 Actor
Fess Parker of Santa Barbara, California has
been called by some an American icon. His
portrayal of frontiersmen Davy Crockett and
Daniel Boone impacted millions of young viewers
in the late 1950's and 60's.
Originally from Texas, Parker
enrolled at the University of Texas where he
graduated in 1950 with a degree in history.
Moving to California, he completed academic work
on his Masters degree in drama at the University
of Southern California. Parker began acting
professionally in 1951 as a stage performer in
the national company of Mister Roberts. In 1954,
Walt Disney signed Parker to play the title role
in Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier.
In 1964 Parker began filming his
network television series, Daniel Boone. During
six years as one of the highest rated shows of
its time, Parker not only starred in the series
but co-produced it and directed five of its most
popular episodes. Parker continued to star in
numerous box office hits for Disney, Paramount
and Warner Brothers' Studios, while laying the
foundation for his second career as real estate
developer.
Blending his gracious Texas
hospitality and tremendous eye for real estate
development, Parker built his first resort hotel
in Santa Barbara in 1986. Set on 23.5 ocean
front acres, Fess Parker's Double Tree Resort
faces one of Santa Barbara's nicest beaches.
Parker is planning to open a new luxury
waterfront hotel in 2004, adjacent to 10 acres
of public parkland donated by the Parker Family
Trust.
In 1987, Parker purchased a 714
acre ranch thirty five miles north of Santa
Barbara, in the Santa Ynez Valley, where he
promptly set about planning and establishing
Fess Parker's Winery & Vineyard. His son, Eli
(Fess III), is President and Director of
Winemaking & Vineyard Operations. His daughter,
Ashley, is Vice President of Marketing & Sales.
Together, as a family, the Parkers’ have
received numerous awards for producing some of
the region's finest wines.
In
1998, Parker purchased The Grand Hotel in Los
Olivos, just minutes from his winery. The
charming 21 room Victorian-style Inn is now
called “Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn & Spa”.
Visiting guests may have the opportunity to see
the legend himself, as he frequently dines in
the restaurant.
Parker and his wife, Marcella,
have lived in Santa Barbara County for more than
thirty years. Active in several local and
national civic organizations, the Parkers are
passionate about The Performing Arts Scholarship
Foundation of Santa Barbara. The Foundation
helps to develop young musicians vocally and
instrumentally for future careers.
They have raised two children and
currently have 11 grandchildren. Fess Parker
continues to be active in all aspects of his
life and has much more in store for the future.
http://www.fessparker.com/fess_parker.htm |
 Clint
Walker, a twin, was born in Hartford, Illinois. It was
depression years and the family was forced to move from town to
town, wherever there was work. Clint began his own wandering at
the age of 16 when he quit school to work in a factory. He later
worked on the local river boats, then joined the Merchant
Marines at the age of 17.
After a stint in the oil fields of Brownwood, Texas, Clint moved
to Long Beach, California, then on to Las Vegas, where he worked
as a deputy sheriff at the Sands Hotel. There, he met many
celebrities who encouraged him to try his luck in Hollywood. He
did just that.
As luck
would have it, Clint was quickly introduced to Cecil B. DeMille,
who took a liking to him and offered him a part in his latest
film, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Shortly thereafter, Clint was cast
in the role of “Cheyenne Bodie” in the series CHEYENNE, which
ran for eight years. CHEYENNE became television’s first
hour-long western and established Clint as one of the new
medium’s biggest stars.
When
Clint decided to quit the show, he was cast in a number of
films, including NONE BUT THE BRAVE, THE GREAT BANK ROBBERY, THE
DIRTY DOZEN, SEND ME NO FLOWERS, NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY, FORT
DOBBS, YELLOWSTONE KELLY, and GOLD OF THE SEVEN SAINTS. Clint,
who has a beautiful singing voice, also recorded an album of
songs and ballads for Warner Bros.
After
CHEYENNE, Clint made another television series, KODIAK, and a
number of features and movies for television, including THE
BOUNTY MAN, YUMA, and SNOWBEAST. Then came a freak accident at
Mammoth Mountain, where a ski pole pierced Clint’s heart. Two
months later, he was back at work in Spain co-starring with
Telly Salvalas in another western, PANCHO VILLA.
Since
then Clint has been involved in other projects through the 90’s,
such as THE GAMBLER RETURNS, a KUNG FU episode, and he joined
some of his pals from THE DIRTY DOZEN to do voices for the
production of SMALL SOLDIERS.
He
continues to turn down roles that he feels are in bad taste, and
when the right project comes along, Clint is ready to get back
in front of the camera.
http://www.clintwalker.com/display_html.php?page=/html/bio.html |
