Award winning documentary THE UNLUCKY 13. This episode of A WORD ON WESTERNS, has received 2023 Spur Finalist Honors for Best Documentary Script by the Western Writers of America (WWA) and the Will Rogers Silver Medallion Award for Western Film Documentary. It is very humbling and gratifying to know that our bringing recognition to these performers has been embraced by such highly respected organizations as the WWA and the Will Rogers Medallion Awards. It is, indeed, an honor.

HOLLYWOOD WESTERN STARS WHO DIED TOO SOON was a special hour-long A WORD ON WESTERNS episode honoring 12 artists and filmmakers who made westerns and whose careers were cut short. The response from our regular viewers and film fans around the world has been phenomenal, so I decided to put together a sequel and ended up with an even longer special episode honoring 13 more of those performers who have given us so much entertainment in westerns and other genres, too. Here then is THE UNLUCKY 13 WESTERN STARS WHO DIED TOO SOON.

You may be surprised at some of the people who died at such a young age. I know I was. With their on-screen work, this diverse group of actors has left an indelible impression on me and their audiences. When we are young, we see them on screen, and they stay with us forever. If we are lucky, they continue to entertain us as we grow older, and they transition from youthful performers to character roles. No matter how long their careers last, it’s always sad when they pass.

When they die too young, it’s a tragedy. A loss for their family, friends and for us, co-workers, viewers, and fans.

I’ve been thinking about those who contributed to the western genre who died and couldn’t continue, those who died early in their life, cutting their careers short. Once again, I picked 50 years old as the cut-off age. Most in our tribute died younger. I wish they had all lived longer to give us years more of their work to enjoy. May they all Rest in Peace.

I still enjoy seeing them on film and in repeats. I hope you do, too.

THE UNLUCKY 13 WHO DIED TOO YOUNG

1. ART ACORD April 17, 1890 – Jan 4, 1931 40
2. PEGGY CASTLE Dec 22, 1927 – Aug 11, 1973 45
3. JEFF CHANDLER Dec 15, 1918 – June 17, 1961 42
4. PAT CONWAY Jan 9, 1931 – Apr 24, 1981 50
5. BRANDON DE WILDE April 9, 1942 – July 6, 1972 30
6. ERIC FLEMING July 4, 1925 – Sept 28, 1966 41
7. JOAN HACKETT March 1, 1934 – Oct 8, 1983 49
8. ED HINTON March 26, 1919 – Oct 12, 1958 39
9. PETER LEE LAWRENCE Feb 21, 1944 – April 20, 1974 30
10. RICHARD LONG Dec 17, 1927 – Dec 21, 1974 47
11. TYRONE POWER May 5, 1914 – Nov 15, 1958 44
12. GAIL RUSSELL Sept 21, 1924 – Aug 27, 1961 36
13. TOM TYLER Aug 9, 1903 – May 3, 1954 50

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to check out our previous tribute to some of our favorites who died too young. Here's the link. https://youtu.be/GUZWwrOEkc0

Our catalogue of videos is filled with goodies. Thanks for watching.

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