Johnny Crawford Leaves Behind An Impressive Body Of Work
The Hollywood Reporter highlights that, while Crawford may be best recognized for his role in “The Rifleman,” he’s got a super extensive legacy. Entertainment Weekly points out that when he took on the role he was only 12 and the following year he would be nominated for best supporting actor at the Emmy Awards.
He made the transition from a child star to a prominent adult actor with ease. In an interview printed in the TV Collector in 1982, he spoke about his experience on “The Mickey Mouse Club.” Sharing, “I was a has-been at 9. I told my agent that I would have worked at Disney for nothing. That’s when she told me that I was working for them for nothing.” He continued, ” being able to go in and say that I had just finished working for a year as a Mouseketeer was to my benefit because there weren’t many nine-year-olds who had experience in film. It gave me a certain confidence that I hadn’t had before, and I started getting a few small parts.”
Metro reports that he was also credited in “The Lone Ranger,” “Rawhide,” and “Hawaii 5-0.” In his later years, he played William S. Hart in “The Marshal” and Mark McCain in “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.”
An Early Beginning In Showbiz
Crawford and brother Bobby were born into a show-biz family and started out as Mouseketeers on TVs The Mickey Mouse Club. . Subsequently, post-Rifleman, Crawford, an expert horseman, spent a few years on the American rodeo circuit , served two years in the U.S. Army and continued to act in television, films and theater.
He and the 65 Connors reprised their Rifleman roles in 1991s The Gambler Returns: The Luck of Draw. Crawford remained close to his TV dad until Connors 1992 death.
Showbiz & Media Figures We’ve Lost In 2021
Born John Ernest Crawford in Los Angeles into a theatrical and musical family his paternal grandfather worked for Irving Berlin Crawford was only six when his Sunday school teacher, who was also an agent, began finding work for the talented child. Auditioning for The Mickey Mouse Club with a rendition of the Johnnie Ray hit Cry, Crawford got the gig and appeared in 16 episodes of what would become the Boomer Generations foundational childhood series.
Crawford appeared on 16 episodes of the first season, then moved on to guest appearances in such TV series as The Lone Ranger, The Frank Sinatra Show, The Danny Thomas Show and Wagon Train, among others, before landing the role of Mark McCain in 1958 on The Rifleman.
For his role as the son of a widowed, Winchester-toting rancher, Crawford was nominated for a 1959 Best Supporting Actor Emmy. That same year, his brother, Bobby Crawford was Emmy-nominated for a performance in an episode of Playhouse 90, as was their father Robert, an editor on The Bob Cummings Show.
During his Rifleman popularity, Crawford recorded several albums, releasing a string of singles, the most popular being the whispery Cindys Birthday, which reached No. 8 on the charts in June 1962.
In a statement, the Art Directors Guild paid tribute to Crawford for his many orchestral performances at ADG galas:
Crawford is survived by wife Charlotte and brother Bobby.
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How Much Was Johnny Crawford Worth
Hollywood lost another icon in April 2021 when former child star and longtime performer Johnny Crawford died at the age of 75. Known to many fans as the young Mark McCain on the western series The Rifleman, per Forbes, Crawford was also one of the first Mouseketeers, a gig he landed when he was just nine. The actor went on to appear on shows like The Lone Ranger and The Frank Sinatra Show before landing later gigs on Mister Ed,Rawhide, and the original Hawaii Five-O.
On top of that, Crawford was also a musician and released four songs that hit the Billboard Top 40 during the 60s, including Cindys Birthday,Rumors,Your Nose is Gonna Grow, and Proud.
With such an impressive career, you might assume that Crawford had a decent fortune when he died. However, it turns out that wasnt the case at all. Sadly, it seems like a serious health issue may have taken its toll on the stars finances.
The Heartbreaking Death Of Johnny Crawford
Actor Johnny Crawford has died. A spokesperson for the 75-year-old actor said “he passed away peacefully this evening, April 29, 2021, with Charlotte, his wife, by his side.” Variety outlined that he gained fame in 1958 when he played Chuck Connors’ son in “The Rifleman” on ABC. He was also in “The Count of Monte Cristo”, and played one of 24 Mousketeers that featured in the very first season of “The Mickey Mouse Club.”
On his website, his family revealed that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019. After his diagnosis, a GoFundMe campaign was established to help the family with his care expenses. Before his death, he was living in an assisted living facility. It was there that he contracted COVID-19 and then pneumonia.
Tweeting about his death, “Arrested Development” star Scott Baio said, “My dear friend #JohnnyCrawford just passed away. I pray for his wife Charlotte as she was by his side. Johnny was a real cowboy and will be greatly missed. He was an original “Mickey Mouse Club” member and played the son on “The Rifleman.”
Another fan shared similar sentiments in writing, “I’m saddened to hear of Johnny Crawford’s passing. Beloved by western fans for his role as Mark McCain on the Rifleman, this talented actor leaves behind a legacy of class and kindness. I always enjoyed his performances, and will miss him dearly.”
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Johnny Crawford Young Star Of The Rifleman Dies At 75
Johnny Crawford, the original Mouseketeer who starred as the young son of the Civil War veteran portrayed by Chuck Connors on the 1958-63 ABC series The Rifleman, died Thursday, it was announced. He was 75.
In 2019, it was revealed that Crawford had been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, and a GoFundMe campaign organized by Paul Petersen the advocate for former child actors and onetime star of The Donna Reed Show was set up to help the family deal with expenses.
Crawford was 12 when he appeared for the first time as Mark McCain, son of the widower Lucas McCain, on The Rifleman. The Four Star Television series, set in the New Mexico Territory with storylines crafted by Sam Peckinpah, ran for five seasons, from September 30, 1958, to April 8, 1963, and then for decades in syndication and reruns.
In a 2018 interview, Crawford noted that the strength of the program was its father-and-son dynamic.
That, and the fact that there was always a lesson at the end of every episode. Really, its such a wholesome show a healthy show, he said. And Chuck was so perfect. You know, I still miss him . He was unique Ill never meet anybody else like him again. He tried to be a good influence for me, even off-camera. And he treated me like an adult when we were working. He made it much easier than it might have been. He was a lot of fun.
In the 1990s, he led the Johnny Crawford Orchestra.
Johnny Crawford’s Net Worth At The Time Of His Death May Surprise You
Hollywood has sadly lost another legend. Johnny Crawford, who was one of the original Mouseketeers and starred in the ABC series “The Rifleman,” died on Thursday, April 29, 2021. He was 75 years old.
The announcement of Crawford’s death, which was made on his personal website, included details surrounding the actor’s death. He passed away on the evening of April 29, and his wife, Charlotte, was with him. While updates surrounding his death will be provided in the future, the Crawford family asked for prayers during their difficult grieving time. The page also gave details about the actor’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis before his death, saying, “As cruel as Alzheimer’s disease is, Johnny still has that warm smile and sparkle in his eyes, and he’s surrounded by people who love him unconditionally.” Alzheimer’s has sadly touched the lives of other Hollywood stars, including Tony Bennett, Jack Hanna, and Tom Girardi.
Fans of the actor offered their condolences on social media, , “ANOTHER SAD FAREWELL And my childhood continues to grow dimmer. RIP Johnny Crawford,” while friend and fellow actor Scott Baio issued an emotional tribute of his own, writing, “My dear friend #JohnnyCrawford just passed away. I pray for his wife Charlotte as she was by his side. Johnny was a real cowboy and will be greatly missed.”
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Thanks To You We Are Blessed
Thank you to all involved for a wonderful evening featuring Johnny Crawford at the West Coast premiere of Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws.
Were elated to say it was a sold out event and fun was had by one and all. To read all about this special evening:
The original invitation read: Dust off your cowboy boots, strap on your spurs and save the date of September 7, 2019 for a special event.
Bill Tilghman and The Outlaws had its West Coast Premiere and Pre-National Release Party in Thousand Oaks, California, under the stars. Many thanks to Wyatt and Lisa McCrea for donating and hosting this event at the beautiful Joel McCrea Ranch on their big outdoor screen.
Also, a huge shout out to Wayne Shipley and Dan Searles and all involved in the making of Bill Tilghman for donating ALL the proceeds from this event directly to Johnny Crawford and his wife Charlotte, to help them battle Johnnys Alzheimers, especially with all the expense of needing full time assistance. Johnny and Charlotte thank you from the bottom of their hearts.
Johnnys buddy and event organizer Darby Hinton was there, and of course the man of the hour, Johnny Crawford. And there were some truly amazing people who showed up for the event. Bruce Boxleitner was the very first to tell Darby, Sign me up!
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Johnny Crawfords Work And Legacy
Crawfords official website includes more information and links to the actor and musicians work over the years and the legacy he has left to his fans.
At the time of publication, DVDs and CDs with rare live recordings and videos from Crawfords music and acting career are available for a purchase.
You can also find autographed pictures and postcards.
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Early Career And Rifleman
He appeared in various TV shows, including The Lone Ranger, The Loretta Young Show, Sheriff of Cochise, Mr. Adams and Eve, Crossroads and Whirlybirds. He rose to international prominence after playing Mark McCain, son of a rancher, Lucas McCain in The Rifleman.
Johnny Crawford was one of The Walt Disney Companys original Mouseketeers
The remarkable on-screen father-son chemistry between Connors and Crawford was what made the show and the actors popular. He has appeared in movies like El Dorado and The Naked Ape. He also served in the US Army as production coordinator, script supervisor and actor in army training films for two years.
The Original Star Of ‘the Mickey Mouse Club’ Has Passed Away At The Age Of 75 Amid His Struggle With Alzheimer’s Disease And Following A Recent Battle With Coronavirus
- May 1, 2021
AceShowbiz -Original Mickey Mouse Club performer and beloved former child star Johnny Crawford has died.
The 75 year old found fame as a Mouseketeer in the 1950s and then became a household name in America in hit 1960s western series “The Rifleman“.
He died on Thursday , two years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and following a recent battle with COVID-19
His death was announced on his website in a statement that read, “Sadly, Johnny was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and he was living in a memory care residence before contracting COVID-19, then pneumonia. After a temporary placement at a skilled nursing facility, he was recently moved to an excellent smaller care home close to his wife.”
Born in Los Angeles, he was just six when a Sunday school teacher helped her student standout find TV work on “The Mickey Mouse Club“. He guested on TV series like “The Lone Ranger” and “Wagon Train“, before landing the role of Mark McCain on “The Rifleman”, which earned him a 1959 Best Supporting Actor Emmy nod.
Crawford also enjoyed a pop career, recording several albums and hitting the U.S. top 10 with the single “Cindy’s Birthday” in 1962.
His TV credits also include “Rawhide“, “Hawaii Five-0“, “Little House on the Prairie“, and “Murder, She Wrote“, while he also had big screen roles in “The Restless Ones“, “Village of the Giants“, “El Dorado“, and “The Naked Ape“.
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Personal Life And Death
Crawford reconnected with Charlotte Samco, his high school sweetheart, in 1990, and they married in 1995.
In 2019, MeTV reported that Crawford had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His longtime friend, actor Paul Petersen, started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover Crawford’s medical costs. Crawford died in a personal care home at age 75 on April 29, 2021. He had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia, but had completely recovered according to his wife, Charlotte. Johnny later succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease. At the time of his passing, Crawford was the last surviving main cast member of The Rifleman.
Johnny Crawford The Rifleman Star Dead At 75
Actor Johnny Crawford, known for playing Chuck Connors son in ABC series The Rifleman from 1958-63, has died. He was 75.
It is with great sadness and heaviness of heart that the Johnny Crawford Legacy team announce the passing of Johnny Crawford, it was posted on the Johnny Crawford Legacy website. He passed away peacefully this evening, April 29, 2021 with Charlotte, his wife, by his side.
More from Variety
In The Rifleman, Crawford played Mark McCain, son of Civil War veteran Lucas McCain, played by Connors. He was nominated in the best supporting actor in a dramatic series category at the Primetime Emmys in 1959. He was 13 at the time.
In 2019, Crawford was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease before he contracted COVID-19 and then pneumonia.
Crawford was one of 24 Mouseketeers in the first season of ABCs The Mickey Mouse Club. His early TV roles included The Lone Ranger, Cavalcade of America and The Count of Monte Cristo. After The Rifleman, he also had roles in Rawhide, Hawaii Five-O and The Big Valley.
The actor had intermittent appearances in film and television over the years, including Prince Ignatius in series William Tell . His last screen credit was in The Marshal .
Film historian James L. Neibaur tweeted: ANOTHER SAD FAREWELL And my childhood continues to grow dimmer. RIP Johnny Crawford.
ANOTHER SAD FAREWELL
James L Neibaur
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Johnny Crawford’s Net Worth Wasn’t As Much As You’d Might Think
Although Johnny Crawford has a whopping 61 acting credits to his name , Celebrity Net Worth reports that he was worth around $500,000 at the time of his death. And while Crawford only had one role in the last two decades he played William S. Hart in the 2019 film, “The Marshal” he’s best known for his roles on “The Rifleman,” which aired from 1958-1963, “Manitee Theatre,” and “William Tell.” He also guest-starred on popular shows like “Little House on The Prairie,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “Mister Ed,” and more.
Not only was Crawford a talented actor, he also had a passion for music, which is part of the reason why he took a break from acting in the late 1990s. Per Crawford’s personal website, he led The Johnny Crawford Dance Orchestra, which “specialized in Big Band jazz and swing music from his favorite era,” and was “ranked among the top orchestras of its kind in Los Angeles.”
Sadly, Crawford suffered at the hands of both COVID-19 and pneumonia towards the end of his life. As noted on his personal website, Crawford was living in “a memory care residence” before contracting both illnesses. In his memory, Crawford’s wife and brother are committed to sharing his home movies in order to keep his legacy alive.
Johnny Crawfords Net Worth
Crawfords current net worth in 2021 is unknown. According to Net Worth Lists, his fortune was estimated to be $500,000 $1 million years ago.
The actors official website has confirmed that he was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease and lived in a memory care residence before he was diagnosed with Covid-19 and pneumonia.
He later moved to a care home close to his wife where he was supervised and visited by family members and friends.
Crawfords friend, Paul Petersen, organised a GoFundMe campaign in 2019 to help the actors family with expenses and medical costs.
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What Was Johnny Crawfords Net Worth The Rifleman Star Has Died Aged 75
What was Johnny Crawfords net worth? The actor, who rose to fame in The Rifleman, has passed away at the age of 75.
It was confirmed that Johnny Crawford died aged 75 on April 29th, 2021. He was best-known for his role as Mark McCain in the ABC series The Rifleman from 1958 to 1963.
Crawford gained popularity as a musician too after signing a contract with Del-Fi Records.
He was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease in 2019 and lived in a care home close to his wife, the actors official website has explained.