logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Paul Brinegar's Final Years after Playing George Washington Wishbone on 'Rawhide'

Olawale Ogunjimi
Feb 10, 2020
08:00 A.M.

Actor Paul Brinegar was known for his role in the television series "Rawhide," which lasted from January 9, 1959 to December 7, 1965.

Advertisement

The Western-themed show was star-studded, featuring Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood, who at the time just made his television debut.

Brinegar died 30 years after the last season. He had suffered from a chronic lung disease known as emphysema.

Paul Brinegar on "Cast Gallery" - Shoot date July 6, 1982 | Source: Getty Images

Paul Brinegar on "Cast Gallery" - Shoot date July 6, 1982 | Source: Getty Images

Born on December 19, 1917, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, Paul Alden Brinegar had a prosperous career in television and motion pictures.

The veteran actor already showed an interest in acting when he was in high school. Paul later learned drama, literature, and art at the Pasadena Junior College. He subsequently kick-started a 48-year acting career.

His career, centered around western movies and television shows, and became the delight of fans.

Advertisement
"Rawhide" actor, Paul Brinegar on the set of the show in 1968. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

"Rawhide" actor, Paul Brinegar on the set of the show in 1968. | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Having appeared in 226 episodes of "Rawhide," he made guest star appearances in over 200 times for T.V. series, movies, music videos, and commercials.

He also featured in 51 episodes of the T.V. series "Lancer," and several episodes in "Matt Houston" and "Wyatt Earp." He became notable after his feature on "Wyatt Earp."

Brinegar lived a private life with his wife Shirley Talbott and their sons, Paul III and Mark.
Paul Brinegar on "Cast Gallery" - Shoot date July 6, 1982 | Source: Getty Images

Paul Brinegar on "Cast Gallery" - Shoot date July 6, 1982 | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

Brinegar is most notable for portraying a grizzled sidekick 65-year-old man to the main protagonist when he was actually under 50 in reality.

When he was 32, he discovered that his hair started turning grey, he became bald as well, and the wrinkles on his face began to emerge.

Little did he know that this would be one of the qualities that would launch him into a great career on-screen.

Actors Clint Eastwood, Paul Brinegar and Eric Fleming attend the Rawhide press conference on February 22, 1962 | Source: Getty Images

Actors Clint Eastwood, Paul Brinegar and Eric Fleming attend the Rawhide press conference on February 22, 1962 | Source: Getty Images

Earlier in his life, he had other career paths asides acting. The veteran once served as a chief radioman in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

After the war, he settled to repair radios as a part-time job while he featured in movies during his spare time.

Advertisement

Brinegar teamed up once again with Charles Marquin Warren, who produced the western movie "Cattle Empire." Warren was the producer of Rawhide, and he believed Brinegar would be the perfect camp cook.

Actors, Sheb Wooley and Paul Brinegar on the set of "Rawhide" in 1968 | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Actors, Sheb Wooley and Paul Brinegar on the set of "Rawhide" in 1968 | Source: Wikimedia Commons.

His later years were as busy as his beginnings. At a ceremony, "Beverly Hills," Paul Brinegar, became a recipient of the Golden Boot Award for his endeavors to promote Westerns on television and movies.

Brinegar lived a private life with his wife Shirley Talbott and their sons, Paul III and Mark. He was an honorary sheriff and fire chief of Granada Hills.

A year to his death, he featured in the 1994 movie "Maverick" starring Mel Gibson and James Garner alongside many western character actors.

After his death, his family requested that any memorial contributions should be sent to the Motion Picture and Television Fund in Woodland Hills. He was 77.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Denise Gordy Is Reportedly the Mother of Late Singer Marvin Gaye's First Son

December 05, 2023

Inside Anderson Cooper's Converted Firehouse Home Where He Lives with Kids He Shares with His Ex

December 24, 2023

How Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's Biological Daughter With Golden-Blonde Hair Might Look — Photos by AI

November 24, 2023

This Horse Trainer Is a Child Star’s Spouse: He Took Care of Her for 25 Years, despite Being Unable to Eat & Speak

February 11, 2024

Tose Page and His Brother Rege-Jean Page Once Formed a Musical Duo

November 14, 2023

Susan Cavallari Is Clint Walker's Third Wife Who Survives Him

December 10, 2023

‘Grease’ Star Stockard Channing Changed after Moving to Another Country & Her Partner’s Death – What Happened to Her

February 15, 2024

‘Grease’ Star Stockard Channing Changed after Moving to Another Country & Her Partner’s Death – What Happened to Her

February 14, 2024

Clint Eastwood Dated Sondra Locke during Her 13-Year Marriage to Gay Man & Later Became Enemies

February 06, 2024

Dean Martin’s Wife Died Only a Few Weeks after Their Second Son Was Found Dead at His Home

December 21, 2023

Paul McCartney Became Father to Child Who Was 'A Kind of Miracle' whom He Raised Without Nanny

February 18, 2024

Marie Osmond Is Going to Leave Her 7 Kids Nothing after She Dies - Inside Her Decision

November 09, 2023

Boston Russell Is Kurt Russell's Son from His Marriage to Season Hubley

December 07, 2023

Peter Falk's Daughter Was Banned from Dad's Funeral - Years Later She Fought for the Rights of Other Families

January 16, 2024