Former Tyrone resident Richard Stonebraker recently attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas where he met actor and western artist Buck Taylor, who, among the many characters he played in movies and television, was Newly O’Brien on the long-running television western Gunsmoke.
Taylor was on hand to sign autographs, take photos and promote his new western paintings. Taylor studied art in college but only turned to it professionally a few years ago. Taylor would draw and paint during breaks in filming on the set of many of the movies he starred in.
Stonebraker told The Daily Herald: “Buck was easygoing, bright and a gentleman. I got to spend about 15 minutes with him and felt very much at ease with this fine actor.”
Taylor has starred in 41 movies including Gettysburg, Tombstone, and Wild, Wild West. Besides Gunsmoke, he appeared in various episodes of Dallas, Knots Landing, the TNT mini series Rough Riders and 46 more guest appearances on television and the stage.
Stonebraker, who now resides in Texas, is a National Archery Champion. Stonebraker is the son of Alfreda Stonebraker of Tyrone. Richard was inducted as a member of the 2003 class of the Tyrone Monogram Club Hall of Fame.
