Prolific Western Actor Dale Robertson Dies

Dale Roberton, the much-loved actor, who starred in numerous westerns has died aged 89 in Southern California, Scripps Memorial Hospital. He was perhaps best known for his role as special agent Jim Hardie in the NBC television series "Tales of Wells Fargo" from 1957-1962.

Two years of ill health culminated in a cancer diagnosis last week, his niece, Nancy Love Robertson explained to The Oklahoman newspaper. Robertson - born Dayle Lymoine Robertson – served in Europe and Africa during World War Two and starred in 60 films and television shows. His career, which spanned five decades, started out with roles in Westerns such as Devil's Canyon and Dakota Incident. “An actor can change himself to fit a part, whereas a personality has to change the part to fit himself,” he said in an interview in 1988. He added, “The personality has to say it his own way.” In 1981 he played an oil wildcatter in early episodes of Dynasty. The next year he had a recurring role in another soap opera, Dallas, and later in the decade he starred in the short-lived J. J. Starbuck. Robertson also created United Screen Arts in 1965, which released two of his films, The Man from Button Willow and One Eyed Soldiers.

Mr. Robertson was married four times. In addition to his wife, the former Susan Robbins, whom he married in 1980, he is survived by his daughters, Rochelle Robertson and Rebel Lee, and a granddaughter.