Fess Parker, the lanky actor best known for playing Davy Crockett in the 1950s and Daniel Boone a decade later, died Thursday of natural causes. He was 85.
Breitbart.com said, “Family spokeswoman Sao Anash said Parker, who was also TV’s Daniel Boone and later a major California winemaker and developer, died at his Santa Ynez Valley home. His death comes on the 84th birthday of his wife of 50 years, Marcella.”
We pause now for a personal story from IHateTheMedia.com’s editor:
A few years ago we scheduled a weekend trip to California’s Napa Valley. Reservations were made at a lovely bed and breakfast that had been highly recommended.
About a week before our trip, we got a phone call from the manager of the B&B.
“You reserved our largest room,” she said, “which has an oversized bed. Would you be willing to switch rooms in order to accommodate a very tall guest who really needs the larger bed?” When we hesitated, she quickly told us that the guest was Fess Parker, who stood 6’ 6” tall even without his coonskin cap.
Fess Parker? Davy Crockett? My boyhood idol? Hell, yes. I agreed to switch rooms under one condition – that Fess sit next to me at breakfast the next morning.
It couldn’t have worked out better. Our room was perfect, Fess got a good night’s sleep in the larger bed, and then he entertained us with story after story the next morning at breakfast.
Rest in peace, Fess. May you have an oversized bed for eternity.
View Comments (2)
That was a good story and not unlike mine of him.My Dad was a Squadron Ex.Officer at George AFB Ca. in the mid 60's when Paul Burke from the show 12 O'Clock High wanted a publicity flight in a modern Fighter Jet. My Dad gave him that flight in a 2 seat trainer version of a F-106. After dinner that night our family was invited to watch a filming in Hollywood of the show. When we were driving around lost looking for the studio Fess Parker was walking down the street so my Dad asked for directions to the studio and explained our invitation, After directions Fess Parker invited us to his studio, which we acepted and we met all the people from that show. Even though we were nobodys we were treated very nicely and the Stars were very friendly. I don't think you could get that from todays bigshots.
Fess Parker, the guy who made all kids of my day believe they could whip their weight in bears