Fictional Cattlemen and Cattlewomen
Famous cattle barons and ranch bosses of film, television and fiction.
22 profiles
Texas
- 1952 (novel); 1956 (film)Bick BenedictRock Hudson's Bick Benedict became the screen's model of the old-line Texas cattleman facing oil money and a changing…Texas
- 1985 (novel)Woodrow F. CallLarry McMurtry's taciturn former Ranger insists on driving cattle to Montana, and the trip defines him.Texas
- fl. 1900s-1950sHopalong CassidyA limping, tobacco-chewing foreman in pulp stories became the black-clad hero of 66 films and one of television's…Texas
- 1948Thomas DunsonIn Howard Hawks's first western, John Wayne plays a ruthless Texas rancher who stakes everything on one long drive.Texas
- fl. 1978-1991Bobby EwingThe good brother of the Ewing family ran the cattle side of Southfork and balanced J. R.'s oil dealings.Texas
- fl. 1978-1991J. R. EwingThe villain viewers loved to hate ran Ewing Oil from a Texas ranch house and became one of television's best-known…Texas
- 1978-1981 (on screen)Jock EwingThe founding father of television's best-known Texas ranch family, played by Jim Davis, was an oilman first and a…Texas
- fl. 1978-1991Miss Ellie EwingThe family matriarch anchors Southfork, the Ewing ranch, and ties the cattle family to its land.Texas
- 1959-1965 (on screen)Gil FavorEric Fleming's Gil Favor opened most Rawhide episodes with a trail boss's monologue and kept a herd moving for seven…Texas
- 1985 (novel)Augustus McCraeGus McCrae is the talker in Larry McMurtry's partnership, a former Ranger whose last request ends the drive.Texas
- fl. 1958Major Henry TerrillA proud rancher and his rival wage a feud over water in William Wyler's 1958 Western, with a newcomer caught between…Texas
Australia
- fl. 1939-1942Lady Sarah AshleyAn English noblewoman inherits a Northern Territory cattle station and must drive a herd to Darwin to keep it.Australia
- fl. 1939-1942King CarneyThe film's ruthless cattle baron controls the Northern Territory beef trade and wants Faraway Downs for himself.Australia
- fl. 1890Harrison (The Man from Snowy River)Paterson's most famous poem starts with a valuable colt and a station owner who needs riders, and Harrison is the name…Australia
California
- 1965-1969 (on screen)Nick BarkleyPeter Breck's Nick Barkley ran the family ranch with a short fuse, a black hat and a growing respect for his half…California
- 1965-1969 (on screen)Victoria BarkleyBarbara Stanwyck's Victoria Barkley ran a California ranch and a grown family without ever being played as fragile.California
Montana
- 2018John Dutton IIIThe head of a multigenerational Montana ranching family, defending a fictional ranch against neighbors, developers and…Montana
- fl. 1880s (film 2003)Charley Waite and Boss Spearman (Open Range)Two landless cowboys graze their herd on the last free land and run into a wealthy rancher who wants them gone.Montana