Dale Robertson, the Oklahoma-born actor who became one of television’s most recognizable Western stars, died on February 26, 2013, in San Diego at the age of 89. The cause of death was lung cancer and pneumonia, marking the end of a life that combined Hollywood fame with genuine wartime heroism. Born on July 14, 1923, in Harrow, Oklahoma, Robertson grew up during the Great Depression in the rough heartland. The hardships of that era instilled in him a sense of toughness, independence, and skill with horses—qualities that would later make his Western roles unusually convincing.
Before he ever stepped onto a film set, Robertson served in World War II as part of the 322nd and 332nd Combat Engineer Battalions, and also served with the 101st Cavalry. He was wounded twice and earned the Bronze Star among other honors, demonstrating bravery in combat long before he gained fame in entertainment. His entry into acting came almost by accident. After the war, a photograph taken for his mother caught the attention of talent agents, and his rugged features and natural charisma quickly led to small roles.
Before long, he became one of television’s favorite cowboys. Robertson’s most famous role was Jim Hardy in “Tales of Wells Fargo,” which ran from 1957 to 1962. His stoic presence and genuine horsemanship made the show stand out among the many Westerns of the era. He also starred in “Iron Horse,” hosted “Death Valley Days,” and took on the role of FBI agent Melvin Purvis in TV movies during the 1970s.
In the 1980s, Robertson reached a new generation of viewers with roles in “Dynasty” and “J. J. Starbuck,” demonstrating versatility that extended well beyond the Western genre. His personal life included four marriages.
His first marriage, to Frederica Jacqueline Wilson, produced a daughter but ended in 1956. That same year, he married actress Mary Murphy briefly, though the union did not last. In 1959, he wed Lula May Robertson; that marriage lasted nearly two decades and produced two more daughters before ending in divorce. His final marriage, to Susan Robbins in 1980, lasted until his death and brought him stability and companionship in his later years.
Robertson was known for blunt honesty, and he never hid his intense dislike for fellow actor Robert Taylor, whom he once said he hated more than anyone else. In Robertson’s view, Taylor represented everything false about Hollywood—vain, insincere, and disloyal. He accused Taylor of caring more about lighting and camera angles than about storytelling or character. The dislike deepened over Taylor’s testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee, during which Taylor named colleagues suspected of communist ties.
Robertson, who valued loyalty above almost everything, saw that testimony as an unforgivable betrayal. Even decades after Taylor’s death, Robertson held firm, calling Taylor “rotten” and insisting he was never worth forgiving. In his final years, Robertson moved to San Diego to receive medical care as his health declined. Despite his lifelong resilience and strength, the illnesses took their toll, and he passed away at 89.
His death closed a remarkable chapter, but his legacy endures as a decorated war hero, a beloved Western star, and a man remembered for his deeply held principles. Fans recalled him as an actor who brought authenticity to the screen and lived by the same values he portrayed—leaving behind a reputation for dignity, loyalty, and strength that Hollywood could not diminish.
