Michael Ansara - starring in "Law Of The Plainsman"

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

Premiering in October, 1959, the weekly TV series recounted the exploits of Sam Buckhart, born among the Apache Indians but eventually educated at Harvard University and who became a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the New Mexico territory of the 1880's. In the series, he trained under Marshal Andy Morrison in Santa Fe and lived in a rooming house run by Martha Commager along with an orphaned 8-year-old girl he rescued.

The Buchhart character originated and spun-off from two episodes of The Rifleman TV Show: The Indian and The Raid.

The very charismatic Michael Ansara played the lead role. This was one of my favorite TV shows growing up in early 60's. Anyone from that era who remembers this western, one that had a positive image of Native Americans? Of course it would have been better for the role to have gone to a real Native American, but unfortunately that was Hollywood of the 1950s and 60s (and to a certain extent today, too).

[CBGLuthier]

1. Huge Ansara fan here

Just a little too young (born in 61) to remember that show but his hundreds of TV appearances, including an excellent turn on Babylon 5, have delighted me most of my life.

I just love his voice more than anything. Pretty good looking guy too to boot.

He did end up playing native a lot but at least he looked right in the part. Sometimes the guys who "painted-up" just looked so damn wrong it was funny as hell.

Oh and he got to sleep with Barbara Eden so I envy the hell out of him too. :-)

[tmooses]

2. I've always been a big fan. I do recall the Sam Buckhart character.

Unfortunately, I also remember him in "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (Herod?). I also remember him from an episode of Outer Limits where he was a genetically engineered soldier.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

4. The episode that influenced Cameron's "The Terminator"

Michael Ansara playing Qwarlo, a soldier from the future who escapes into the present day earth with another soldier after him.

I think Ansara displayed enormous charisma and talent in most of his roles. It's a shame he wasn't given more prominent parts to play.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. So sad about his and Barbara's son. (and the baby they lost way back when)