'Davy Crockett' Star Fess Parker Dies at 85

Actor Fess Parker, known to television audiences for playing American folk heroes 'Davy Crockett' and 'Daniel Boone' has passed away at the age of 85, a family spokeswoman said on Thursday, March 18.

Parker was a contract player for Warner Brothers appearing in small roles in various films including 'Island in the Sky', 'The Bounty Hunter', 'Old Yeller', 'Hell is for Heroes' and 'Battle Cry'. In 1962 Parker starred in the television series 'Mr Smith Goes to Washington'. Other television roles include 'City Detective', 'Annie Oakley' and 'Climb an Angry Mountain'. During the early 1970's, Parker briefly starred in his own show 'The Fess Parker Show'. Most notably, Parker played the legendary 'Davy Crockett' in the Disney series that aired during the 1950's, and went on to play 'David Boone' in the 1960's NBC television series of the same name.

Parker retired from Hollywood in the 1970's, concentrating his efforts into business ventures, including a luxury hotel in Santa Barbara and a winery that bears his name.