Secrets Of TV’s The Rifleman: More Than Just Guns And Good Times

Glenn Strange appeared in six episodes of The Rifleman playing the same role in different variations: Cole, the stagecoach driver, in “Duel of Honor” (episode 7); a stagecoach shotgun guard in “The Dead-eye Kid” (episode 20); Joey, a stagecoach driver, in “The Woman” (episode 32); as well as an unnamed stagecoach driver in “The Blowout” (episode 43), “The Spiked Rifle” (episode 49) and “Miss Bertie” (episode 90). Strange, who was 6′ 5″ tall, was well known for his roles in horror films and westerns. He played Frankenstein’s monster in House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein. He also famously played the bartender Sam Noonan in Gunsmoke.

Jack Kruschen played the doctor in two episodes of The Rifleman: “Trail of Hate” (episode 77) and “Baranca” (episode 82). He also played Clyde Bailey in “The Retired Gun” (episode 17) and Sammy in “One Went to Denver” (episode 25). The Canadian actor started his career in theater before transitioning to movies and television. He was in show biz for over 50 years, appearing in more than 200 roles. He occasionally played a villain but more often than not was cast in ethnic roles, often portraying angry or emotional Italian or Jewish characters. In 1960 he was nominated for an Academy Award for The Apartment.

Robert Foulk appeared in five episodes of The Rifleman. He played the blacksmith in “The Second Witness” (episode 23), “Three Legged Terror” (episode 30) and “Outlaw’s Inheritance” (episode 38). He played Johannson in “The Raid” (episode 37) and Herbert Newman in “The Lost Treasure of Canyon Town” (episode 99). When he launched his show biz career he worked as a dialogue coach. He wound up appearing in over 200 films and TV shows, including the westerns Last of the Badmen, The Tall Stranger, The Left-Handed Gun and Cast a Long Shadow. He also played the bartender in Wichita Man.

Fay Roope played Doc Burrage in two episodes, “The Panic” (episode 47) and “The Legacy” (episode 51). He also played Jeff Stacey in “The Brother-In-Law” (episode 5) and Baynes Barton in “The Spiked Rifle” (episode 49). He appeared in many westerns, including The Lone Ranger, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Texan, Rawhide and Cheyenne. Other TV credits include Mr.&Mrs. North, Dragnet, Perry Mason, and Twilight Zone. He had uncredited roles in From Here to Eternity, You’re in the Navy Now and The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Sidney Blackmer appeared in three episodes of The Rifleman as Judge Hanavan. He starred in the pilot episode, “The Sharpshooter,” as well as “The Safe Guard” (episode 8) and “The Photographer” (episode 18). He launched his acting career during the silent film era in a career and co-starred with The Rifleman actor Paul Fix in The High and The Mighty (1954). His most famous role was as Roman Castevet in Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby (1968). He also played President Theodore Roosevelt seven times in films and teleplays. He won a Tony Award as Best Actor in a dramatic role for the Broadway production of Come Back, Little Sheba in 1950.