Charlie, Chuck Connors, & The Rifleman

[chaney]

There's a site on Chuck Connors and the Rifleman that has remembrances from the late producer Arnold Laven, who goes into detail about how Connors was cast in his most famous role.
Surprisingly, Bronson plays a role in the casting.

It seems Laven and his producing partner Art Gardner had seen Connors in the film OLD YELLER and thought he would be good as the title character Lucas McCain. Laven had briefly met Connors at a party but was surprised to look out his window at the Hal Roach Studios and see Connors himself engaged in conversation with Charles Bronson. Laven happened to know Bronson and walked out to join the two and become better acquainted with Connors, the man he and his partner wanted to cast. Laven began talking to Bronson and asked him what he was working on, when Charlie asked in turn what Laven was working on he mentioned in passing THE RIFLEMAN pilot. Connors became intrigued as Laven began to drop hints of the premise. Connors asked if there was a script and if he could see it. Laven obliged, his intention all the time. Later in the day Connors' agent contacted Laven and they negotiated to get Connors out of another pilot he was attached to so he could do RIFLEMAN.

So, in an indirect way Charlie Bronson played a part in getting Chuck Connors cast as THE RIFLEMAN. Curious if they ever considered Bronson himself for the Lucas McCain role, though elsewhere in Laven's remembrances he mentions the McCain prototype was John Wayne and James Arness. Surprised Charlie never made a guest shot on the show.

[maphillips3]

Interesting, thanks for the info CHANEY.

[hammer]

I know this is an old post, but Harriott mentions in the book "Charlie and me" that Bronson and Connors were good friends for many years. Chuck was often at the parties that the Bronsons had as was Lee Marvin and Steve McQueen.

[maphillips33]

Man, I didn't no that charlie had such, a influence on the making of the rifleman.