Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars

During the 50's and 60's western movies and television shows hit a high in popularity. Thanks to a handful of all-American western movie and TV stars the genre took off.

Do you recall these top ten western movie and TV stars?

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars - #1 - John Wayne

John Wayne was a man's man. He was big, tough, and didn't take crap off anybody. He is the iconic American cowboy.

John Wayne was born Marion Mitchell Morrison, May 26, 1907. An impressive figure on screen. John Wayne was of an imposing height and possessed a distinctive gate and voice. His was a unique set of characteristic that seemed to follow him on and off screen. That may be because John Wayne spent part of his boyhood on a ranch, among other things, learning to ride a horse.

Wayne's list of filmography is impressive, among his best known westerns are "True Grit," "The Sons of Katie Elder," "The Searchers," and "El Dorado." The list goes on and on, as it should for one of America's greatest western movie celebrities.

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars - #2 - Clint Eastwood

For all the admirable, good qualities in John Wayne, Clint Eastwood was forever the shady cowboy. His cowboys always had a dark side and often straddled the lines of the law. Eastwood was a cowboy with a fast gun but a big heart, and fans saw that in many of his moves. "The Outlaw Josey Wales" is one of the best examples of Eastwood as a duplicitous cowboy.

Fans love Clint Eastwood westerns. He did for western movie fans what "Dirty Harry" did for Eastwood's action adventure movies.

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars - #3 Randolph Scott

Randolph Scott is another magnificent actor in the western movie and TV genre. During his era Randolph Scott was one of the most popular western stars during his era. Regardless of the role in which he was cast, Scott was always a good guy and audiences never failed to find redemption in the characters portrayed by him.

Randolph Scott sat tall in the saddle with a commanding presence. He had the ability to fill a screen and steal the show. Among Randolph's memorial western movies include "Ride the High Country," "Rage at Dawn," and "The Tall T."

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars - #4 Joel McCrea

Joel McCrea could play a good, good guy and a good, bad guy. He was popular for his role's in American westerns.

McCrae was born November 5, 1905, in California. He grew up amidst the hubbub of movie making and was quickly attracted to the business. He was always attracted to westerns, but initially had a difficult getting a role in them. Will Rogers took to the young man and helped give him a leg-up in the business. Once Hollywood discovered how pleased movie-goers were with McCrae he had a string of successful westerns.

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars - #5 Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy was a true American hero who became one of America's iconic cowboys. He was the most decorated combat soldier of WWII and a celebrated movie star. Though smaller in stature than some of our other top ten western movie and TV stars, he was no less of a man's man.

"Bad Boy" was Audie's third movie, but it was the one that launched him into a career as one of America's favorite cowboys in western movies. Audie Murphy's successful western film career includes "The Kid from Texas," "Kansas Raiders," and "Tumbleweed." Murphy also made an appearance in at least one episode of "Gunsmoke."

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars - #6 Jimmy Stewart

James (Jimmy) Stewart became such a pronounced star that people often forget that he was one of the great stars of the western genre. As he succeeded in most of his roles, Jimmy Stewart succeeded at playing a cowboy. Jimmy Stewart was always a good guy that won your heart, regardless of his role.

Jimmy Stewart was an Indiana boy, born May 20, 1908, who made his way to Hollywood and made it big as a leading man in a variety of genres. Jimmy Stewart westerns that are worth your time include "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," "The Naked Spur," and "The Man from Laramie."

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars - #7 James Arness

James Arness grew to fame among western TV fans as Marshall Matt Dillon of TV's "Gunsmoke." Thanks to Arness and a fabulous cast "Gunsmoke" was one of the longest running shows in American TV history. Real cowboy fans still watch reruns of "Gunsmoke."

James Arness started out playing mostly bad guy roles because of his size. It was the agent who spotted John Wayne who ultimately singled out Arness. He introduced the two and Arness worked under John Wayne, whom he considered a mentor. It was John Wayne who recommended Arness for the role of Marshall Matt Dill on "Gunsmoke."

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars #8 Clint Walker

Clint Walker starred as Cheyenne Bodie in "Cheyenne," a favorite, old TV black and white cowboy show. Clint Walker was a big man with a fast gun. Walker always played the good guy, and is credited with starting the western TV show craze of the 50's.

Top Ten Western Movie and TV Stars #9 & #10 - James Drury and Doug McClure

James Drury and Doug McClure have to be listed among America's favorite western stars together. These two cowboys go together like boots and spurs. Working together Drury and McClure made "The Virginian" one of the best westerns ever made for television.