Laramie: A Classic Western TV Series
The late 1950s and early 1960s saw a boom in Western television shows. Among them, “Laramie,” produced by Revue Studios (the same studio behind “Wagon Train”), stood out as a top contender. Premiering in 1959, “Laramie” offered a fresh perspective, diverging from typical Western narratives. That year, 28 new Westerns aired across major networks, mostly filmed in black and white and focusing on lone cowboys or groups battling villains. “Bonanza” was a notable exception, being the first prime-time adult Western in color. Most shows lasted only a couple of seasons, unlike “Bonanza’s” impressive 14-season run.
“Laramie” differentiated itself by focusing on the complex relationship between two brothers, Slim (John Smith) and his younger brother (Robert Crawford Jr.), in mid-1800s Wyoming. Their dynamic, rarely explored in Westerns, created compelling storylines. The show also featured Jess Harper (Robert Fuller), a seemingly hardened loner who gradually became family despite initial suspicion. Hoagy Carmichael rounded out the main cast as a seasoned ranch hand.
Initially, “Laramie” struggled in the ratings. NBC considered cancellation but chose to revamp the show. This proved crucial to its survival. By its third season, “Laramie” underwent significant changes, including switching to color filming. Robert Crawford Jr. and Hoagy Carmichael departed, leaving John Smith and Robert Fuller as leads. Spring Byington joined as a maternal figure, and Dennis Holmes as a young orphan taken in by the Sherman Ranch.
“Laramie” aired on NBC from September 15, 1959, to May 21, 1963, spanning four seasons and 124 episodes. The first two seasons (64 episodes) were in black and white, while the final two (60 episodes) were in color. The show marked Robert Fuller’s breakthrough in television, establishing him as a star. Only Fuller and Smith remained throughout the entire run. Crawford Jr. appeared in the first season and made a guest appearance in the third. Byington and Holmes joined for the final two seasons. Carmichael was exclusive to the first season, while Stuart Randall and Eddy Waller (a recurring stagecoach driver) appeared in the first three.
“Laramie” boasted an impressive guest star roster, including established Hollywood names and rising talents. Brian Keith, Dan Duryea, Adam West, Everett Sloane, and Anita Sands were among those featured. Notable character actors like Warren Stevens, Thomas Mitchell, and Arthur Hunnicutt also appeared. The series showcased future genre stars like Harry Dean Stanton, R.G. Armstrong, L.Q. Jones, and Morgan Woodward. Claude Akins appeared in four episodes, while Julie London, Vera Miles, and Ernest Borgnine each made memorable contributions. The guest star list also included John Anderson, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, Denny Miller, and Rod Cameron (who appeared in six episodes). Ron Harper, Jan Merlin, John Lupton, Gregory Walcott, and Edgar Buchanan lent their talents. Dennis Patrick, Lee Van Cleef, Russell Johnson, Gary Clarke, and Harry Lauter were among the many familiar faces. George Macready, Alex Cord, Joanne Linville, Lloyd Nolan, and Ellen Burstyn also appeared. Rounding out the impressive roster were Parley Baer, Ray Danton, Carolyn Jones, Richard Devon, future Star Trek actors DeForest Kelley and Leonard Nimoy, future Hogan’s Heroes star Ivan Dixon, future Green Acres star Eddie Albert, future Dallas star Jim Davis, future Dukes of Hazzard star Denver Pyle, future Tarzan actor Jock Mahoney, and teen idol Tommy Sands.
Following “Laramie’s” success, Robert Fuller starred in “Wagon Train” and achieved greater fame in the 1970s with the hit medical drama “Emergency!” alongside Julie London, Randolph Mantooth, and Kevin Tighe, produced by Jack Webb.
