Johnny Crawford (1946-2021) had been fighting the terrible affliction known as Alzheimer's disease when this special edition of A WORD ON WESTERNS was filmed but few people realized it so I held our interview back until March 29, 2020. You know Johnny as young Mark McCain on TV's classic western series, "The Rifleman." You may know him as a singer and Pop Star, with early hits like "Cindy's Birthday" and, later, as the leader and singer of a swing band. You may also know that he's as a rodeo-ridin' cowboy who can throw a mean lasso. Johnny was born March 26, 1946 and died April 29, 2021. Johnny's story is amazing. He began working in front of cameras at the age of five and developed a passion for music, horses and silent movies. And, unlike actor's today, who are guaranteed lifetime residuals, there were none when Johnny was 11 and starring with Chuck Connors on "The Rifleman" (1958-1963). We all grew up watching Johnny as Mark McCain, watching him grow up, too. In fact, the series is still being broadcast in reruns all over the world and a new generation is growing up with the same positive role models and strong Father-Son bond that was a good influence on many of us. While Johnny and Chuck are now both gone, THE RIFLEMAN and the moral lessons on the series are still playing worldwide...constantly. We've been very lucky to have Johnny share his stories and continue to enjoy his legacy of work. Rest in Peace, my saddle pal.
#rip #interview #riflemen #johnnycrawford #singer #childstar #childactors #alzheimer #famouspeople #tvclassics #awordonwesterns #robword #tvwestern

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