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Harlan Warde

Back in the 50s and 60s, the Western was a staple of the American network TV landscape. As such, it was a boon to actors like Harlan Warde, who played the supporting role of John Hamilton on the 1958-62 ABC series "The Rifleman" and dropped in as Sheriff Brannan for season four of the 1962-1971 NBC offering "The Virginian." Warde also was able to squeeze in the odd appearance as a range of characters on "Bonanza," including those of a constable, prosecutor, district attorney, and solicitor. By the time the true run of the TV western was riding off into the sunset, so were the prospects of Warde as an actor, though age also had something to do with it. In the '70s, he did very little work, wrapping up his career in '79 with a guest appearance on "The Rockford Files" opposite James Garner, someone who was also no stranger to the TV Western.