Early TV Westerns featuring Star Trek Actors
by jesse-33 | created - 11 months ago | updated - 11 months ago | PublicA list of Western TV Series appearances by the actors who would later make up the main cast of Star Trek, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig & Grace Lee Whitney. Also, Western episodes that were written by Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek. (Detail View to see episode names)
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1. The Lone Ranger (1949–1957)
TV-G | 30 min | Western
The adventures of the masked hero and his Native American partner.
Stars: Jay Silverheels, Clayton Moore, John Hart, Bill Ward
Votes: 2,878
Deforest Kelley in The Legion of Old Timers, Gold Train, Death in the Forest
2. 26 Men (1957–1959)
30 min | Western
True stories of the Arizona rangers around 1900.
Stars: Tristram Coffin, Kelo Henderson, Hal Hopper, Jack Riggs
Votes: 127
DeForest Kelley in Trail of Revenge, Long Trail Home & Leonard Nimoy in Ricochet
3. A Man Called Shenandoah (1965–1966)
30 min | Western
A man shot and left for dead on the trail is found and revived. With no recollection of his past, he calls himself Shenandoah as he roams the West searching for his identity.
Stars: Robert Horton, Gregory Walcott, John Cliff, James Griffith
Votes: 218
DeForest Kelley in The Riley Brand, James Doohan in Care of General Delivery, Leonard Nimoy in Run, Killer, Run
4. Bat Masterson (1958–1961)
TV-14 | 30 min | Western
Bat Masterson roams The West and defends the innocent.
Stars: Gene Barry, Allen Jaffe, Allison Hayes, Ken Drake
Votes: 1,224
DeForest Kelley in No Amnesty for Death, Grace Lee Whitney in The Good and the Bad
5. Black Saddle (1959–1960)
30 min | Western
After his brothers are killed in a shootout, a gunfighter decides to hang up his guns and uphold the law by becoming a lawyer.
Stars: Peter Breck, Russell Johnson, Anna-Lisa, J. Pat O'Malley
Votes: 117
DeForest Kelley in Apache Trail
6. Bonanza (1959–1973)
TV-PG | 49 min | Western
The Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.
Stars: Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts
Votes: 11,003
DeForest Kelley in The Honor of Cochise, The Decision, Ride the Wind: Part 1 & Ride the Wind: Part 2, James Doohan & Majel Barrett in Gift of Water, James Doohan in The Legacy, Majel Barrett in Three Brides for Hoss, Leonard Nimoy in The Ape
7. Boots and Saddles (1956–1958)
30 min | Western
Captain Shanks Adams is in charge of the real Ft. Lowell in this syndicated fictional series set in the dangerous Arizona territory, where Adams combats all sorts of trials assisted by his scout Luke Cummings and Lt. Binning.
Stars: John Pickard, Dave Willock, Michael Hinn, John Alderson
Votes: 65
DeForest Kelley in The Marquis of Donnybrook, Gene Roddenberry wrote The Gatling Gun, The Marquis of Donnybrook, Prussian Farmers, Rescue of the Stranger
8. Broken Arrow (1956–1958)
30 min | Western
Indian Agent Tom Jeffords makes friends with Chief Cochise, becoming a blood brother of the Apache. Together they fight white schemers and renegade Indians.
Stars: John Lupton, Michael Ansara, Steven Ritch, Steve Conte
Votes: 271
Leonard Nimoy in The Trial, Conquistador, The Iron Maiden
9. Cimarron City (1958–1960)
Approved | 60 min | Western
Cimmaron City is booming due to oil and gold and hopes to become capital of the future state of Oklahoma. Matthew Rockford is the son of the city's founder; he's now mayor and a major cattle rancher. Sheriff Temple must keep law and order.
Stars: George Montgomery, John Smith, Audrey Totter, Dan Blocker
Votes: 183
Leonard Nimoy in I, the People
10. Cimarron Strip (1967–1968)
TV-PG | 90 min | Western
The western adventures of tough, but fair, Marshal Jim Crown.
Stars: Stuart Whitman, Percy Herbert, Randy Boone, Jill Townsend
Votes: 482
Grace Lee Whitney in Knife in the Darkness
11. Death Valley Days (1952–1970)
TV-PG | 25 min | Western
Western stories and legends based, and filmed, in and around Death Valley, California. One of the longest-running Western series, originating on radio in the 1930s. The continuing sponsor was "20 Mule Team" Borax, a product formerly mined in Death Valley.
Stars: Stanley Andrews, Robert Taylor, Ronald Reagan, Dale Robertson
Votes: 1,046
DeForest Kelley in The Breaking Point, Coffin for a Coward, Devil's Gate, Lady of the Plains, Grace Lee Witney in The Breaking Point,The Last Shot, The Quiet and the Fury, Angel of Tombstone & Tall Heart, Short Temper, George Takei in The Book, Leonard Nimoy in The Journey
12. Gunsmoke (1955–1975)
TV-PG | 60 min | Western
Marshal Matt Dillon keeps the peace in rough-and-tumble Dodge City.
Stars: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis
Votes: 8,759
DeForest Kelley in Indian Scout, Leonard Nimoy in A Man a Day, The Search, I Call Him Wonder, Treasure of John Walking Fox, Grace Lee Witney in Reprisal, Jimmy Doohan in Quint Asper Comes Home, William Shatner in Quaker Girl
13. Have Gun - Will Travel (1957–1963)
Approved | 25 min | Western
The adventures of a gentlemanly gunfighter-for-hire.
Stars: Richard Boone, Kam Tong, Hal Needham, Stewart East
Votes: 3,333
Gene Roddenberry wrote The Yuma Treasure, The Hanging Cross, Helen of Abajinian, The Great Mojave Chase, Ella West, The Hanging of Roy Carter, The Road to Wickenburg, Juliet, The Monster of Moon Ridge, Maggie O'Bannion, Return of Roy Carter, The Golden Toad, Tiger, Charley Red Dog, Episode in Laredo, Les Girls, The Posse, El Paso Stage, Alice, Marshal of Sweetwater, Trial at Tablerock, Taylor's Woman, Cage at McNaab, The Savages DeForest Kelley in The Treasure
14. Iron Horse (1966–1968)
60 min | Western
Ben Calhoun won the half-completed Buffalo Pass, Scalplock, and Defiance Line railroad in a poker game and must interact with 1880s first nation, bankers, and bad guys to complete the line.
Stars: Dale Robertson, Robert Random, Gary Collins, Roger Torrey
Votes: 231
James Doohan in Joy Unconfined
15. Jefferson Drum (1958–1959)
30 min | Western
A widower with a young son starts a newspaper in a wild Western town.
Stars: Jeff Richards, Eugene Mazzola, Cyril Delevanti, Robert Stevenson
Votes: 31
Gene Roddenberry wrote The Post, Law and Order, Madame Faro, Stagecoach Episode
16. Laramie (1959–1963)
TV-PG | 60 min | Western
In the 1870s Wyoming Territory, Slim Sherman and his 14-year-old brother Andy try to hang on to their ranch after their father's death.
Stars: Robert Fuller, John Smith, Spring Byington, Dennis Holmes
Votes: 1,482
DeForest Kelley in Gun Duel, The Unvanquished, Leonard Nimoy in The Runt
17. Laredo (1965–1967)
TV-PG | 60 min | Western
A group of Texas Rangers keeps getting in and out of trouble, under the command of Captain Parmalee.
Stars: Neville Brand, Peter Brown, William Smith, Philip Carey
Votes: 749
Jimmy Doohan in I See by Your Outfit, DeForest Kelley in Sound of Terror, The Thimblerigger, The Squatters
18. Luke and the Tenderfoot (1955)
26 min | Comedy, Western
Stars: Edgar Buchanan, Carleton Carpenter, Charles Bronson, Nancy Hadley
Votes: 31
Leonard Nimoy in The Boston Kid
19. Mackenzie's Raiders (1958–1959)
30 min | Western
Colonel Mackenzie, commander of the 4th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Clark near Brackettville in Kinney County in southwest Texas during the 1870s, receives secret orders from President Ulysses... See full summary »
Stars: Richard Carlson, Art Gilmore, Riley Hill, Jack Ging
Votes: 111
DeForest Kelley in Son of the Hawk, Joe Ironhat Leonard Nimoy in The Imposter
20. Outlaws (1960–1962)
60 min | Western
The adventures of a Marshal and his young Deputies in a section of Oklahoma infested with bandit gangs, gunmen, and robbers.
Stars: Don Collier, Barton MacLane, Bruce Yarnell, Slim Pickens
Votes: 94
William Shatner in Starfall: Part 1, Starfall: Part 2, Leonard Nimoy in Shorty
21. Overland Trail (1960)
60 min | Western
The adventures of a crusty superintendent for the Overland Stage Co. and his young sidekick as they try to keep the stage routes safe.
Stars: William Bendix, Doug McClure, Harry Guardino, Sean McClory
Votes: 93
Grace Lee Whitney in Fire in the Hole, Most Dangerous Gentleman
22. Rawhide (1959–1965)
TV-PG | 50 min | Western
Gil Favor is trail boss of a continuous cattle drive. He is assisted by Rowdy Yates. The crew runs into characters and adventures along the way.
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Paul Brinegar, Steve Raines, Eric Fleming
Votes: 4,615
DeForest Kelley in Incident at Barker Springs Leonard Nimoy in Incident Before Black Pass
23. Riverboat (1959–1961)
60 min | Adventure, Western
Grey Holden wins a river boat in a poker game, which he then pilots, along with his crew, in various adventures along the Mississippi River. This action series is set in the nineteenth century.
Stars: Darren McGavin, Dick Wessel, Jack Lambert, Burt Reynolds
Votes: 228
DeForest Kelley in Listen to the Nightingale
24. Stagecoach West (1960–1961)
60 min | Western
Luke Perry and Simon Kane, accompanied by Simon's young son David, run a stagecoach line in the Old West, where they come across a wide variety of ladies in distress, killers, and robbers.
Stars: Wayne Rogers, Richard Eyer, Robert Bray, James Burke
Votes: 173
DeForest Kelley in Image of a Man, The Big Gun
25. Tales of Wells Fargo (1957–1962)
TV-14 | 60 min | Western
Agent Jim Hardie splits his life between being an agent helping Wells Fargo cope with bad guys, and owning a ranch near San Francisco, California.
Stars: Dale Robertson, Art Felix, Kit Carson, William Demarest
Votes: 1,234
DeForest Kelley in Captain Scofield Leonard Nimoy in Something Pretty
26. Tate (1960)
30 min | Western
The adventures of a one-armed gunfighter (he lost the use of an arm during the Civil War) in the Old West.
Stars: David McLean, Don Wilbanks, Robert Redford, Ted Markland
Votes: 136
Leonard Nimoy in Comanche Scalps
27. Temple Houston (1963–1964)
60 min | Western
The adventures of frontier lawyer Temple Houston, son of the legendary Sam Houston.
Stars: Jeffrey Hunter, Jack Elam, Frank Ferguson, Chubby Johnson
Votes: 81
Grace Lee Whitney in Do Unto Others, Then Gallop
28. The Big Valley (1965–1969)
TV-PG | 60 min | Western
The Wild West adventures of the Barkley family in California's San Joaquin Valley.
Stars: Richard Long, Peter Breck, Lee Majors, Linda Evans
Votes: 3,545
William Shatner in A Time to Kill Grace Lee Whitney in Run of the Savage
29. The Californians (1957–1959)
30 min | Western
San Franciscans during the goldrush of the 1850s attempt to maintain law and order in their wild city. Newly arrived Matthew Wayne becomes sheriff, then marshal, and organizes the city police force.
Stars: Richard Coogan, Sean McClory, Adam Kennedy, Nan Leslie
Votes: 137
DeForest Kelley in The Painted Lady George Takei in A Hundred Barrels
30. The Dakotas (1962–1963)
60 min | Western
Marshal Ragan and his Deputies maintain the peace in the Badlands of the Dakota Territory.
Stars: Larry Ward, Jack Elam, Chad Everett, Michael Greene
Votes: 116
DeForest Kelley in Reformation at Big Nose Butte
31. The Deputy (1959–1961)
TV-PG | 30 min | Western
Clay McCord is who often helped Chief Marshal Simon Fry in 1880's Arizona territory. McCord eventually becomes Fry's Chief Deputy assigned to Silver City. Fry and McCord are assisted by Sergeant Hapgood Tasker Army cavalry Sergeant.
Stars: Henry Fonda, Allen Case, Read Morgan, Wallace Ford
Votes: 402
DeForest Kelley in The Means and the End
32. The Great Adventure (1963–1964)
60 min | Drama
A filmed series of one-hour dramatizations of the lives of famous historical people, as well as important historical events.
Stars: Russell Johnson, Van Heflin, Eddie Little Sky, Kent Smith
Votes: 136
Walter Koenig in Six Wagons to the Sea
33. The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955–1961)
TV-PG | 30 min | Western
Loosely based on historical fact, the series portrays the gunslinging Wyatt Earp and his successful determination for law and order.
Stars: Hugh O'Brian, Jimmy Noel, Ethan Laidlaw, Bill Coontz
Votes: 1,110
Grace Lee Whitney in Kill the Editor
34. The Man from Blackhawk (1959–1960)
30 min | Western
The adventures of an insurance investigator for the Blackhawk Insurance Co. in the Old West.
Stars: Robert Rockwell, Jean Willes, Bethel Leslie, Walter Burke
Votes: 34
DeForest Kelley in Station Six
35. The Rebel (1959–1961)
Approved | 30 min | Western
After the end of the Civil War, a former Confederate Army private roams the Wild West, and, as a rogue drifter, gets involved in helping out various settlers threatened by various bad guys.
Stars: Nick Adams, Chuck Hamilton, Sid Troy, Ross Sturlin
Votes: 654
Leonard Nimoy in The Hunted
36. The Rifleman (1958–1963)
TV-PG | 30 min | Family, Western
The adventures of a Wild West rancher, wielding a customized rapid-fire Winchester rifle, and his son.
Stars: Chuck Connors, Johnny Crawford, Paul Fix, Joe Benson
Votes: 5,018
Grace Lee Whitney in The Hunted
37. The Rough Riders (1958–1959)
30 min | Western
After the Civil War, two former Union soldiers and an ex-Confederate team up to travel the West.
Stars: Kent Taylor, Jan Merlin, Peter Whitney, Bill Catching
Votes: 85
DeForest Kelley in The Nightbinders Leonard Nimoy in Gunpoint Persuasion
38. The Tall Man (1960–1962)
30 min | Western
Fictionalized stories about Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid set in New Mexico in the 1870s.
Stars: Barry Sullivan, Clu Gulager, Walter Lawrence, Mark Tapscott
Votes: 200
Leonard Nimoy in A Bounty for Billy, A Gun Is for Killing
39. The Virginian (1962–1971)
TV-PG | 75 min | Western
Personable Western series based in Wyoming from the 1890s onward.
Stars: Doug McClure, James Drury, Lee J. Cobb, Sara Lane
Votes: 3,162
DeForest Kelley in Duel at Shiloh, Man of Violence, Gene Roddenberry wrote Run Away Home, Grace Lee Witney in Echo of Another Day, The Mustangers, Jimmy Doohan in The Man Who Couldn't Die, Letter of the Law, Leonard Nimoy in Man of Violence, The Showdown, Show Me a Hero, William Shatner in Black Jade, The Claim, Walter Koenig in Crooked Corner
40. Tombstone Territory (1957–1960)
TV-PG | 30 min | Western
Tough Sheriff Clay Hollister keeps the law in Tombstone, Arizona with the support of his faithful deputies and the editor of the local newspaper.
Stars: Pat Conway, Richard Eastham, Quentin Sondergaard, Bill Catching
Votes: 538
Leonard Nimoy in The Horse Thief
41. Trackdown (1957–1959)
30 min | Western
Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman travels the Old West tracking down assorted killers, bank robbers, horse thieves, and other evil-doers.
Stars: Robert Culp, Norman Leavitt, Ellen Corby, Peter Leeds
Votes: 336
DeForest Kelley in End of an Outlaw, The Jailbreak, Hard Lines, Quiet Night in Porter
42. Two Faces West (1960–1961)
30 min | Western
Marshal Ben January and his twin brother, Dr. Rick January (both played by Charles Bateman) fight to establish law and order in the wild frontier town of Gunnison in the 1860s.
Stars: Charles Bateman, Francis De Sales, Joyce Meadows, Paul Comi
Votes: 30
DeForest Kelley in Fallen Gun, Doctor's Orders Gene Roddenberry wrote The Lesson
43. Wagon Train (1957–1965)
TV-PG | 75 min | Western
Stories of the journeys of a wagon train as it leaves post-Civil War Missouri on its way to California through the plains, deserts, and Rocky Mountains.
Stars: Frank McGrath, Terry Wilson, Robert Horton, John McIntire
Votes: 3,753
Leonard Nimoy in The Estaban Zamora Story, The Maggie Hamilton Story, The Tiburcio Mendez Story, The Baylor Crofoot Story Grace Lee Whitney in The Andrew Elliott Story
44. Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958–1961)
TV-PG | 30 min | Western
A Civil War veteran with a sawed-off rifle as a holstered weapon makes a living as a bounty hunter in the Wild West of the 1870s.
Stars: Steve McQueen, Wright King, Olan Soule, Mort Mills
Votes: 2,777
DeForest Kelley in Secret Ballot, The Empty Cell
45. Wrangler (1960)
30 min | Drama, Western
Pitcairn is a roving cowboy who rides the 1880s Western frontier helping people.
Stars: Jason Evers, Eli Boraks, Julie Adams, Susan Oliver
Votes: 23
Gene Roddenberry wrote Incident at the Bar M
46. Zane Grey Theatre (1956–1961)
TV-PG | 25 min | Western
An anthology based (earlier more so than later) on the novels and stories of Zane Grey. Dick Powell was often the star, as well as the host.
Stars: Dick Powell, Walter Sande, Denver Pyle, Bill Erwin
Votes: 582
DeForest Kelley in Stage for Tucson, Village of Fear, Shadow of a Dead Man, Calico Bait Grace Lee Whitney in Honor Bright
47. Colt .45 (1957–1960)
30 min | Western
Christopher Colt appeared to be a gun salesman, but he was actually a government agent tracking down notorious bad guys. His cousin Sam took the lead when the studio had contract disputes with the original star.
Stars: Wayde Preston, Donald May, Kenneth MacDonald, Don 'Red' Barry
Votes: 133
Leonard Nimoy in Night of Decision
48. Rango (1967)
30 min | Comedy, Western
The adventures of Rango, a bumbling Texas Ranger stationed at Deep Wells Ranger Station in the late 19th century, and his sidekick, the cowardly Indian scout Pink Cloud.
Stars: Tim Conway, Guy Marks, Norman Alden, Michael Carr
Votes: 100
Grace Lee Whitney in My Teepee Runneth Over
49. The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1956–1958)
30 min | Adventure, Western
The adventures of frontier hero Jim Bowie are brought to life in this popular children's television series.
Stars: Scott Forbes, William Schallert, John Laing, Joyce Vanderveen
Votes: 278
DeForest Kelley in An Eye for an Eye
50. Whiplash (1960–1961)
30 min | Western
The story of American Christopher Cobb and his foundation of Australia's first coach-line, which he established in the colony of New South Wales, Australia.
Stars: Peter Graves, Tony Wickert, Robert Tudawali, Phillip Ross
Votes: 89
Gene Roddenberry wrote Sarong, Episode in Bathurst, Dutchman's Reef, The Actress
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