Photo Coverage: Don Collier- Confessions Of An Acting Cowboy
The High Chaparral Reunion 2016 gathering was held from March 17th to March 20th with celebrities Don Collier, Rudy Ramos, Robert Fuller, BarBara Luna, Darby Hinton, Roberta Shore and Kent and Susan McCray in attendance. Penny McQueen, event producer, says the Reunion will return to Tucson, and will include a visit to Old Tucson Studios where the show was filmed. Check out photos from the show below!
Collier played the loyal and tough ranch foreman Sam Butler; and Ramos portrayed the quiet-yet-confident half-Pawnee Indian, Wind, in the classic Western series that aired on NBC from 1967 to 1971. McCray was the production manager of the show and wife Susan did casting.
Along with Darrow, Collier and Ramos, The High Chaparral starred Leif Erickson as Big John Cannon, Cameron Mitchell as Buck Cannon, Mark Slade as Blue Boy and Linda Cristal as Victoria. Other Cast members included Bob Hoy as Joe Butler, Rudólfo Acosta as Vaquero, Roberto Contreras as Pedro, Ted Markham as Reno and Jerry Summers as Ira Bean. Susan McCray's father, Oscar-winning composer Harry Sukman, orchestrated the show's music.
The High Chaparral is considered historic because it cast Latino and other minority actors in roles of character and depth in opposition to the stereotypes of the day during the height of the Civil Rights movement, a time when many ethnic acting opportunities weren't available. The show airs on INSP channel.
A special event of the weekend was a presentation of: "Don Collier, Confessions of an Acting Cowboy"
Veteran actor Don Collier, who has ridden the range in TV and movies for more than 60 years, reveals be- hind-the-camera stories and on-set antics in his one-man show, "Confessions of an Acting CowboyCollier, a famous figure with an even more famous deep voice, shares his work with stars John Wayne as well as the cast and crew of shows like The High Chaparral where he played ranch foreman Sam Butler. The robust and humble actor becomes personal scout and guide as he leads the audience along his fascinating timeline, uncovering the laughs and heart-warming stories of his life, his work and his friendships on and off the set.
For more information on Collier's career, visit his website: www.doncollier.com.
For information about future reunion dates please visit www.thehighchaparralreunion.com, or join in the group discussion on Facebook at www.facebook.com/highchaparralreunion.
Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Penny McQueen and Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier and Penny McQueen with Denney Willis and Patricia Willis of Arbuckles Coffee
Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier
Don Collier
Kent McCray and Don Collier