Fess Parker, a former college athlete at the University of Texas, initially pursued a career in drama, studying in the early 1950s. He made his film debut in Springfield Rifle (1952),followed by a limited number of movie appearances until Walt Disney signed him to star in the iconic "Davy Crockett" series.
In search of the perfect actor to portray the legendary frontiersman, Walt Disney screened James Arness in the sci-fi film Them! (1954),but it was Fess Parker's performance that caught his attention. Disney chose Parker over Arness, and the actor's subsequent appearance in "Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier" (1955) catapulted him to instant celebrity status.
Parker's appeal to children was immense, thanks to his iconic coon-skinned hat, the hit song "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett," Davy Crockett Bubble Gum Cards, and comic books. However, the craze surrounding the character subsided almost as quickly as it began in 1956, leaving Parker typecast.
Despite this, Parker continued to appear in Disney movies, including Old Yeller (1957),which dealt with the early years of Davy Crockett. He also took on non-Crockett roles, but by 1959, he was struggling to replicate the success he had achieved as Crockett.
Parker made guest appearances on various television shows, but his attempt to revive his career with the series Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1962) was unsuccessful. Unable to secure the rights to play Crockett from Disney, Parker attempted to revive the character in the TV series Daniel Boone (1964),which he starred in for six years.
During his time on Daniel Boone, Parker's red-headed wife, Kathleen, played a significant role in the color series, and Parker's real estate ventures proved to be a profitable venture. However, Parker was later forced to sue the producers of Daniel Boone over the profits generated by the series, marking the end of his screen career.
