Hugh O'Brian, who shot to fame as Sheriff Wyatt Earp in what was hailed as television's first adult Western, has died. He was 91.
A representative from HOBY, a philanthropic organization O'Brian founded, says he died at home Monday in Beverly Hills.
Until "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" debuted in 1955, most TV Westerns were aimed at preteen boys. "Wyatt Earp" was based on a real-life Western hero, and some of its stories were authentic. It made O'Brian a star.
After that show left the air in 1961, O'Brian continued to work in movies, television and theater through the 1990s.
He also made his mark in philanthropy in 1958 as founder of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership organization, which continues to bring together promising high school students for leadership seminars. The organization called O'Brian its "founder and inspiration."
"It's impossible to put a number on the amount of lives Hugh has touched – but we can certainly say anyone who participated in HOBY... are better people because of him," the statement continued. "Hugh literally motivated generations of people around the world. His ripple effect of change, inspiration and leadership will be felt for generations to come. He believed in all of us and we are all the better for it. Hugh O’Brian was simply outstanding."
