Posted on 08/16/2005 6:50:03 PM PDT by lunarbicep
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.
Good on him.I must confess I have never ran across any of his wine in my neck of the woods.
My B-day too! And Madonnas...and Elvis died on this day
"Born on a mountain top in Tennessee......."
Happy Birthday Daniel!
He was the dad in Old Yeller too. Great movie, especially good for boys.
So this is to make us all feel old?
He makes some great wine too. Although his winery is "Frass Winery" in the movie "Sideways" and is mocked by all involved.
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Well, good for him! I've seen his wine, but never tried it ... out of our price range.
Tell the truth, you started singing the song, didn't you!
Happy Birthday Fess Parker! And many more happy ones.
There's probably some DVDs out with the old Dan'l Boone show.
I joined his fan club eons ago.
Do you remember "The Great Locomotive Chase?"
Uhhh, is my calendar running fast, or is this an old story?
My Dad and I used to set up a tent with chairs and blankets in the livingroom and play Cowboys and Indians...all because of shows like this on TV. What a great memory!
His shows would either not be allowed on TV today or would be completely sanitized by the PC crowd. The Indians would all be wise, peaceful, and more refined than any of the white men who would be criticized for chopping down trees, inappropriately using the rivers and streams, and hunting furry little animals. The coonskin cap would have to go and no more killing bears. All the knives and hatchets and guns would have to go as well.
Is that a recent photo of him? He looks damn good for 81.
If Davey Crockett came out today..PETA would protest on behalf of raccoons...
GOD bless Ye very Much!!!
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