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

#26. Show Rankings

When the show aired its first season in 1958-1959 it was ranked 4th most popular show on television. An incredible 14,547,450 viewers watched The Rifleman while there were 43,950,000 households with a television set in America at the time. Viewership steadily dropped off over the following four seasons, with the show eventually dropping out of the top 30 in 1962-1963.

#27. Stuntman Archie Butler

According to The Rifleman Director Arnold Laven, Stuntman Archie Butler appeared in more episodes than any other actor, with the exception of the core cast. Not only did he act as a double for Paul Fix, but with a rodeo background, Butler was on hand to handle any stunts needed for filming. Stuntman of Hollywood in the 1950s and 1960s were known as daredevils who took calculated risks. But especially when dealing with horses, there’s always risk involved with stunts. Butler also appeared in Across the Wide Missouri, Westward the Women and Bonanza.

#28. Chuck Connors' Relationship With Johnny Crawford

Although Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford had a close working relationship, they did not maintain a father-son dynamic off-screen. In an interview with AMC, Crawford was asked whether he saw Connors as a father figure. He replied, “Not really. I had great respect for him and I loved working with him but he was very different off screen. He was incorrigible; a practical joker. It was fun all the time but he wasn’t a good influence on me aside from his acting. He used a lot of four letter words and he was very imposing. He loved intimidating people. I got a kick out of him.”

#29. Johnny Made The Top 40 Five Times

Although life was already pretty crazy for the successful 13-year-old with The Rifleman, The Mouseketeers, The Lone Ranger, The Loretta Young Show and many more opportunities under his belt, he managed to make the Top 40 list five different times. With hits like “Cindy’s Birthday,” “Rumors,” “Your Nose Is Gonna Grow,” and “Proud” all reached the heights of the music industry due to his talent on and off screen in 1962 and 1963.

#30. Kevin Joseph Connors

Although the world knows him as Chuck Connors, Kevin Joseph Connors is the real man behind Lucas. Born on April 10, 1921, the Brooklyn Native struggled through the Great Depression with parents Allen and Marcella and sister Gloria. Somehow his mother always managed to feed her family and Connors experienced a relatively normal childhood as an altar boy. In his spare time he loved to play sandlot ball at the Bay Ridge Boy’s Club and truly found comfort in the wisdom he acquired from Bay Ridge Celtic coach John Flynn.

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

#26. Show Rankings

#27. Stuntman Archie Butler

#28. Chuck Connors' Relationship With Johnny Crawford

#29. Johnny Made The Top 40 Five Times

#30. Kevin Joseph Connors

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