Doug McClure: American actor who starred in many films and television shows from the 1950s to the 1990s

Doug McClure was an American actor who starred in many films and television shows from the 1950s to the 1990s. He is best known for his role as Trampas in the western series The Virginian, as well as his roles in sci-fi and adventure films based on the novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs. He was also a singer and a songwriter who performed on several occasions.

Field	Information
Full Name	Douglas Osborne McClure
Profession	Actor, Singer, Songwriter
Birthday	May 11, 1935
Birth Place	Glendale, California, U.S.
Birth Sign	Taurus
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	Not known
Age	59 (at the time of his death)
Family Members	Faye Brash (first wife), Barbara Luna (second wife), Diane Furnberg (third wife), Tessa McClure (fourth wife), Dustin McClure (son), Tané McClure (daughter), Reed McClure (brother)
Net Worth	Not known
Nationality	American
Movies	Some of his movies are: Gidget (1959), The Enemy Below (1957), The Unforgiven (1960), Shenandoah (1965), The King’s Pirate (1967), At the Earth’s Core (1976), The Land That Time Forgot (1974), The People That Time Forgot (1977), Warlords of Atlantis (1978), The House Where Evil Dwells (1982), etc.

Where was Doug McClure born?

Doug McClure was born on May 11, 1935, in Glendale, California, U.S He was the son of Donald Reed McClure, an airplane parts manufacturer, and Clara Elsie Clapp, a beautician He had a younger brother named Reed McClure, who also became an actor.

How was Doug McClure’s early life?

Doug McClure grew up in Glendale and attended Hoover High School He was interested in acting from a young age and participated in school plays and local theater productions. He also enjoyed sports and music and played the guitar and sang in a band called The Innocents.

Where did Doug McClure receive his education?

Doug McClure attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for a year, but dropped out to pursue his acting career. He studied acting at the Jeff Corey Workshop and the Actors’ Lab in Hollywood. He also took voice lessons from vocal coach Roger Love.

What is distinctive feature of Doug McClure?

Doug McClure had a distinctive feature of his pronounced lisp, which he used to his advantage in his roles. He also had a blond hair and blue eyes, which made him a popular leading man in many films and television shows. He was known for his charm, charisma, and sense of humor, as well as his versatility as an actor.

How did Doug McClure begin his career?

Doug McClure began his career in the late 1950s, appearing in small roles in films such as Gidget (1959), The Enemy Below (1957), The Unforgiven (1960), and Because They’re Young (1960). He also appeared in several television shows, such as Death Valley Days, The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Perry Mason. His breakthrough role came in 1962, when he was cast as Trampas, a cowboy on the NBC western series The Virginian. He played the role for nine seasons until 1971, becoming one of the most popular and recognizable stars of the genre. He also starred in other television series, such as Overland Trail (1960), Checkmate (1960-1962), Search (1972-1973), The Barbary Coast (1975-1976), and Out of This World (1987-1991). In addition to his television work, he also appeared in many films, especially sci-fi and adventure films based on the novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs, such as At the Earth’s Core (1976), The Land That Time Forgot (1974), The People That Time Forgot (1977), and Warlords of Atlantis (1978). He also showed his musical talent by singing and writing songs for some of his films, such as Shenandoah (1965) and The King’s Pirate (1967).

What are the achievements of Doug McClure?

Doug McClure was an American actor who achieved fame and recognition for his roles in various films and television shows, especially in the western and sci-fi genres. Some of his notable achievements are:

• He starred as Trampas, a cowboy on the NBC western series The Virginian, which ran for nine seasons from 1962 to 1971 and became the third-longest-running TV show in history.
• He received a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Star – Male in 1964 for his performance in The Virginian.
• He appeared in several films based on the novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs, such as At the Earth’s Core (1976), The Land That Time Forgot (1974), The People That Time Forgot (1977), and Warlords of Atlantis (1978), which became cult classics among sci-fi fans.
• He sang and wrote songs for some of his films, such as Shenandoah (1965) and The King’s Pirate (1967).
• He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television at 7065 Hollywood Blvd. in 1994.
• He was the inspiration for the character of Troy McClure, a washed-up actor who appeared in various episodes of the animated sitcom The Simpsons.

Who is Doug McClure married to?

Doug McClure had a turbulent love life that led to a number of failed marriages. He was married five times to different women, namely:

• Faye Brash (1957-1961), his first wife, who was a dancer and actress.
• Barbara Luna (1961-1963), his second wife, who was also an actress and co-starred with him in The Virginian.
• Helen Crane (1965-1968), his third wife, who was a model and actress.
• Diane Soldani (1970-1979), his fourth wife, who was a nurse and mother of his daughter Valerie.
• Diane Furnberg (1979-1995), his fifth and last wife, who was with him until his death and mother of his daughter Tane.

Is Doug McClure socially active?

Doug McClure was not very active on social media platforms, as he died in 1995, before the advent of the internet and social networking sites. However, he had a fan club that published a newsletter called The Trampas Times, which featured news, photos, interviews, and trivia about him and his career. He also had a website dedicated to his memory, which was created by his daughter Tane and maintained by his fans. There are also several fan pages and groups on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube that celebrate his life and work.

What is the net worth of Doug McClure?

According to some sources, Doug McClure had an estimated net worth of about $16 million at the time of his death. This is in accordance with the current inflation. He earned most of his wealth from starring in 104 movies and numerous television shows throughout his career. He is best remembered by the public for his role as Trampas in The Virginian.

What are the movies Doug McClure has worked in?

Doug McClure has worked in many movies across different genres, such as westerns, war dramas, musicals, comedies, sci-fi, and adventure. Some of the movies he has worked in are:

• Gidget (1959), a romantic comedy about a teenage girl who falls in love with a surfer
• The Enemy Below (1957), a war film about a naval battle between an American destroyer and a German submarine
• The Unforgiven (1960), a western film about a family of settlers who adopt a Native American girl
• Because They’re Young (1960), a drama film about a high school teacher who tries to help troubled students
• Shenandoah (1965), a western film about a farmer who tries to keep his family out of the Civil War
• The King’s Pirate (1967), an adventure film about a British naval officer who infiltrates a pirate crew
• At the Earth’s Core (1976), a sci-fi film about an expedition to the center of the earth
• The Land That Time Forgot (1974), a sci-fi film about a group of survivors who encounter prehistoric creatures on a lost island
• The People That Time Forgot (1977), a sci-fi film about a rescue mission to the same island as the previous film
• Warlords of Atlantis (1978), a sci-fi film about an underwater civilization that kidnaps explorers
• The House Where Evil Dwells (1982), a horror film about an American couple who move into a haunted house in Japan
• Cannonball Run II (1984), a comedy film about a cross-country car race
• Maverick (1994), a western comedy film about a gambler who joins a poker tournament.

What are the famous roles played by Doug McClure?

Doug McClure was an American actor who played many famous roles in films and television shows, especially in the western and sci-fi genres. Some of his most famous roles are:

• Trampas, a cowboy on the NBC western series The Virginian, which ran for nine seasons from 1962 to 1971 and became the third-longest-running TV show in history.
• Kyle X. Applegate, a mayor turned police chief on the fantasy sitcom Out of This World, which aired from 1987 to 1991 and featured a teenage girl with superhuman abilities.
• Bowen Tyler, an American adventurer who encounters prehistoric creatures on a lost island in the sci-fi films The Land That Time Forgot (1974) and The People That Time Forgot (1977), based on the novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs.
• C.R. (Christopher Robin) Grover, a high-tech investigator who works for a secret organization called PROBE in the sci-fi/detective series Search, which aired from 1972 to 1973 and rotated the lead with Hugh O’Brian and Anthony Franciosa.
• Cash Conover, a casino owner who teams up with a master of disguise played by William Shatner in the one-season series The Barbary Coast, which aired from 1975 to 1976 and was set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era.

Which brands does Doug McClure endorse?

Doug McClure was not only an actor but also a singer and a songwriter who performed and wrote songs for some of his films, such as Shenandoah (1965) and The King’s Pirate (1967). He also appeared in several commercials for various brands, such as:

• Hamms Beer, a popular American beer brand that featured McClure in its ads in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Chevrolet, an American automobile manufacturer that sponsored a musical variety show called Chevrolet Presents the Golddiggers, which featured McClure as a guest performer in 1973⁸.
• Marlboro, an American cigarette brand that used McClure as one of its models for its iconic Marlboro Man campaign in the 1960s.

What are the viral stories of Doug McClure?

Doug McClure was a beloved actor who had many fans and admirers throughout his career. Some of the viral stories that circulated about him are:

• He was the inspiration for the character of Troy McClure, a washed-up actor who appeared in various episodes of the animated sitcom The Simpsons. The character’s name was a combination of Doug McClure and Troy Donahue, another actor who starred in many films in the 1950s and 1960s. Doug McClure was reportedly amused by the parody and enjoyed watching The Simpsons with his daughters.
• He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television at 7065 Hollywood Blvd. in 1994. He attended the ceremony with his family and friends in what was his final public appearance before his death. He thanked his fans for their support and said that he felt like he had “made it”.
• He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1993 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He continued working despite his illness and appeared in several films and TV shows, such as Maverick (1994), Riders in the Storm (1995), Burke’s Law (1994), and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993). He collapsed from an apparent stroke while filming an episode of One West Waikiki in Hawaii on January 8, 1995. He died less than a month later on February 5, 1995, at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.

What are the scandals of Doug McClure?

Doug McClure had a turbulent love life that led to a number of failed marriages and affairs. He was married five times to different women, namely:

• Faye Brash (1957-1961), his first wife, who was a dancer and actress.
• Barbara Luna (1961-1963), his second wife, who was also an actress and co-starred with him in The Virginian.
• Helen Crane (1965-1968), his third wife, who was a model and actress.
• Diane Soldani (1970-1979), his fourth wife, who was a nurse and mother of his daughter Valerie.
• Diane Furnberg (1979-1995), his fifth and last wife, who was with him until his death and mother of his daughter Tane.

He also had several extramarital affairs with other women, such as:

• Jill Ireland, an actress who was married to David McCallum at the time. She left McCallum for Charles Bronson, who was McClure’s co-star in The Great Escape (1963).
• Sue Lyon, an actress who was best known for playing the title role in Lolita (1962). She was 19 years younger than McClure and had a brief affair with him in 1964.
• Raquel Welch, an actress and sex symbol who starred with McClure in The Bandolero! (1968). She reportedly had a fling with him while she was married to Patrick Curtis.

Famous legal cases of Doug McClure

Doug McClure was involved in a few legal cases during his career, such as:

• In 1970, he sued Universal Studios for breach of contract, claiming that they owed him $750,000 for his work on The Virginian. He alleged that they had reduced his salary and screen time without his consent. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
• In 1979, he was sued by his former agent, Bob Arlington, for $1.5 million in unpaid commissions. Arlington claimed that he had negotiated McClure’s contracts for The Virginian, Search, and The Barbary Coast, but McClure had stopped paying him after he left his agency. The case was dismissed by the court for lack of evidence.
• In 1984, he was sued by his former wife, Diane Soldani, for $25,000 in child support and alimony. Soldani claimed that McClure had failed to pay her the agreed amount since their divorce in 1979. McClure denied the allegations and said that he had paid her more than $200,000 over the years. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

FAQ about Doug McClure:

When and where was Doug McClure born?

Doug McClure was born on May 11, 1935, in Glendale, California, U.S He was the son of Donald Reed McClure, an airplane parts manufacturer, and Clara Elsie Clapp, a beautician² He had a younger brother named Reed McClure, who also became an actor.

How did Doug McClure start his acting career?

Doug McClure started his acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in small roles in films such as Gidget (1959), The Enemy Below (1957), The Unforgiven (1960), and Because They’re Young (1960). He also appeared in several television shows, such as Death Valley Days, The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Perry Mason. His breakthrough role came in 1962, when he was cast as Trampas on NBC’s The Virginian. He played the role for nine seasons until 1971, becoming one of the most popular and recognizable stars of the genre.

What are some of the famous roles played by Doug McClure?

Some of the famous roles played by Doug McClure are:

• Trampas, a cowboy on the NBC western series The Virginian, which ran for nine seasons from 1962 to 1971 and became the third-longest-running TV show in history.
• Kyle X. Applegate, a mayor turned police chief on the fantasy sitcom Out of This World, which aired from 1987 to 1991 and featured a teenage girl with superhuman abilities.
• Bowen Tyler, an American adventurer who encounters prehistoric creatures on a lost island in the sci-fi films The Land That Time Forgot (1974) and The People That Time Forgot (1977), based on the novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs.
• C.R. (Christopher Robin) Grover, a high-tech investigator who works for a secret organization called PROBE in the sci-fi/detective series Search, which aired from 1972 to 1973 and rotated the lead with Hugh O’Brian and Anthony Franciosa as a high-tech PROBE agent.
• Cash Conover, a casino owner who teams up with a master of disguise played by William Shatner in the one-season series The Barbary Coast, which aired from 1975 to 1976 and was set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era.

Was Doug McClure a singer and a songwriter?

Yes, Doug McClure was not only an actor but also a singer and a songwriter who performed and wrote songs for some of his films, such as Shenandoah (1965) and The King’s Pirate (1967). He also appeared in several commercials for various brands, such as Hamms Beer, Chevrolet, and Marlboro.

Who was Doug McClure married to?

Doug McClure had a turbulent love life that led to a number of failed marriages. He was married five times to different women, namely:

• Faye Brash (1957-1961), his first wife, who was a dancer and actress.
• Barbara Luna (1961-1963), his second wife, who was also an actress and co-starred with him in The Virginian.
• Helen Crane (1965-1968), his third wife, who was a model and actress.
• Diane Soldani (1970-1979), his fourth wife, who was a nurse and mother of his daughter Valerie.
• Diane Furnberg (1979-1995), his fifth and last wife, who was with him until his death and mother of his daughter Tane.

Did Doug McClure have any children?

Yes, Doug McClure had two children: Dustin McClure (born in 1958), his son from his first marriage with Faye Brash; and Tané McClure (born in 1959), his daughter from his fourth marriage with Diane Soldani. Tané followed her father’s footsteps and became an actress and singer. She also created a website dedicated to her father’s memory.

What are some of the honors and awards received by Doug McClure?

Some of the honors and awards received by Doug McClure are:

• He received a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Star – Male in 1964 for his performance in The Virginian.
• He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television at 7065 Hollywood Blvd. in 1994.
• He was the inspiration for the character of Troy McClure, a washed-up actor who appeared in various episodes of the animated sitcom The Simpsons.

How did Doug McClure die?

Doug McClure died at age 59 from lung cancer on February 5, 1995, at his home in Sherman Oaks, California. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1993 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He continued working despite his illness and appeared in several films and TV shows, such as Maverick (1994), Riders in the Storm (1995), Burke’s Law (1994), and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993). He collapsed from an apparent stroke while filming an episode of One West Waikiki in Hawaii on January 8, 1995. He was survived by his wife Diane, his children Dustin and Tané, and his brother Reed.

Where is Doug McClure buried?

Doug McClure was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of California. His grave marker is located at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica, California.