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Johnny Crawford felt ''pathetic'' as Chuck Connors' son
And really, could you blame him?
It's not easy to live in anybody's shadow, let alone a world-famous actor and athlete. No matter who you are, chances are, you'll be measured by someone else's success. Whether that other person is a parent, a sibling, or even a more accomplished friend, we all know what it feels like to be weighed against somebody better.
Comparison is the thief of joy, and can test the ties that bind.
So, it's no surprise that young Johnny Crawford felt insecure when he was brought onto The Rifleman. There, he'd play Mark McCain, son of Lucas, who Chuck Connors played. Not only was Connors an intimidating specimen of a man at 6'5", but the actor was also a former pro ball player in both the MLB and NBA. Those are, quite literally, big shoes to fill!
In a 1985 interview with The Newark Advocate, Crawford spoke about how nerve-wracking it felt stepping onto the set as The Rifleman's kid.
"When I tried out for The Rifleman, I was dark, skinny and pathetic looking. I was astonished that they hired me because I didn't look at all like Chuck who's big and blond. I'd always played orphans or refugees. But the producers must've liked something about me and so I got the part and they had my hair dyed blond to look more like Chuck."
Obviously, Crawford grew into the role and became one of the most beloved characters in Western TV history.
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