Modern film’s last cowboy greets fans

Ed Dodrill

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1997 | 5:52 a.m.

BUCK TAYLOR, THE ARTIST WHO paid his dues in the movies and television, will be greeting fans and showing his artwork at the Cowboy Christmas Show in the Cashman Field Center through Dec. 14, during the National Finals Rodeo.

Taylor is one of the few people in the motion picture industry who can do his own riding, shooting and stunt work and then complete a painting capturing the excitement of the scene and the spirit of the characters.

He grew up in Hollywood, Calif., the son of veteran character actor Dub "Cannonball" Taylor. His neighbors were legendary stunt man Yakima Canutt, actor Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, master trick-roper and actor Monte Montana, and others on the silver screen.

"It seemed everyone in the neighborhood headed for a movie lot before the sun came up, and I got caught up in the industry," Taylor said. He was inspired by the action movies of Burt Lancaster and took up gymnastics to get in shape for similar roles.

Taylor narrowly missed a spot on the Olympic gymnastic-team, but kept up his work because it enabled him to readily accept stunt work in the movies.

All the while, however, Taylor wanted to be an artist. When the opportunity arose, he applied for a scholarship at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and was accepted.

He was torn between the two careers as demand for his talents from film makers kept him busy. He won the role of a villain in an episode of "Gunsmoke" that impressed the producers so well they wrote in the role of Newly O'Brian just for him.

He was on the series for more than eight years and continues to appear on television and in the movies.

His most recent work was in the Turner Television production of "The Rough Riders," where he plays an outlaw who joins the famous military unit while fleeing what he believes is a pursuing posse. He does not survive the battle.

He also appeared in "Conagher, Gettysburg", "Tombstone" and several episodes of "Walker, Texas Ranger," starring Chuck Norris, who has amassed a collection of Taylor's paintings.

More recently, Taylor has turned down acting opportunities because the demand for his art is so keen.