About
"I'd read a great deal about Wyatt Earp and when I got the role, I decided I to try to become proficient with a Colt 45 pistol. I practiced about 1,000 hours or more on that quick-draw. When we went on the set, they didn't have to cut away -- they could just stay with me and all of the sudden the gun was out and the other guy was not there. I think it was the authenticity that also made the show go right into the top 5. It was the first adult Western."
In his over three-hour interview, Hugh O'Brian (1925-2016) speaks about moving to Los Angeles to embark on an acting career following his service during World War II. He describes his early career in films, working with such stars as Gene Autry. He talks about his work in several dramatic anthologies on early television and the title role on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, the series for which he is most well-known. He discusses many aspects of the series including the factual basis for his character, working with his co-stars, and the difficult location shooting. He speaks about his later television and film work and his devotion to HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership), a development organization for tomorrow's leaders that he formed in 1958. B-roll consists of stills from various series and films including The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Return to Tombstone (television movie), Love Has Many Faces (feature film), and Seminole (feature film). Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on March 29, 2005 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights

Hugh O'Brian on getting the starring role in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

Hugh O'Brian on the TV movie Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone

Hugh O'Brian on appearing as a guest-star on the premiere episode of The Virginian

Hugh O'Brian on his Youth program, HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth)

Hugh O'Brian on the legacy of of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his time in the Marine Corps; on moving to California
On his appearance on Blind Date with host Arlene Francis; on his first movie role in Beyond the Purple Hills with Gene Autry; on getting a contract at Universal; on the Rock Hudson film Seminole
Chapter 2
On working with film stars Ida Lupino, Lloyd Bridges, Rock Hudson, Buddy Hackett, and Marilyn Monroe
On his first memories of seeing television; on the challenges and advantages of working in live television; on appearing on several Fireside Theatres; on appearing on Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, The Loretta Young Show; on leaving Universal for 20th Century FOX
Chapter 3
On getting the starring role in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; on the real Wyatt Earp; on Earp's friend Al Jennings on set
On the historical accuracy of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; on doing most of his own stunts; on his toughest stunts on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Chapter 4
On his co-stars on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; on fan mail he received; on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp going off the air
On his favorite episodes of the show; on the show's attitude towards violence; on the legacy of of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
On not worrying that he'd be typecast; on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show with clown Emmett Kelly and an elephant; on appearing on a show with Ginger Rogers; on appearing on Playhouse 90; on Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
Chapter 5
On Lucille Ball lending him her dressing room; on appearing as a guest-star on the premiere episode of The Virginian; on playing two characters on an episode of Perry Mason; on appearing in "Double Jeopardy" on Bob Hope Presents the Chrylser Theatre with Lauren Bacall; on the series Search
On appearing on an episode of Charlie's Angels; on appearing in the pilot of Fantasy Island and an episode of The Love Boat; on reprising the role of Wyatt Earp in Paradise; on appearing in a Gunsmoke TV movie; on friend Charlton Heston; on the TV movie Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone; on working with John Wayne on the film The Shootist and Wayne refereeing a fight in the Marine Corps
Chapter 6
On founding his Youth-leadership organization HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth); on meeting Dr. Albert Schweitzer and being inspired by a visit to Africa
On the goals for the Youth program; on whether or not he's retiring from acting; on the letters he receives from the kids that go through his Youth Program
Chapter 7
On forming his Youth organization, HOBY; on the highlight of his career; on how he'd like to be remembered; on the future of television
On B-roll of pictures from his career - from Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, his film career at Universal, and for HOBY
Shows
Blind Date
Hugh O'Brian on his appearance on Blind Date with host Arlene Francis
Bob Hope Presents Chrysler Theatre
Hugh O'Brian on appearing in "Double Jeopardy" on Bob Hope Presents the Chrylser Theatre with Lauren Bacall
Charlie's Angels
Hugh O'Brian on playing Hugh Hefner on an episode of Charlie's Angels
Fantasy Island
Hugh O'Brian on appearing in the pilot of Fantasy Island
Fireside Theatre
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on several Fireside Theatres
Gunsmoke
Hugh O'Brian on appearing in a Gunsmoke TV movie
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hugh O'Brian on appearing in Hallmark Hall of Fame productions
Jackie Gleason Show, The
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show with clown Emmett Kelly and an elephant
Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The
Hugh O'Brian on working on practicing to use a gun for The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Hugh O'Brian on the beginnings of how he got the starring role in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Hugh O'Brian on getting the starring role in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; on the real life Wyatt Earp; on the historical accuracy of the show
Hugh O'Brian on his co-stars on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; on fan mail he received and why the show went off the air
Hugh O'Brian on his favorite episodes of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; on the violence on the program and the show's legacy
Hugh O'Brian on photos of him from The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Hugh O'Brian on photos of him from The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Hugh O'Brian on TV Guide caricatures/photos of him from The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Loretta Young Show, The
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Loretta Young Show
Love Boat, The
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on an episode of The Love Boat
Paradise
Hugh O'Brian on reprising the role of Wyatt Earp in Paradise
Perry Mason (1957-66)
Hugh O'Brian on playing two characters on an episode of Perry Mason
Playhouse 90
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on Playhouse 90
Playhouse 90: "Invitation to a Gunfighter"
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on the Playhouse 90 performance of "Invitation of a Gunfighter"
Search
Hugh O'Brian on the short-lived series Search
Virginian, The
Hugh O'Brian on appearing as a guest-star on the premiere episode of The Virginian
Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone
Hugh O'Brian on the TV movie Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone
Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him from Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Hugh O'Brian on the real life Wyatt Earp and his marriage to Josie Marcus
Sex & Violence
Hugh O'Brian on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp's attitude towards violence
TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)
Hugh O'Brian on the challenges and advantages of working in live television
World War II
Hugh O'Brian on his World War II service
Professions
Actor
Hugh O'Brian on his love of acting and whether or not he'll continue to act
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
Hugh O'Brian on the challenges and advantages of working in live television
Western Series
Hugh O'Brian on reprising the role of Wyatt Earp in Paradise
Hugh O'Brian on getting the starring role in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Hugh O'Brian on his co-stars on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; on fan mail he received and why the show went off the air
Hugh O'Brian on his favorite episodes of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; on the violence on the program and the show's legacy
People
John Anderson
Hugh O'Brian on working with John Anderson on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Desi Arnaz
Hugh O'Brian on Desi Arnaz
James Arness
Hugh O'Brian on appearing in a Gunsmoke TV movie
Gene Autry
Hugh O'Brian on his first movie role in Beyond the Purple Hills with Gene Autry
Hugh O'Brian on friend Gene Autry
Lauren Bacall
Hugh O'Brian on appearing in "Double Jeopardy" on Bob Hope Presents the Chrylser Theatre with Lauren Bacall
Lucille Ball
Hugh O'Brian on Lucille Ball lending him her dressing room
Hugh O'Brian on Lucille Ball
Anne Bancroft
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on the Playhouse 90 performance of "Invitation of a Gunfighter"
Gene Barry
Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him with other Western stars
Lloyd Bridges
Hugh O'Brian on working with Lloyd (Bud) Bridges
Raymond Burr
Hugh O'Brian on playing two characters on an episode of Perry Mason
James Drury
Hugh O'Brian on working with Virginian star James Drury
Anthony Franciosa
Hugh O'Brian on the short-lived series Search
Arlene Francis
Hugh O'Brian on his appearance on Blind Date with host Arlene Francis
Zsa Zsa Gabor
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on Playhouse 90 with Zsa Zsa Gabor
Mickey Gilbert
Hugh O'Brian on his toughest stunts on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Jackie Gleason
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show
Buddy Hackett
Hugh O'Brian on working with Buddy Hackett
Bill Hayes
Hugh O'Brian on working with manager Bill Hayes
Hugh Hefner with Emerson College
Hugh O'Brian on playing Hugh Hefner on an episode of Charlie's Angels
Charlton Heston
Hugh O'Brian on friend Charlton Heston
Rock Hudson
Hugh O'Brian on the Rock Hudson film Seminole
Hugh O'Brian on working with Rock Hudson
Loren Jones
Hugh O'Brian on doing most of his own stunts
Emmett Kelly
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show with clown Emmett Kelly and an elephant
Dirk London
Hugh O'Brian on working with Dirk London on on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Ida Lupino
Hugh O'Brian on working with Ida Lupino
Virginia Mayo
Hugh O'Brian on his appearance on Blind Date with host Arlene Francis
Marilyn Monroe
Hugh O'Brian on working with Marilyn Monroe
Ricardo Montalban
Hugh O'Brian on appearing in the pilot of Fantasy Island
Arthur Penn
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on the Playhouse 90 performance of "Invitation of a Gunfighter"
Ginger Rogers
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on a show with Ginger Rogers
Lash La Rue
Hugh O'Brian on working with Lash La Rue on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Aaron Spelling
Hugh O'Brian on appearing in the pilot of Fantasy Island
Donald J. Trump
Hugh O'Brian on Donald Trump and reality television
Lana Turner
Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him from set on a film with Lana Turner
Clint Walker
Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him with other Western stars
John Wayne
Hugh O'Brian on working with John Wayne on the film The Shootist and Wayne refereeing a fight in the Marine Corps
Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him from ABC
Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him The Shootist with John Wayne
Morgan Woodward
Hugh O'Brian on working with Morgan Woodward on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
Loretta Young
Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Loretta Young Show