Home Uncategorized The 15 Longest-Running Western TV Shows Of All Time

The 15 Longest-Running Western TV Shows Of All Time

51
0
The 15 Longest-Running Western TV Shows Of All Time

Summary

  • Longest-running Western series often had episode counts in hundreds, showcasing the genre’s popularity on both small screen and theaters.
  • Many iconic Western series featured notable names like Clint Eastwood and Ronald Reagan, shaping the television landscape of the 1950s and 1960s.
  • Series like Gunsmoke and Death Valley Days stood out with over 600 episodes, illustrating the enduring impact of Western storytelling on TV.

During the heyday of the genre, Westerns were just as popular on the small screen as they were in theaters, as every week, viewers tuned in for the adventures of bandits, cowboys, and outlaws. With episode counts going well into the hundreds, it was astounding how many popular Western series were on the air through the 1950s and 1960s. When tracking the longest-running Western series of all time, it’s important to take episode count as the primary factor, as even though some shows ran for just a few seasons, they still clocked up an impressive backlog of episodes.

The longest-running Western series’ of all time were vast and varied, with many being produced just as color TV started taking hold as they evolved and adapted to move with the times. Some of these series featured incredibly notable names within the Western genre, such as Clint Eastwood or even figures who would be essential historical figures, like action-turned-president Ronald Reagan. These Western series were grand in scope regarding episode count but also incredibly influential on the television landscape in general.

15 The Cisco Kid (1950 – 1956)

156 Episodes in 6 Seasons

The Cisco Kid was a fictional Western character first created back in 1907 and had a long-running television show joined by his trusty sidekick, Leo Carrillo. As desperados wanted for unspecified crimes, the poor viewed the two outlaws as Robin Hood-like figures as they helped the downtrodden in their half-hour adventures. The Cisco Kid was notable for having 156 episodes but also as one of the first television series to be filmed in color (via Broughton), although most viewers did not notice as color TV did not become prominent until the 1960s.

The Cisco Kid (1950)

Cast
Duncan Renaldo , Leo Carrillo , Troy Melton , Bill Catching , Marshall Reed , Keith Richards , Chuck Cason , Zon Murray
Release Date
March 6, 1950
Seasons
6

14 Lawman (1958 – 1962)

156 Episodes in 4 Seasons

Adam West as Doc Holiday on Lawman Episode 37 “The Wayfarer”

The ABC Western series Lawman starred John Russell as Marshal Dan Troop and Peter Brown as Deputy Marshal Johnny McKay as officers in Laramie, Wyoming, during the late 1800s. Full of classic Western adventures, notable guest stars, and with exceedingly high quality considering its vast output, Lawman was one of the best Western series of the late 1950s and early 1960s. One clue to it being of another time was that its main sponsor, the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and its stars consistently endorsed smoking Camel cigarettes (via Mad Men Art.)

Lawman (1958)

Cast
John Russell , Peter Brown , Peggie Castle , Emile Avery , Dan Sheridan , Clancy Cooper , Harry Cheshire , Sailor Vincent
Release Date
October 5, 1958
Seasons
4

13 The Adventures Of Rin Tin Tin (1954 – 1959)

164 Episodes in 5 Seasons

The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (1954 - 1959)

The children’s Western The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin starred Lee Aaker as Rusty, a boy orphaned in an Indian raid, who was raised by US Cavalry soldiers at Fort Apache. With the assistance of his trusty German shepherd, Rin Tin Tin, Rusty helped the soldiers establish order throughout the Wild West. With plenty of action as well as moral lessons at the core of each episode, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin sought to teach young viewers the difference between right and wrong.

The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin

The Adventures Of Rin Tin Tin is a television series that aired from 1954 to 1959, following the adventures of a young boy named Rusty and his German Shepherd dog, Rin Tin Tin. Set in the Old West, the duo is adopted by the soldiers at Fort Apache and helps maintain law and order. The show portrays their numerous thrilling escapades and the bond they share with the cavalry.

Cast
Lee Aaker , James Brown , Rin Tin Tin II , Joe Sawyer , Rand Brooks , William Forrest , Hal Hopper , Harry Strang
Release Date
October 15, 1954
Seasons
5

12 Daniel Boone (1964 – 1970)

165 Episodes in 5 Seasons

Fess Parker as Daniel Boone

The action-adventure show Daniel Boone starred Fress Parker as the titular frontiersman as he conducted surveys and expeditions around Boonesborough. Through this, Boone encountered Native Americans, both hostile and friendly, before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. With plenty of guest stars, Daniel Boone ran for 165 episodes and featured the likes of country singer Jimmy Dean, NFL star Rosey Grier, and Patricia Blair as Boone’s wife, Rebecca. Daniel Boone was based on a real-life frontiersman whose exploits turned him into an American folk hero.

Daniel Boone (1970)

Cast
Fess Parker , Patricia Blair , Darby Hinton , Dal McKennon , Ed Ames , Veronica Cartwright , Albert Salmi , Roosevelt Grier
Release Date
September 24, 1964
Seasons
6

11 The Rifleman (1958 – 1963)

168 Episodes in 5 Seasons

Chuck Connors and Paul Fix in The Rifleman

The Rifleman followed the antics of Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain through black-and-white half-hour adventures. A groundbreaking series that depicted a single father raising his son, throughout its five seasons, The Rifleman addressed alcoholism, lone parenting, and the Confederacy. The Rifleman was a popular, family-friendly Western that could be enjoyed by all audiences as it sought to teach kids lessons while also delving into more serious themes and issues from time to time.

The Rifleman

The Rifleman is a Western television series starring Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain, a skilled marksman who raises his son Mark in the town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. Directed by Joseph H. Lewis, the show explores themes of justice, morality, and fatherhood against the backdrop of the American frontier.

Cast
Chuck Connors , Johnny Crawford , Paul Fix , Joe Benson , Bill Quinn , Patricia Blair , Joe Higgins , Joan Taylor
Release Date
September 30, 1958
Seasons
5

10 Tales Of Welles Fargo (1957 – 1962)

201 Episodes in 6 Seasons

Title card for Tales Of Welles Fargo (1957 - 1962)

The Tales of Welles Fargo was a significant Western series produced right as color was starting to become dominant, and rather than fall behind the times, the series switched to color for the sixth and final season. The series starred Dale Robertson as Jim Hardie, an agent who splits his time between chasing bad guys and running his own ranch. With countless guest stars appearing as real Western figures, such as Jesse James, John Wesley Harding, and Butch Cassidy, Tales of Welles Fargo was one of the most popular series on TV when it was running.

Tales Of Welles Fargo (1957)

Cast
Dale Robertson , Art Felix , Kit Carson , William Demarest , Leonard P. Geer , Lory Patrick , Virginia Christine , Jack Ging
Release Date
March 18, 1957
Seasons
6
Creator(s)
Frank Gruber , James Brooks , Gene Reynolds

9 Rawhide (1959 – 1966)

217 Episodes in 8 Seasons

Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates in Rawhide

Rawhide was a notable series in the history of the Western genre, as it starred Clint Eastwood before he became a major star following Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy. Set in the 1860s, Rawhide portrayed the challenges faced by the drovers of a cattle drive as they found themselves mixed in different strangers’ everyday affairs. A hugely popular series, it marked one of Eastwood’s earliest successes and signaled him as a Western icon for decades to come as he effectively transitioned into feature films, including Spaghetti Westerns and major Hollywood productions.

Rawhide

Rawhide is a Western TV series that aired from 1959 to 1965, following the adventures of a group of cattle drovers led by trail boss Gil Favor (Eric Fleming) and his assistant Rowdy Yates (Clint Eastwood). Set in the 1860s, the show explores the challenges and encounters they face while driving cattle across the American frontier.

Cast
Clint Eastwood , Paul Brinegar , Steve Raines , Eric Fleming , James Murdock , Rocky Shahan , Robert Cabal , Sheb Wooley

Release Date
January 9, 1959
Seasons
8
Creator(s)
Charles Marquis Warren

8 The Lone Ranger (1949 – 1957)

221 Episodes in 5 Seasons

Tonto and the Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger and his Native American companion, Tonto, first appeared as radio characters in the 1930s and later transitioned to this popular television series. With 221 adventures over nine years, audiences could not get enough of The Lone Ranger as it dominated television throughout the 1950s and was a consistent hit. Sadly, the character’s enduring success was not as assured as an attempt to revive The Lone Ranger as a feature film with Johnny Depp as Tonto was one of the biggest box office bombs of all time, meaning it’s unlikely to be revived again any time soon.

The Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger is a Western-themed television series that follows the adventures of the masked hero known as the Lone Ranger and his Native American companion, Tonto. Set in the American Old West, the series originally aired from 1949 to 1957, with Clayton Moore playing the Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels portraying Tonto. The duo seeks to uphold justice and fight crime while pursuing outlaws and protecting the innocent.

Cast
Jay Silverheels , Clayton Moore , John Hart , Bill Ward , Lane Bradford , Chuck Courtney , Mickey Simpson , House Peters Jr.
Release Date
September 15, 1949
Seasons
5
Creator(s)
George W. Trendle , George W. George

7 Have Gun – Will Travel (1957 – 1963)

225 Episodes in 6 Seasons

Richard Boone as Paladin in Have Gun-Will Travel

The appropriately titled Western Have Gun – Will Travel told the story of a gentleman investigator traveling the Old West as a gunfighter for hire. With Richard Boone in the lead role of Paladin, Have Gun – Will Travel followed an anti-hero who offered his services for free to the poor in need of help. Have Gun – Will Travel was a significant success and even spawned its own radio spin-off, with rumors of a feature film adaptation swirling around for years, first with John Travolta in the lead role (via EW) and, at one point, with Enimem as the star (via CBR.)

Have Gun – Will Travel

Have Gun – Will Travel follows the adventures of Paladin, a sophisticated gentleman gunslinger who works as a mercenary in the American Old West. Richard Boone stars as Paladin, who offers his gunfighting skills to those who can afford his services, navigating a range of moral and legal challenges. Known for his fine tastes and keen intellect, Paladin blends diplomacy with deadly precision.

Cast
Richard Boone , Kam Tong , Hal Needham , Stewart East , Lisa Lu , Tony Regan , Cosmo Sardo , Edward Faulkner
Release Date
September 14, 1957
Seasons
6
Creator(s)
Herb Meadow , Sam Rolfe

6 The Life And Legend Of Wyatt Earp (1955 – 1961)

229 Episodes in 6 Seasons

The Life And Legend Of Wyatt Earp (1955 - 1961)

The life of frontier marshal Wyatt Earp has been depicted countless times across the Western genre, as his exploits with the notorious Doc Holliday always made for an exciting premise. The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp was no different and starred Hugh O’Brian in 229 half-hour adventures in just six years. Unlike most family-friend programming of the time, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp was produced with adult viewers in mind (via Collider) and was a definitive entry in O’Brian’s career.

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp is a Western television series that aired from 1955 to 1961, starring Hugh O’Brian as the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. It follows his career as a marshal in the American West, depicting notable events and encounters in his life, and emphasizing his efforts to bring justice to the lawless frontier towns.

Cast
Hugh O’Brian , Jimmy Noel , Ethan Laidlaw , Bill Coontz , Morgan Woodward , Douglas Fowley , Damian O’Flynn , William Tannen
Release Date
September 6, 1955
Seasons
6

5 The Virginian (1962 – 1971)

249 Episode in 9 Seasons

Gary Cooper looking concerned in The Virginian

With a whopping almost 250 episodes, The Virginian was an NBC series originally starring James Drury that stood as television’s first 90-minute Western. Drury played the title character, who was foreman of the Shiloh Ranch, but left after four seasons and was replaced by John Dehner, Charles Bickford, John McIntire, and Stewart Granger, all playing various main characters over the years. Loosely based on the 1902 Western Owen Wister novel The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains, after its run, The Virginian continued with the short-lived spinoff series Laredo.

The Virginian

The Virginian centers on the mysterious, unnamed foreman of the Shiloh Ranch in Medicine Bow, Wyoming Territory, navigating complex relationships and moral dilemmas in the Old West.

Cast
Doug McClure , James Drury , Lee J. Cobb , Sara Lane , Clu Gulager , Randy Boone , Roberta Shore , John McIntire
Release Date
September 19, 1962
Seasons
9
Creator(s)
Charles Marquis Warren

4 Wagon Train (1957 – 1965)

284 Episodes in 8 Seasons

Robert Horton and Ward Bond as Flint McCullough and Seth Adams in Wagon Train

Wagon Train was a popular Western series that first aired on NBC before moving to ABC for its final three seasons. Set on a large wagon train traveling through the American frontier from Missouri to California, Wagon Train’s unique concept allowed for many guest stars to appear over its astounding 284 episodes as travelers or residents in the settlements that they encountered along the way. Wagon Train was a significant inspiration for the sci-fi series Star Trek, which had been pitched as “Wagon Train to the stars” (via CBR.)

Wagon Train

Wagon Train is a Western TV series that aired from 1957 to 1965, following the adventures of a wagon train heading west from Missouri to California. The show stars Ward Bond as Major Seth Adams and Robert Horton as scout Flint McCullough, depicting the challenges and interactions faced by pioneers on their perilous journey. The series highlights themes of perseverance, camaraderie, and the diverse stories of the travelers.

Cast
Frank McGrath , Terry Wilson , robert horton , John McIntire , Ward Bond , Denny Miller , Robert Fuller , Michael Burns
Release Date
September 18, 1957
Seasons
8

3 Bonanza (1959 – 1973)

431 Episodes in 14 Seasons

Pernell Roberts, Michael Landon, Lorne Greene, and Dan Blocker as Adam, Little Joe, Ben, and Hoss Cartwright in Bonanza

Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, Bonanza was NBC’s longest-running Western and one of the longest-running live-action television series ever produced. Bonanza followed the wealthy Cartwright family during the 1860s and depicted the weekly adventures of the patriarch Ben and his family running their Nevada ranch and helping the local community. Even after so many episodes, it seemed audiences couldn’t get enough of Bonanza as it returned for several television movies in the late 1980s and early 1990s and even a prequel series called Ponderosa in 2001.

2 Death Valley Days (1952 – 1970)

452 Episodes in 18 Seasons

Title screen for the classic Western TV show Death Valley Days (1952)

Not only was Death Valley Days notable as the second longest-running Western series ever made, but it was also hosted by the future President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, from 1964 to 1966. The premise of this anthology series was to present true accounts of the American Old West, and was Reagan’s final work as an actor before he retired to run for governor of California. With stories based on fact, Death Valley Days was a significant piece of history that cataloged otherwise untold stories of the American frontier.

Death Valley Days (1952)

Death Valley Days is a Western anthology series that originally aired from 1952 to 1970. The show presented stand-alone episodes, often featuring a different cast and storyline each week, set in the American West during the 19th century.

Cast
Dale Robertson , Stanley Andrews , Robert Taylor , Ronald Reagan
Release Date
March 6, 1952
Seasons
18

1 Gunsmoke (1955 – 1975)

635 Episodes in 20 Seasons

Blended image of James Arness in Gunsmoke and a Gunsmoke filming location
Custom image by Stephen Barker

With a mind-bogglingly huge number of episodes, Gunsmoke was the longest-running Western series of all time, having 635 episodes over its 20-season run. As the second Western series written for adults, after The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Gunsmoke followed Marshal Matt Dillon as he attempted to keep the peace in the problem-prone Wild West town of Dodge City. Having previously run as a radio show with 480 episodes, Gunsmoke’s longevity was astounding. It was the longest-running live-action show until its record was broken with the 21st-season premiere of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2019.

Sources: Producers on Producing by Irv Broughton, Mad Men Art, EW, CBR, Collider, CBR

Source link