"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."

    About This Interview

    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.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
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    Thumbnail of Hugh O

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

    10:45
    Thumbnail of Hugh O

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

    02:18
    Thumbnail of Hugh O

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

    02:42
    Thumbnail of Hugh O

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

    07:01
    Thumbnail of Hugh O

    Hugh O'Brian on the legacy of of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    01:50
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his childhood and early influences; on his time in the Marine Corps; on moving to California

    13:08

    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

    15:58

    Chapter 2

    On working with film stars Ida Lupino, Lloyd Bridges, Rock Hudson, Buddy Hackett, and Marilyn Monroe

    16:37

    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

    12:06

    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

    22:20

    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

    06:26

    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

    09:09

    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

    06:36

    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

    12:49

    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

    13:06

    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

    16:39

    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

    18:41

    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

    10:09

    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

    13:55

    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

    14:52

    Blind Date

    Hugh O'Brian on his appearance on Blind Date with host Arlene Francis

    05:10

    Bob Hope Presents Chrysler Theatre

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing in "Double Jeopardy" on Bob Hope Presents the Chrylser Theatre with Lauren Bacall

    01:04

    Charlie's Angels

    Hugh O'Brian on playing Hugh Hefner on an episode of Charlie's Angels

    00:49

    Fantasy Island

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing in the pilot of Fantasy Island

    02:00

    Fireside Theatre

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on several Fireside Theatres

    00:27

    Gunsmoke

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing in a Gunsmoke TV movie

    01:35

    Hallmark Hall of Fame

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing in Hallmark Hall of Fame productions

    01:57

    Jackie Gleason Show, The

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show with clown Emmett Kelly and an elephant

    05:08

    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

    00:46

    Hugh O'Brian on the beginnings of how he got the starring role in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    03:26

    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

    28:46

    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

    09:09

    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

    06:36

    Hugh O'Brian on photos of him from The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    01:04

    Hugh O'Brian on photos of him from The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    02:11

    Hugh O'Brian on TV Guide caricatures/photos of him from The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    00:48

    Loretta Young Show, The

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Loretta Young Show

    02:12

    Love Boat, The

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on an episode of The Love Boat

    01:24

    Paradise

    Hugh O'Brian on reprising the role of Wyatt Earp in Paradise

    01:54

    Perry Mason (1957-66)

    Hugh O'Brian on playing two characters on an episode of Perry Mason

    01:31

    Playhouse 90

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on Playhouse 90

    03:10

    Playhouse 90: "Invitation to a Gunfighter"

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on the Playhouse 90 performance of "Invitation of a Gunfighter"

    01:33

    Search

    Hugh O'Brian on the short-lived series Search

    05:45

    Virginian, The

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

    02:42

    Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone

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

    02:18

    Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him from Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone

    00:38

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Hugh O'Brian on the real life Wyatt Earp and his marriage to Josie Marcus

    07:11

    Sex & Violence

    Hugh O'Brian on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp's attitude towards violence

    02:43

    TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

    Hugh O'Brian on the challenges and advantages of working in live television

    02:21

    World War II

    Hugh O'Brian on his World War II service

    03:36

    Actor

    Hugh O'Brian on his love of acting and whether or not he'll continue to act

    02:33

    Classic Anthology Series

    Hugh O'Brian on the challenges and advantages of working in live television

    02:21

    Western Series

    Hugh O'Brian on reprising the role of Wyatt Earp in Paradise

    01:54

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

    28:46

    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

    09:09

    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

    06:36

    John Anderson

    Hugh O'Brian on working with John Anderson on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    00:32

    Desi Arnaz

    Hugh O'Brian on Desi Arnaz

    01:15

    James Arness

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing in a Gunsmoke TV movie

    01:35

    Gene Autry

    Hugh O'Brian on his first movie role in Beyond the Purple Hills with Gene Autry

    02:06

    Hugh O'Brian on friend Gene Autry

    00:27

    Lauren Bacall

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing in "Double Jeopardy" on Bob Hope Presents the Chrylser Theatre with Lauren Bacall

    01:55

    Lucille Ball

    Hugh O'Brian on Lucille Ball lending him her dressing room

    02:05

    Hugh O'Brian on Lucille Ball

    01:48

    Anne Bancroft

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on the Playhouse 90 performance of "Invitation of a Gunfighter"

    01:33

    Gene Barry

    Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him with other Western stars

    01:45

    Lloyd Bridges

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Lloyd (Bud) Bridges

    02:06

    Raymond Burr

    Hugh O'Brian on playing two characters on an episode of Perry Mason

    01:31

    James Drury

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Virginian star James Drury

    02:43

    Anthony Franciosa

    Hugh O'Brian on the short-lived series Search

    04:14

    Arlene Francis

    Hugh O'Brian on his appearance on Blind Date with host Arlene Francis

    05:10

    Zsa Zsa Gabor

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on Playhouse 90 with Zsa Zsa Gabor

    00:25

    Mickey Gilbert

    Hugh O'Brian on his toughest stunts on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    02:03

    Jackie Gleason

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show

    05:08

    Buddy Hackett

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Buddy Hackett

    04:32

    Bill Hayes

    Hugh O'Brian on working with manager Bill Hayes

    02:06

    Hugh Hefner with Emerson College

    Hugh O'Brian on playing Hugh Hefner on an episode of Charlie's Angels

    00:49

    Charlton Heston

    Hugh O'Brian on friend Charlton Heston

    01:27

    Rock Hudson

    Hugh O'Brian on the Rock Hudson film Seminole

    02:27

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Rock Hudson

    00:49

    Loren Jones

    Hugh O'Brian on doing most of his own stunts

    01:37

    Emmett Kelly

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Jackie Gleason Show with clown Emmett Kelly and an elephant

    04:02

    Dirk London

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Dirk London on on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    00:32

    Ida Lupino

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Ida Lupino

    06:27

    Virginia Mayo

    Hugh O'Brian on his appearance on Blind Date with host Arlene Francis

    05:10

    Marilyn Monroe

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Marilyn Monroe

    01:45

    Ricardo Montalban

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing in the pilot of Fantasy Island

    02:00

    Arthur Penn

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on the Playhouse 90 performance of "Invitation of a Gunfighter"

    01:33

    Ginger Rogers

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on a show with Ginger Rogers

    01:01

    Lash La Rue

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Lash La Rue on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    00:26

    Aaron Spelling

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing in the pilot of Fantasy Island

    02:00

    Donald J. Trump

    Hugh O'Brian on Donald Trump and reality television

    01:02

    Lana Turner

    Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him from set on a film with Lana Turner

    00:43

    Clint Walker

    Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him with other Western stars

    01:45

    John Wayne

    Hugh O'Brian on working with John Wayne on the film The Shootist and Wayne refereeing a fight in the Marine Corps

    04:58

    Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him from ABC

    00:41

    Hugh O'Brian on a photo of him The Shootist with John Wayne

    00:24

    Morgan Woodward

    Hugh O'Brian on working with Morgan Woodward on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

    01:28

    Loretta Young

    Hugh O'Brian on appearing on The Loretta Young Show

    02:12

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