Hollywood star Edward Faulkner has died at the age of 93. He died on August 26, but the news is only just being made public now. His daughter Leslie Wadsworth confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter he died of natural causes at a health care facility in Vista, California.

The 6′ 3″ Kentucky native was an accomplished horse rider who cut his teeth appearing in episodes of several popular TV westerns, including Have Gun — Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Bonanza and The Virginian. He made his big-screen debut opposite Elvis Presley in G.I. Blues in 1960) and later played fitness instructor Brad Bentley in another Elvis movie, 1965’s Tickle Me. He went on to appear opposite John Wayne in six movies – McLintock! (1963), The Green Berets (1968), Hellfighters (1968), The Undefeated (1969), Rio Lobo (1970) and Chisum (1970). All but two of these were helmed by legendary director Andrew V. McLaglen.

He reflected on his career in a 2019 interview with KPBS quipped he was “always a bad guy” who “never won a fight”. He was close to Wayne while working with him, describing him as a mentor. He recalled their many chess games saying: “I occasionally let him win.”

John was also responsible for his three daughters appearing on screen alongside him. When he spotted Jan, Barbara and Leslie, on the sidelines during filming of The Undefeated in Mexico, he yelled for wardrobe and put the young girls in the movie.

Edward also gve John a nudge towards The Green Berets in 1968. In a 2015 chat with A Word on Westerns he claimed he wrote him a note saying: “Like yourself, I’ve worn a Stetson long enough. Perhaps a change of hats, maybe a beret.” A week or so later, Edward learned he was being cast as Captain MacDaniel in the movie.

Despite their friendship he missed out on a role in 1969’s True Grit which finally won John an Oscar. John has wanted Edward to play the Texas Ranger who joins in the hunt for Ned Pepper, but the role to singer, and non-actor, Glen Campbell instead.

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