Orison Whipple Hungerford III aka Ty Hardin died during
the evening of August 3rd. He was 87. Ty was known to millions as Bronco
Layne from the hit Warner Bros. TV series Bronco which ran from 1958-1962. When
Clint Walker, star of the Cheyenne TV series, went on strike he was replaced by
Bronco and when Clint reached an agreement with Warner Brothers and returned to
the air Bronco and Sugarfoot starring Wil Hutchins were seen in a rotating
format from week to week. Ty went on to make eight Euro-westerns and told
several of us at Festival of the West in Scottsdale that he was another of the
long list of actors who was offered the role of ‘The Man With No Name’ but
turned down the role. After his Italian career he returned to the US and
appeared at film festivals and TV films. After difficulties with the IRS,
Hardin founded an anti-tax movement in Prescott. In 1982 the movement became
the Arizona Patriots. Ty was living in Huntington Beach, California and had
been suffering from Alzheimer’s for the past few years.
Yes he has passed...He is my father inlaw and I can confirm his passing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the confirmation. Since we've seen no news obits people have questioned Ty's passing. Condolences to you and your family. As Bronco Tys was part of many of our childhoods. I met and talked with him twice over the years and he was always treat. RIP and thanks for the the fun and good memories.
ReplyDeleteI loved him as " Stock " in Merrills Marauders " with the great Jeff Chandler.
ReplyDelete