James Drury was an American actor who is best known for his role as the Virginian in the television series of the same name, along with appearances in various classic Westerns and films from the 1950s and 1960s.
Personal and Family Life
James Child Drury Jr. was born on April 18, 1934, in New York City to Beatrice and James Child Drury. Although he grew up in New York, he spent some of his youth on a ranch in Salem, Oregon, where he honed his riding skills. James had two daughters from a previous marriage. He studied drama at his father’s university but later graduated from UCLA in horticulture and animal husbandry.
Career Overview
Drury began his acting career in school plays and touring with a theater company by the age of twelve. He appeared in numerous well-known TV Westerns and became particularly famous for his character in The Virginian, which ran for nearly a decade. After the show ended, he struggled to find regular roles in television but later found success as a businessman, investing in various ventures including a ranch and the oil industry.
Death and Legacy
James Drury passed away from natural causes on April 6, 2020, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 85. He is remembered as a prominent figure in Westerns, having left a lasting impact on the genre, particularly through his role as the Virginian. Drury was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers in recognition of his contributions to film and television.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Pollyanna | 1960-05-19 | George Dodds |
| Ride the High Country | 1962-06-20 | Billy Hammond |
| Good Day for a Hanging | 1959-01-01 | Paul Ridgely |
| Firehouse | 1974-04-11 | Captain Spike Ryerson |
| The Virginian | 1962-09-19 | The “Virginian” |
| Walker, Texas Ranger | 1993-04-21 | Captain Tom Price |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | Jerry Cass |