, Episode 36; credit only in episode 37
|1957–62|| ''[[Wagon Train]]'' || Flint McCullough || Last onscreen episode is Season 5, Episode 36; credit only in episode 37
Line 119: Line 133:
|1970|| ''[[Foreign Exchange (1970 film)|Foreign Exchange]]'' || TV movie
|1970|| ''[[Foreign Exchange (1970 film)|Foreign Exchange]]'' || TV movie
|-
|-
|1976|| ''[[Police Woman]]'' || Frank Armitage ||
|1976|| ''[[Police Woman (TV series)|Police Woman]]'' || Frank Armitage ||
|-
|-
|1988|| ''Red River'' || Mr. Melville, Cattle Buyer || TV movie
|1988|| ''Red River'' || Mr. Melville, Cattle Buyer || TV movie
Line 125: Line 139:
|1989|| ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' ||Jack Hutchings ||
|1989|| ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' ||Jack Hutchings ||
|}
|}
⚫
{{Portal|Biography|California|Theatre|Film|Television|Music}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
⚫
{{Portal|Biography|California|Theatre|Film|Television|Music}}
⚫
* {{IMDb name|0395667|Robert Horton}}

⚫
* {{IBDB name}}
* [http://www.roberthorton.com Official site]
* [http://www.roberthorton.com Official site]
⚫
* {{IMDb name}}
⚫
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* [http://www.playbill.com/article/robert-horton-original-starbuck-in-110-in-the-shade-dies-at-91 Obituary – Playbill]
* [http://www.playbill.com/article/robert-horton-original-starbuck-in-110-in-the-shade-dies-at-91 Obituary – Playbill]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/arts/television/robert-horton-handsome-scout-on-wagon-train-dies-at-91.html?_r=1 Obituary – New York Times]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/arts/television/robert-horton-handsome-scout-on-wagon-train-dies-at-91.html?_r=1 Obituary – New York Times]
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[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Male Western (genre) film actors]]
[[Category:Male Western (genre) film actors]]
[[Category:Military personnel from California]]
[[Category:United States Coast Guard personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Coast Guard personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Western (genre) television actors]]
[[Category:Western (genre) television actors]]

Latest revision as of 01:05, 1 July 2024

Not to be confused with American hydrologist Robert E. Horton.

Robert Horton
Horton in Police Woman (1976)
Born
Mead Howard Horton Jr.

(1924-07-29)July 29, 1924
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedMarch 9, 2016(2016-03-09) (aged 91)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materUCLA
Occupations
  • Television
  • film
  • stage actor
  • singer
Years active1945–1989
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
  • Mary Jobe
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1946; div. 1950)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1953; div. 1956)​
  • Marilynn Bradley
    ​
    (m. 1960)​
Websitewww.roberthorton.com
Horton in Wagon Train, 1957
Horton and Ward Bond in Wagon Train, 1957
Horton in A Man Called Shenandoah, 1965
Horton and Jill St. John in The Spy Killer (1969)
Horton, Angie Dickinson and Earl Holliman in Police Woman, 1976

Mead Howard "Robert" Horton Jr. (July 29, 1924 – March 9, 2016) was an American actor and singer. He is known for playing Flint McCullough in Wagon Train (1957–1962).

Early life

[edit]

One of two sons, Mead Howard Horton Jr. was born on July 29, 1924, in Los Angeles. His parents were Mead Howard Horton Sr. and Chelta McMurrin.[1]

Horton said that he never felt he fitted into his proper Latter-day Saint household because at times he was rather impetuous.[2] He survived several surgeries in childhood, including hernia repair and treatment for an enlarged kidney. Horton attended California Military Institute in Perris, where he played football.[3] After graduation in 1943 at age 19, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, but was medically discharged because of his kidney.[4]

In 1945, a chance encounter with a talent scout led to an uncredited part in Lewis Milestone's film A Walk in the Sun (1945). He first studied dramatics at the University of Miami[1] but later changed schools and graduated cum laude from UCLA.[5]

Career

[edit]

Horton's experience on stage included work with the American Theatre Wing in New York City, where he was the "resident leading man".[1] From that, he was signed to a contract with MGM Studios,[1] where he "appeared in numerous films."[6] His "first major TV role" was in Ford Theatre in the episode "Portrait of Lydia" on December 16, 1954.[7]: 297 

In his six decades of television, Horton, who became known for his voice, was most noted for his role as the frontier scout Flint McCullough in the television series Wagon Train from 1957 to 1962. His co-stars were Ward Bond, John McIntire, Terry Wilson, and Frank McGrath. He eventually quit the series to pursue a career in musical theater.[8][9]

His role on Wagon Train was taken by Robert Fuller as the scout Cooper Smith. Fuller, a veteran of the western series Laramie, resembled Horton, and the two actors coincidentally shared the same birthday, albeit nine years apart.[10]

Horton played Drake McHugh,[11] Ronald Reagan's role in the television version of Kings Row (1955), which featured Jack Kelly, and ran for seven episodes as part of the Warner Bros. Presents series, rotating with a television version of Casablanca and Cheyenne, starring Clint Walker.

The ruggedly handsome Horton made dozens of appearances in movies and television shows between 1951 and 1989, including a small role in the film Bright Road starring Dorothy Dandridge, an episode of Ray Milland's sitcom Meet Mr. McNutley and on the syndicated Sheriff of Cochise, starring John Bromfield. Horton played Corporal Tom Vaughn in an episode "False Prophet" (1956) on Crossroads.

Horton appeared on seven episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, including memorably as a tennis-playing insurance investigator and blackmailer opposite Betsy von Furstenberg in "The Disappearing Trick", directed by Arthur Hiller.[12] He was cast as Danny Barnes in the episode "No Place to Hide" of The DuPont Show with June Allyson as well as appeared on the interview program Here's Hollywood and NBC's anthology series The Barbara Stanwyck Show.[13] He appeared several times on The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford.

In the 1960s, Horton made two 45 RPM singles on the Columbia Records label: "The Very Thought of You"/"Hey There" and "King of the Road"/"Julie".[6] The former's A-side was also the title track of an album he released on the same label.[14]

Horton performed for many years in theaters and nightclubs all over America, and in Australia as a singer (sometimes with his wife, the former Marilynn Bradley). In 1963, producer David Merrick hired him as the male lead in the musical version of N. Richard Nash's play The Rainmaker (titled 110 in the Shade).[6] The musical, with a score by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, ran for 330 performances on Broadway.[15]

Horton is also remembered for his offbeat role as an amnesiac in the 1965–1966 television series A Man Called Shenandoah.[11]: 649 

In 1966, he starred in The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones, the first Western made specifically for television and simultaneous distribution to cinemas in Europe.[16] It was made by MGM and co-starred Sal Mineo and Diane Baker.[17]

In 1968, two years later, Horton co-starred in The Green Slime, a low-budget Japanese-American science fiction film, directed by Kinji Fukasaku and shot entirely in Japan, but with an American and European cast. His character Jack Rankin leads the crew of a space station in a battle for survival against one-eyed tentacled aliens that rapidly multiply as they feed on the station's sources of electricity.[18][19]

From 1983 to 1984, Horton took a turn in daytime soap operas, playing the part of Whit McColl on As the World Turns.[7]

Personal life

[edit]

Horton was married to Mary Jobe from 1946 until 1950, and to Barbara Ruick from 1953 until 1956; both marriages ended in divorce.[20] In 1960, he married Marilynn Bradley, and they remained married until his death in 2016.[2]

Following his 85th birthday in 2009, Horton announced, through his publicist, that he no longer would be making any personal appearances because he had tired of traveling.[21]

Horton was a licensed pilot and aircraft owner.[22]

"His three greatest thrills were his first solo flight, a performance before Queen Elizabeth II, and being featured on Ralph Edwards' This Is Your Life. His frequent co-pilot was his French poodle, "Jamie".[23]

Initially a Republican, he supported the campaign of Dwight Eisenhower during the 1952 presidential election.[24]

Awards

[edit]

He was the recipient of several lifetime achievement awards for television, including the Golden Boot in 2004,[25] and also the Cowboy Spirit Award at the National Festival of the West. On his 90th birthday, he received the Western Legend Award.[26]

Death

[edit]

Horton was injured in a fall in November 2015, and was placed in hospice care.[2] He died on March 9, 2016, at the age of 91 in a Los Angeles rehabilitation clinic.[27]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1945 A Walk in the Sun Jack Uncredited
1951 The Tanks Are Coming Captain Bob Horner Uncredited
1952 Return of the Texan Dr. Jim Harris
1952 Apache War Smoke Tom Herrera
1952 Pony Soldier Jess Calhoun
1953 The Story of Three Loves Friendly Young Man on Ship (segment "Mademoiselle"), Uncredited
1953 Bright Road Dr. Mitchell
1953 Code Two Russ Hartley
1953 Arena Jackie Roach
1954 Prisoner of War Francis Aloysius Belney
1954 Men of the Fighting Lady Ensign Neil Conovan
1956 The Man Is Armed Dr. Michael Benning
1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Gil Larkin Season 1 Episode 37: "Decoy"
1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Mason Bridges Season 2 Episode 9: "The Crack of Doom"
1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents John Fenton Season 2 Episode 13: "Mr. Blanchard's Secret"
1957 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Wallace Donaldson Season 2 Episode 19: "A Bottle of Wine"
1958 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Walter Richmond Season 3 Episode 27: "Disappearing Trick"
1959 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Brad Taylor Season 4 Episode 18: "The Last Dark Step"
1960 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ray Marchand Season 5 Episode 38: "Hooked"
1957–62 Wagon Train Flint McCullough Last onscreen episode is Season 5, Episode 36; credit only in episode 37
1965-66 A Man Called Shenandoah "Shenandoah" TV series
1966 The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones Kiowa Jones TV movie
1968 The Green Slime Commander Jack Rankin
1969 The Spy Killer John Smith TV movie
1970 Foreign Exchange TV movie
1976 Police Woman Frank Armitage
1988 Red River Mr. Melville, Cattle Buyer TV movie
1989 Murder, She Wrote Jack Hutchings

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Mail Bag". Waco Tribune-Herald. Waco, TX. January 22, 1967. p. 56. Retrieved June 30, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ a b c Slotnik, Daniel E. (March 15, 2016). "Robert Horton, Handsome 'Wagon Train' Star Who Wanted More, Dies at 91". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Robert Horton, 91, Wagon Train actor". San Francisco Chronicle. March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  4. ^ Sage, Alyssa (March 15, 2016). "Robert Horton, 'Wagon Train' Actor, Dies at 91". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  5. ^ "Robert Horton Obituary". Legacy.com. March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Leszczak, Bob (2015). From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950–2000. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 157–58. ISBN 9781442242746.
  7. ^ a b McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television (4th ed.). New York City: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 62. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  8. ^ "TV Westerns – Wagon Train". FiftiesWeb. August 4, 1998. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  9. ^ Rosen, James (2008). Wagon train : the television series. Autumn Road Co. ISBN 978-0972868440.
  10. ^ "The Official Robert Fuller Website: Biography". Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7, p. 567.
  12. ^ "Alfred Hitchcock Presents : Disappearing Trick (1958) - Arthur Hiller | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie" – via www.allmovie.com.
  13. ^ "Archival Television Audio - Search Results". www.atvaudio.com.
  14. ^ Watts, Randy; Callahan, Mike; Edwards, David; Eyries, Patrice. "Columbia Main Series, Part 18: CL 2200-2299/CS 9000–9099 (1964–1965)". Bsnpubs.com. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  15. ^ "110 in the Shade – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  16. ^ "The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones (1966) - Alex March | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie" – via www.allmovie.com.
  17. ^ "The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones (1966)". BFI. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017.
  18. ^ "The Green Slime (1968) - Kinji Fukasaku | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie" – via www.allmovie.com.
  19. ^ "The Green Slime" – via mubi.com.
  20. ^ Aaker, Everett (2017). Television Western Players, 1960-1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 215. ISBN 9781476628561.
  21. ^ "Whatsnew". Roberthorton.com. November 17, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  22. ^ "Robert Horton Obituary". Syracuse Post Standard. March 14, 2016.
  23. ^ "Actor-Pilot ROBERT HORTON". Plane and Pilot. July 1967.
  24. ^ Motion Picture and Television Magazine, November 1952, page 34, Ideal Publishers
  25. ^ "Golden Boot Awards 2004". Golden Boot Awards. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  26. ^ "The National Day of The Cowboy". Brownpapertickets.com. June 18, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  27. ^ "Western Movies and More". Westernclippings.com. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
[edit]
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