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Each year we round up artists who not only portray western legends on film but who are western legends themselves. Without these hard-working men and women our eyes never would have been opened to both the rugged and romantic side of the Wild West. The landscape of the West speaks to us, but these actors give it a voice. Something that sets our modern Legends apart from the characters they portray is that after the film director says “Cut!”, instead of riding off into the sunset, they continue to face the same challenges that many of us do. They have homes, families, infirmities, and many demands for their time.
We are thankful these stars are able to attend this years’ Western Legends Heritage & Music Festival. Please be aware that some of the stars listed here may have other obligations or priorities that may arise at a moments notice. If a star listed here is unable to attend the event we will update this list.
We appreciate your understanding.
This years Stars that will be joining us are:
Rudy Ramos
With only one television credit on his resume, Rudy was cast in the hit TV western, The High Chaparral (1967), as “Wind”, the half-breed Indian boy. Forty-seven years later, his career is still going strong.
Recurring roles on TV include Resurrection Blvd. (2000) and Hunter (1984). Rudy has had starring roles in made-for-TV movies such as The Blue Knight (1973), Helter Skelter (1976), Everybody’s Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure (1989) and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman: The Movie (1999), to name a few. Guest appearances on episodic TV range from George Lopez (2002), NYPD Blue (1993) and JAG (1995) to Murder, She Wrote (1984), MacGyver (1985), Hill Street Blues (1981) and Hawaii Five-O (1968), with many in-between.
Rudy has also performed in many feature films. He has had featured roles in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), with Eddie Murphy, and The Enforcer (1976), with Clint Eastwood, co-starring roles in Colors (1988), directed by Dennis Hopper and staring Sean Penn, and The Driver (1978), with Ryan O’Neal, and starring roles in Quicksilver (1986), with Kevin Bacon, Defiance (1980), with Jan-Michael Vincent, and Art Carney, Torchlight (1984), with Steve Railsback and Ian McShane and Road Dogz (2002), with Jacob Vargas and directed by the up-and-coming young director, Alfredo Ramos.
As a member of the Los Angeles Actors Theatre, Rudy performed the role of “Cupcakes”, in the award-winning hit show, Shorteyes, by Miguel Pinero. Other stage performances have taken place in such notable theaters as The Mark Taper Forum, John Anson Ford, The Met, Matrix, The Los Angeles Theatre Center, Nosotros, South Coast Rep, New Mexico Rep and The Ojai Playwrights Conference.
The album, “Hard Knocks and Bad Times”, showcases Rudy’s musical talents.
– IMDb Mini Biography By: Ginny Shook, Out West Entertainment
Wyatt McCrea
Wyatt McCrea is the oldest grandchild of the late actor Joel McCrea and his actress wife Frances Dee. Wyatt is the co-owner of Third Point Productions, which produces primarily television content, commercials and music videos. He is an Associate Producer on the television series “Gen’s Guiltless Gourmet” and serves as Executive Producer for several television projects currently under development or in pre-production including, “Shootin’ the Breeze”, “Cars Undercover”, “A Racer’s Life” and “The Joel McCrea Story”. Wyatt has been featured in both print and internet advertising for Uberti/Benelli USA, has appeared in the cable series “Call 911”, as well as several local television ads and has portrayed various western characters in variety of reenactment productions. Over the years he has also been active in his families ranching business. He enjoys participating in various film festivals and giving presentations in an ongoing effort to preserve the history of his film making grandparents. Wyatt is a founding member and board president of the Joel and Frances McCrea Ranch Foundation; serves on the Board of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum; is a past member of the Executive Committee of the Golden Boot Awards; is a Board Member of the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation; a Board Member and past board president of RideOn Therapeutic Horsemanship; a member of the Rodeo Historical Society, the American Quarter Horse Association (Life Member), NMMI Alumni Association (Life Member); and a member of the Advisory Board for the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo, CA.
Darby Hinton
Darby started his long acting career at the tender age of 6 months old and he hasn’t stopped since. His first appearance was on ‘Play House 90’ followed by commercials and many of the classic TV shows back then. Like, ‘Mr. Ed,’ ‘Wagon Train,’ ‘Route 66’ & The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
Darby’s film career didn’t start until he was 4 years old when he was featured in a film called ‘Hero’s Island’. Working with the likes of Harry Dean Stanton, Rip Torn, Neville Brand. and James Mason. Followed by Disneys ‘Son of Flubber.’ Just before turning 6, Darby landed the plumb role of playing Fess Parker’s son ‘Israel Boone’ on the hugely popular ‘The Daniel Boone Show’ which ran for 6 seasons and had a Thursday night viewing audience of 30 million by it’s 4th season. The show still has millions of loyal fans and lives on in reruns attracting even more fans today.
After ‘Boone’ ended, Darby tried to shake the all American image by playing a drug user on, ‘The Bold Ones: The New Doctors,’ a troubled youth on ‘Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law’ even a drug dealer on Jack Lord’s, ‘Hawaii Five-0.’ But everybody still loved and knew him as ‘Israel’. Darby then decided to take time off and focus on education, since most of his had been on set with a studio teacher. He left Hollywood and graduated High School from, The American School in Switzerland. He then started his College experience completing 3 around the world voyages aboard the SS Universe while attending World Campus Afloat. Where he was able to study theatre, and actors, around the world. From Indonesian Shadow Dance, Noh & Kabuki Theatre, to the classic Greek & Roman Tragedies, all in their place of origin. When his academic voyages ended he went right back to work, with featured roles on, ‘Magnum, P.I.,’ ‘The Fall Guy,’ ‘Hunter’ and ‘Mike Hammer’ to name a few.
Darby continued his film work as well, from martial arts films in the Philippines to a detective in Malibu that couldn’t shoot straight in the cult classic, ‘Malibu Express.’ He did a number of other features as well, at home and abroad. They took him to places like Russia, Romania, Bulgaria. When he started his family however, he decided to look for more steady work closer to home. He became the Probation Officer on ‘Days Of Our Lives,’ and eventually became ‘The Salem Rapist’ during some of the shows highest ratings. With more kids, came more responsibilities, and not having a real father growing up, (His father was killed in a plane crash when he was 14 months old), Darby wanted to be there for his kids, to help them and watch them grow. But… he still loved acting. So, he started just pursuing commercials and theatre close to home. That lead him to a role based on Charles Doheny for Theatre 40’s, ‘The Manor.’ A play he has stared in for the last 16 years, performing to sold out audiences in the real 1920s Doheny estate, ‘Greystone,’ in Beverly Hills.
As soon as the youngest of his 5 children left home to be a ski instructor in New Zealand, Darby started focusing on his acting career again and has since got to portray some memorable historical characters; Like David Burnet, 1st president of Texas in, ‘Texas Rising.’ George Donner in, ‘The Donner Party – Dead of Winter,’ and his most recent role, Cole Younger in, ‘Bill Tilghman and The Outlaws.’ in 2018.
Neil Summers
Born in London, Summers grew up in South Africa until 1958, when his family moved to the United States. After graduating from high school in Phoenix, Arizona, he began working as a professional stuntman. In the early years of his career, he worked mainly in American western films – especially with John Wayne – and western series like Bonanza. After director Sergio Leone saw Summers in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Beans from 1970, he hired him as a sidekick by Terence Hill and Henry Fonda for the Italian western parody, My Name is Nobody, which allowed Summer to gain a foothold in the European film industry as well.
Since then he has starred as a stuntman and actor in supporting role in movies and TV films, as well as on television series, including Lucky Luke, Harry and the Hendersons and Dr. Quinn – Medicine Woman.
Summers, is a self-confessed western fanatic who owns a large collection of Western memorabilia, some of which is on a display at the Gene Autry Museum, and who has written several books on the Wild West and its portrayal on film and television, has almost 40 years of work as a stuntman to the “most frequently killed performers” ever. He has been “shot” numerous times during his acting/stunt career, including several times by John Wayne, James Arness (as Marshal Matt Dillon) and the cast of the Cartwright family from Bonanza.
His filmography as a stuntman includes such films as The Naked Gun 2 1/2 , Chaplin, The Naked Gun 33 1/3, Mars Attacks!, The Jackal, US Marshals, Mercury Rising, My Name is Nobody, Wild at Heart, Dick Tracy, The Troublemaker, Bad Girls, The Convicted, and Murder in the First.
Cheryl Rogers Barnett
Cheryl Rogers-Barnett is the adopted daughter of Roy Rogers and his first wife, Arline, and is the eldest of the Rogers’ children. While on a personal appearance tour in Texas, Roy stopped off in Dallas and visited the babies at Hope Cottage. As Roy told it, all the babies in the nursery would cry whenever he leaned over their cribs and tickled them under the chin. All, that is, except Cheryl, who grasped his finger, smiled and cooed. He said it was love at first sight.
Cheryl’s acting career was extremely brief, as a child she was introduced in the film feature “Meet Roy Rogers.” Had a line in “Trail of Robin Hood” and in the “Outlaws of Paradise Valley” episode of the Roy Rogers TV Show. Like the rest of the Rogers children, Cheryl appeared on several TV variety shows and in numerous commercials. She is the author of “Cowboy Princess” and “Cowboy Princess Rides Again,” and a co-author of “The All-American Cowboy Grill” cookbook. She has had several articles published in magazines and has written forewords and liner notes for books and CDs. Cheryl and her husband Larry are the co-producers of two documentaries, “Roy Rogers: In His Own Words” and “Dale Evans: A Most Remarkable Woman.” The documentaries are available on a DVD set.
Cheryl is in the History Channel project, “When Cowboys Were King.” Was a presenter at the 2nd Annual Turner Classic Movie Festival in Hollywood, introducing four of her father’s movies and one of her mother’s films. She also introduced two of her father’s films at the Traverse City Film Festival in MI. Cheryl has spoken at Brigham Young University on “Who Was Roy Rogers and Why Should We Care.” For two years, Cheryl conducted one-on-one interviews of the celebrities attending the Lone Pine Film Festival; some of those interviews are available on DVDs sold in the gift shop of the Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine, CA. She is kept busy speaking to various groups around the country such as: the Tennessee Farm Bureau, the Utah Farm Bureau, the Weatherford Texas Senior Center, the Allen Library in Allen, TX, the Lone Pine Film Festival in Lone Pine, CA and the Western Legends Festival in Kanab, UT.
Ruta Lee
Certainly one of Hollywood’s most glamorous ladies, Ruta Lee is also one of its most multifaceted and top-notched civic contributors. Born in Montreal, Lee is the daughter of a Lithuanian tailor. While at Hollywood High, Lee’s career in show business began at the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre… as an usherette, then candy girl. She was quickly promoted to box office cashier and just as quickly fired. Her dancing was better than her math. She vowed to return to that famous courtyard (years later, talent and serendipity placed her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, directly in front of that box office from which she was fired).
Soon after, she was signed by MGM as the youngest of the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and subsequently in Funny Face with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn, as Tyrone Power’s secret love in Witness for the Prosecution, and Frank Sinatra’s leading lady in Sergeant’s Three, to name but a few of the many films in her credits. Simultaneously, Lee launched into television, with over 2000 appearances on shows from Perry Mason to Power Rangers, Twilight Zone to Murder She Wrote, Hogan’s Heroes to Love Boat, and Roseanne. Lee was also co-host on NBC’s High Rollers with Alex Trebek, a regular on Hollywood Squares with Peter Marshall and made several television movies. She had series leads in CBS’ Coming of Age and HBO’s 1st and Ten. Her stints on the Bonnie Hunt Show remain among her favorites.
As a young starlet, Ruta made international headlines when she convinced Khrushchev to release her 90 year old grandmother from the Soviet Union. She brought her to the U.S. where she lived her remaining years in the sunshine of freedom. She is grateful to all for the prayers that helped in that effort.
Lee has headlined around the country in many musicals as Dolly, Annie, Molly, Peter Pan, Mame, Irene, Nelly, Irma, Rose, The Woman of the Year, and Madame in the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, these are just a few of her leading lady roles.
Critics have raved about all of her stage roles, but two stand out as favorites, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Goodbye Charlie. Lee’s performance in the former was described by composer Meredith Willson as “the greatest Molly of them all and had Ruta Lee created the role on Broadway, the original production would still be running.”
More recently she took a star turn in the critically acclaimed Steel Magnolias at Garry Marshall’s Falcon Theater as well as Fort Worth’s Casa Manana and Funny Business at the L.A.’s Coronet. She headlined 4 seasons to the hit musical revue, Senior Class at the Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs.
Lee is highly acclaimed for her leadership role in The Thalians, a charitable organization which is committed to good mental health from pediatric to geriatric. She has been either chairman or president for over 45 years… roles exchanged between herself and Debbie Reynolds. The Thalians honored Ruta Lee for her dedication to mental health, where she joined the ranks of previous honorees, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Mary Tyler Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Lansbury and and Clint Eastwood, to name just a few.
She has served as Commissioner on the Los Angeles Board of Environmental Quality and as a member of the Economic Development Board, acted as a national spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, was honored Woman of the Year by B’nai B’rith, received the Humanitarian Award from the Beverly Hills Business Women’s Association as well as top honors from the City of Hope. Ruta is very proud to be the recipient of the prestigious Yellow Rose of Texas from President George W. Bush. Recently, she received Lithuania’s highest honors from President Valdas Adamkus at a magnificent ceremony in the Vilnius Presidential Palace. Ruta is also the proud recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which added to her stars on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars and the Celebrity Walk at the Thalians Mental Health Center, Cedars-Sinai, makes it a Triple Crown for a super gal. More recently, Ruta was honored as a “Woman of Achievement” by Northwood University, joining a roster of some of the most prestigious women in America.
Lee and husband Webb Lowe have homes in Hollywood, Palm Springs, Fort Worth, and Las Hadas, Mexico… She says, “We sleep around!” Ruta considers the Metroplex her neighborhood, having played Casa Manana and other venues for over 35 years. She loves Texas & Texans. She also loves all animals and is the proud mother of 4 dogs, 2 cats and a big white cockatoo.
Tony Cameron
Tony is the son of Rod Cameron. Rod Cameron was an American actor who was born on December 7, 1910, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and passed away on December 21, 1983, in Gainesville, Georgia, United States. He appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career, primarily in Western and action genres.
Cameron started his acting career in the late 1930s, and he became known for his rugged and strong on-screen persona. Some of his notable films include “Branded” (1950), “Ride the Man Down” (1952), “Finger Man” (1955), and “The Sea Chase” (1955) alongside John Wayne. He also starred in the popular Western TV series “State Trooper” (1956-1959), where he played the role of Rod Blake.
Rod Cameron’s career spanned several decades, and he worked in both film and television. He made appearances in various Westerns and action films, establishing himself as a recognizable face in the genre.
Bruce Boxleitner
Bruce Boxleitner is an American actor and writer. He was born on May 12, 1950, in Elgin, Illinois, United States. Boxleitner has had a career spanning several decades, appearing in both film and television.
One of Boxleitner’s most notable roles is that of Captain John Sheridan in the science fiction television series “Babylon 5” (1994-1998). His portrayal of Sheridan earned him critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. He also reprised this role in the TV movies “Babylon 5: The Gathering” (1993), “Babylon 5: In the Beginning” (1998), and “Babylon 5: A Call to Arms” (1999).
In addition to “Babylon 5,” Boxleitner has appeared in other popular television shows such as “Scarecrow and Mrs. King” (1983-1987), where he played the role of Lee Stetson, and “TRON: Uprising” (2012-2013), where he provided the voice of Tron.
On the big screen, Boxleitner is known for his role as Alan Bradley/Tron in the science fiction films “TRON” (1982) and “TRON: Legacy” (2010).
Throughout his career, Bruce Boxleitner has worked on a variety of projects in different genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor. In addition to his acting work, he has also written several novels, including the “Frontier Earth” trilogy and the “Godspeed” series.
Terry Bomar
Terry Bomar is a dynamic and accomplished individual, recognized for his achievements as an award-winning speaker, writer, minister, producer, and adventurer. Hailing from Memphis, TN, Terry’s life took an unexpected turn during his early teens when he found himself entangled in the drug culture prevalent in the 1970s. However, after facing numerous challenges and narrowly escaping perilous situations, he experienced a profound transformation through his faith, ultimately becoming a minister.
Throughout his twenties, Terry embarked on an incredible journey, traversing the country and the world to spread his message through passionate preaching. His path led him to serve as a Prison Chaplain, a Missionary, an Evangelist, and Pastor of various churches across Hawaii, Tennessee, and Florida. In 1992, he founded Young Adventurers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting young people.
Renowned for his captivating presence and unparalleled storytelling abilities, Terry’s speaking engagements have garnered him a stellar reputation as an in-demand speaker worldwide. His genuine compassion for others, vast life experiences, unwavering thirst for adventure, and remarkable ability to connect with audiences have solidified his status as a sought-after figure in the speaking circuit.
Kathy Garver
Most fondly remembered for her starring role as “Cissy” in the long-running CBS international television hit, Family Affair, Kathy Garver has also garnered critical acclaim in movies, stage, radio, voice-over animation, and audio book narration.
Kathy was born on December 13 in Long Beach, California to Hayes and Rosemary Garver joining her sister, Beverly, and brothers, Hayes, Jr. and Lance.
Her professional acting career began when she was just seven years old appearing in TV westerns, sit coms, and dramatic programs such as Climax and Matinee Theater. When she was eight years old, Hollywood legendary director Cecil B. DeMille recognized Kathy’s distinct talents. Originally hired for a small part in the epic motion picture, The Ten Commandments, Kathy was noticed by the great director who then had special scenes written into the movie to highlight the talented little girl. The award-winning movie followed her first film, The Night of the Hunter, directed by Academy Award winner, Charles Laughton. During her teenage years, she added radio and stage to her burgeoning film and television career.
Ms. Garver was a freshman majoring in speech at UCLA when she was tested for a television series entitled Family Affair (1966). Kathy, deemed “perfect” to star as “Cissy”, with Brian Keith as “Uncle Bill” and Sebastian Cabot as “Mr. French”, performed for five years in one of the warmest and most enduring series of the 1960s and 70s. The show continues to be popular today through the release of Family Affair’s all five seasons on DVD, pleasing old and new audiences world wide – a true classic.
Today, Kathy Garver is an accomplished and versatile actress, appearing in such films as Mom, Murder & Me (2014) and The Princess Diaries (2001), MOWs such as In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders (1988) and Stay the Night (1992) with guest star roles on many TV shows. She is a sought-after celebrity on game shows, winning top money for charities as she did on Street Smarts (2000) and other reality programs.
Kathy is also very much in demand for her numerous vocal characterizations. She’s a stand-out in the very competitive field of voices-overs for cartoons, commercials, toys and audio books. She voiced “Pepper”, an automotive whiz, in the Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos (1986) series and “Firestar”, a mutant super hero, in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981) TV series. Ms. Garver produced, narrated and wrote lyrics and original music for eight audio “Beatrix Potter” tales and eight “Mother Goose”-based audiotapes for Smarty Pants, Inc. Kathy’s “Beatrix Potter” tapes have sold over two million copies and have won numerous awards. Ms Garver has also won four Audie Awards, one for her narration of The Worlds Shortest Stories, the other in 2004 for her direction of Amy Tan in “The Opposite of Fate”, read by the author. Kathy has recorded books for “Brilliance Audio”, “Dove”, “Listen and Live” Her voice has been heard in Apollo 13 (1995) (which was awarded the Academy Award for sound), Ransom (1996), Backdraft (1991) and Jingle All the Way (1996), all directed by Ron Howard.
Special Characters
Joe “Hoppy” Sullivan
Hoppy fans – meet Joe Sullivan, Hopalong Cassidy’s official look-alike and character representative!
Joe “Hoppy” Sullivan has been portraying Hopalong Cassidy at various functions around the country. His costume is a detailed replica of the one Hoppy wore in 1939, including Bohlin made products.
An experienced horseback ride, Sullivan uses hi own black/silver saddle and tack. He presents a unique slide show on the cowboys and cowgirls who starred in the B-Western movies during the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s and narrates Hoppy’s tribute to America. Joe is authorized by Hopalong Cassidy Enterprises to portray Hoppy.
He has appeared and performed at the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA and has appeared as the host for the Hopalong Cassidy Western Series on Satellite TV. Joe also performed at Carnegie Hall and toured China with the Great American Cowboy Group.
Sullivan is retired from sales management for a livestock feed and animal health manufacturing company. He is presently with a Therapeutic Riding Center for the mentally and physically challenged as a horse handler.