Courtesy of the Faulkner Family
Edward Faulkner, the talented character actor whose career was propelled by director Andrew V. McLaglen, has passed away at the age of 93. He was well-known for his roles in iconic films such as McLintock!, Rio Lobo, The Green Berets, and in collaborations with John Wayne across several projects.
Faulkner died on August 26 from natural causes at a health care facility in Vista, California, as confirmed by his daughter Leslie Wadsworth to The Hollywood Reporter.
A strapping 6-foot-3, Faulkner was a native of Kentucky and showcased his horse-riding abilities in multiple television Westerns, including Have Gun – Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Bonanza, and The Virginian.
He made his film debut in G.I. Blues (1960) and went on to feature in the Elvis Presley film Tickle Me (1965), where he played the role of fitness instructor Brad Bentley.
Throughout his career, Faulkner worked alongside Wayne in a succession of films, including McLintock! (1963), The Green Berets (1968), Hellfighters (1968), The Undefeated (1969), Rio Lobo (1970), and Chisum (1970), with the majority directed by McLaglen.
In a 2019 interview, Faulkner humorously noted, “I never won a fight… I was always the bad guy.” He became a familiar face to audiences, embodying various antagonistic roles.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Born Fielden Edward Faulkner II on February 29, 1932, in Lexington, Kentucky, he was the youngest of two children. His father, a building supply company owner, and his mother, a music teacher, nurtured his artistic inclinations early on.
Faulkner’s formative years included a comedy act during high school and participation in plays at the University of Virginia and the University of Kentucky, from which he graduated in 1954. After two years as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, he moved to Los Angeles in 1958 to pursue an acting career.
His introduction to McLaglen led to his first television role in Have Gun – Will Travel, where he received a day rate of $80.
Notably, Faulkner shared a profound camaraderie with John Wayne, often playing chess during breaks in filming. He humorously recalled instances of letting Wayne win, and their friendship included an anecdote about Wayne’s endearing gesture of casting Faulkner’s daughters in a film.
Faulkner’s filmography also includes films such as How to Murder Your Wife, The Navy vs. the Night Monsters, Nobody’s Perfect, The Shakiest Gun in the West, and several television series, including Dragnet, Lassie, Gilligan’s Island, and The Six Million Dollar Man.
In 1976, he stepped back from acting for over a decade, during which he found success in the cargo container leasing business and in hotel operations globally.
Survivors include his daughters Jan, Barbara, and Leslie, as well as his son Edward III, and grandchildren. His late wife, Barbara, passed away in 2013, and she and Faulkner had shared nearly 60 years of marriage, having starred together in high school and college plays.
Faulkner’s family remembers him not only for his contributions to film but also for his lifelong passion for magic, frequently entertaining loved ones with sleight-of-hand tricks and illusions. He is cherished for his kindness and warmth, qualities that defined both his personal life and professional legacy.
Rhett Bartlett contributed to this report.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at Hollywood Reporter.