Who is Paul Brinegar?
Paul Brinegar was an American character actor well known for his roles in Western films and TV shows. His rugged good looks and gravelly voice gave authenticity to every role he played. He appeared in over 70 movies and numerous television shows throughout his career, including “Rawhide,” “Gunsmoke,” and “The Wild Wild West.”
In Addition, He was also a talented musician and often played the harmonica on set during breaks in filming.
| About | Info |
| Full Name | Paul Brinegar |
| Profession | American Character Actor |
| Popular For | He is best known for his roles in three Western series: The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Rawhide, and Lancer. |
Birthday and Zodiac
| Age | He died at 78 Years old |
| Date of Birth | December 19, 1917 |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Died | March 27, 1995 (Los Angeles, California, United States) |
| Birthplace | Tucumcari, New Mexico, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | N/A |
Education
| School | N/A |
| University | N/A |
Physical Stats
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.71m.) |
| Eye Color | N/A |
| Weight | N/A |
Net Worth
| Estimated Net worth | N/A |
Family and Relationship
| Father | N/A |
| Mother | N/A |
| Spouse | Shirley Talbott (m. 1962–1995) |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Children | 2 (Name Unknown) |
Social Media
| Social Media | N/A |
Biography TimeLine
He was an American actor best known for his roles in classic westerns like “Rawhide” and “The Big Valley.” Born in California in 1917, He began acting in the 1950s and appeared in over 80 films and television shows. Here is a timeline of his life and career.
- December 19, 1917: Paul Brinegar is born in Tucumcari, New Mexico.
- In the 1950s: Began acting and playing minor roles in films and television shows.
- 1959: Appears in the Western TV series “Rawhide” as Wishbone, the cook. He becomes a regular cast member of the series until 1966.
- The 1960s-70s: Appears in several Western films and television shows, including “The Virginian,” “Gunsmoke,” and “Bonanza.”
- 1965: Appears in the film “The Rounders” with Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda.
- 1967: Appears in the Western film “Chuka” with Rod Taylor and Ernest Borgnine.
- 1968-69: Appears in the TV series “The Big Valley” as Silas, the ranch foreman.
- 1971: Appears in the Western film “Support Your Local Gunfighter” with James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette.
- 1974: Appears in the film “McQ” with John Wayne.
- March 27, 1995: He dies in Los Angeles, California, at 77.
His career spanned over four decades, leaving an indelible mark on the Western genre. He was known for his distinctive voice and ability to bring humour and depth to his characters. From his breakout role as Wishbone in “Rawhide” to his memorable turn as Silas in “The Big Valley,” His performances continue to entertain and inspire audiences today. He is remembered as one of the greatest character actors in the history of Hollywood Westerns.
Early Life, Age, Family Tree and Education
He was born Paul Alden Brinegar Jr. on December 19, 1917, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He was the youngest of five children and grew up on a ranch, where he learned to ride horses and work with cattle. He studied journalism and played football at the University of Oklahoma.
His early life was characterized by his love of the outdoors and his upbringing on a ranch. These experiences would later inform many of his roles in Western films and TV shows. After college, He worked as a journalist for a time before moving to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. He started as a stuntman and worked up to more prominent roles, eventually becoming a sought-after character actor.
Professional Life
The professional career of He began in the late 1940s when he started working as a stuntman and bit player in films such as “The Green Promise” and “The Devil’s Doorway.” He quickly transitioned to more prominent roles, appearing in films such as “Red River” and “Broken Arrow” in the early 1950s.
His breakthrough role came in the TV series “Rawhide,” where he played the role of trail boss Wishbone for eight seasons. The show was a huge success and made Brinegar a household name. In Addition to his work on “Rawhide,” He also appeared in numerous other television shows and films throughout his career, including “Gunsmoke,” “The Wild Wild West,” and “Bonanza.”
Known for his jagged good looks and gravelly voice, He became a natural fit for Western roles. On the other hand, He was also a talented musician and often played the harmonica on set during film breaks. He was a beloved entertainment industry figure known for his professionalism and willingness to help younger actors.
Personal Life, Relationship and Children
He was known for his humble and down-to-earth personality, which extended to his personal life. He was married twice, first to Shirley Talbott and later to Lois M. Saunders. He had two children with Talbott: a son named Paul Jr. and a daughter named Joanna. He was a devoted father and spent much of his free time with his family.
Net Worth
He was an American actor who contributed to numerous movies and TV shows. His net worth at the time of his death in 1995 is unknown, as he lived a relatively private life and did not discuss his finances publicly. However, it is believed that he had accumulated considerable wealth through his acting career, which spanned several decades.
Trivia
- He was conceived and born on December 19, 1917, in Tucumcari, New Mexico.
- Additionally, He was a rodeo cowboy and competed in rodeos throughout the United States.
- Appears in over 100 films and TV shows during his career, including the classic Western films, “The Magnificient Seven”, and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”
- He was a close friend of actor James Arness and appeared in several episodes of Arness’s hit TV series “Gunsmoke.”
- He died at the age of 77 in LA on March 27, 1995, of emphysema.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul Brinegar was an American character actor best known for his roles in Western films and TV shows.
He was born on December 19, 1917, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, United States.
He died on March 27, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Some of His most famous roles include Wishbone on the TV series “Rawhide” and Joe Scarlett on “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp”.
He appeared in numerous TV shows and movies throughout his career, including “Gunsmoke”, “Bonanza”, “Little House on the Prairie”, and “The Wild Bunch”.
No, He was never nominated for an award during his career.
He served in the United States Army during World War II.
He attended the University of Oklahoma and majored in drama.
His first acting role was in the 1948 movie “Red River”.
His last acting role was in the 1994 TV movie “Roswell”.
Yes, He had two children with his wife, Shirley Talbott.
He was a Christian Scientist.
He enjoyed painting and was a talented artist.
One of His most famous quotes is from his role as Wishbone on “Rawhide”: “I’m old enough to know what’s right and young enough not to give a damn.”
He is remembered as a talented character actor for his memorable roles in Western films and TV shows.