DANIEL BOONE's #1 Son never saw Fess Parker's DAVY CROCKETT! Family Secrets Revealed by Darby Hinton

Child actor Darby Hinton, Israel Boone on DANIEL BOONE, began work before he was even a year old! It's been an amazing adventure and it continues with meaty roles in such popular programs as the History Channel's miniseries, TEXAS RISING, and an annual appearance in the long running Beverly Hills play, THE MANSION. Darby was born into an acting family and shares a gift for storytelling and a love of show business. How he landed the star making role of Israel Boone is one of Hollywood's most amazing stories. In this interview from 2016 at The Autry, you'll find out why young Darby and Fess Parker bonded so closely. It's not just because their birthdays are days apart. Darby was born August 19, 1957, and Fess was born August 16, 1924. You'll relive with Darby his memory about being in a runaway wagon on THE BIG VALLEY with a future Oscar winner holding the reins. You'll also hear from Darby of his meeting with a painted blue (all over) Bill Paxton while on location in Mexico and many other tales of movie making and family fun.
#famouspeople #danielboone #interview #hollywood #childstar #actor #actorslife #TV
#tvclassics #filmhistory #darby #darbyhinton #RobWord #wordonwesterns #talkshow

[@lindafurr2404]

Darby was a good child actor & I’m glad he didn’t turn into a drug addict like so many child actors. 5 kids! No wonder he’s still working😁 Bring him back again, Rob. I know he’s got more stories to tell. Thank you for keeping our heroes alive for us. Have a safe & blessed day.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Linda. He's a GOOD DAD, too!

[@pandachickenmama]

@@AWordonWesterns I know Darby also did some fundraising for another former child actor who recently passed, Johnny Crawford. This interview is very enjoyable. Would love to hear more of his stories! Thank you!

[@bettyc.parker-young1437]

Thank you for sharing memories of our childhood past.😃

[@LastUnicorn52]

WOW , he was friends w/ so many power hitters truly blessed , thanks WoW

[@crsmith845]

I love. Darby. Hinton! He actually commented on my post! 💕 he was such a wonderful child actor!!Thank you. Rob for this awesome interview

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, CR

[@OdeeOz]

*What a great guy he was on set of **_Bill Tllghman_** recently shot in West VA. Love these great, timeless incites into my childhood era, the hero's & role models that molded me through adulthood. :D Who else recalls Johnny Carson having, Mingo, played by the marvelous Ed Ames on his show. and the tomahawk throw that shocked Johnny and had the audience in tears laughing?*

[@danielnormand8156]

Nice to see him all grown up. He's so funny.

[@takkmoran9770]

A really enjoyable interview Rob. When I hear so many sad stories about child actors growing up to have troubled adult lives, it's especially great to see that some grown up to be wonderful adults and have successful careers. And as Darby Hinton proves here, they have fascinating stories to tell! Thanks Rob for another amazing interview!!!

[@sandrasanders706]

What a awesome interview! He was such a cute kid, and escaped the usual child actor horror story..miss Bill Paxton though. get Darby back!!

[@takkmoran9770]

@@sandrasanders706 I think you're right Sandra, this was a great interview and Darby is an interviewee worthy of bringing back for another episode.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, takk and sandra. We'll get him back for more Hollywood tales!

[@davepalmerton2429]

Darby is quite the story teller. Being about the same age, I watched Israel with a lot of envy on Daniel Boone. He got to live the adventure, that I watched every week. Great memories.

[@scottcaldwell7480]

Some kid’s heroes were sports stars, musicians or actors. Mine were Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett and George Rogers Clark.

[@scottmcknight8805]

I met both Rob Word and Darby Hinton in Tunica Mississippi 2 years ago. They were and are lovely people, and very down to earth.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Scott. Hope to catch you at more events.

[@tomsmith5216]

I would really enjoy spending a day with Mr. Word just talking westerns.

[@devilsden2283]

Just a wonderful energetic interview....loved Daniel Boone as a kid and so happy to see Darby doing so well as he continues to entertain....Fess Parker will always be one of my favorite actors as both Dan'l & Davy....may he rest in eternal peace.....love this gem of a site!

[@stephenannese8228]

What a great dude/Darby is,...one of my favorite show's growing up in the late 60's/1970's-syndication/Daniel Boone..!,....thanx Rob.

[@wakajumba]

Cool guy. I was just a kid his age when Boone was on tv. Time flies! Glad to see Darby is well.

[@kenshores9900]

Rob: Another good one. I grew up watching Darby’s acting. Interesting hearing stories from his perspective..

[@weslove6018]

The main man behind The Davy Crockett fame spotted Fess Parker as the helicopter pilot in the movie THEM and said, that's my Davy Crockett!!

[@benb5960]

Yep, I checked it out.

[@electron4784]

That was a great one. He seems to be one of the few to survive child actor to adult actor.

[@janicehorner9762]

Really loved that show still do

[@hyacinth4368]

Enjoyed this. My family watched Daniel Boone every week. Darby was one of the cutest child actors ever.

[@richardrosenthal9552]

Darby Hinton is great fun to watch. I watched Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett as a kid. Loved them both. I do remember Darby in Daniel Boone very well but I didn’t remember the two sons that Darby talked about. That was truly amazing to hear about as was the story about Charlton Heston and how he lived the parts he played. The comment “it’s not easy living with Moses” was really funny to hear from someone who grew up with a godfather like Charlton Heston. Thanks for another wonderful show Rob.

[@waynegilchrist1596]

He looks so different than Daniel Boone's Israel but he's a great story teller. It must've been awesome growing up with all those famous actors and actresses around as themselves and not just in characters. It had to have been tough without having a dad though. He's an interesting man to listen to. Thank you Rob.

[@jimross7648]

As with anyone who makes AWOW a Sunday morning mandatory viewing. I had seen most of this video, but you know what it didn't matter at all. Rob and his editors just made this episode flow. It helps that Darby Hinton has an engaging personality and a has a relaxed humorous manner of telling stories about his life. The people he worked with, productions he worked on, and how felt about the events that made up his life. Rob as always, sets the stage, allowing his guest and their remembrance's to be the stars of the episode. Thanks for another entertaining video.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Jim. Enjoy your weekend!

[@davidschlecht3016]

Great story with Darby Hinton.Bringing back some great memories from the days of Daniel Boone and Fess Parker. I really loved Davy Crockett and when Fess Parker did Daniel Boone he and the whole cast just made the show so special. I still watch this show regularly and see Darby and think he was so lucky to be around Fess,Patricia, Ed, Dallas, etc. These were the great days of westerns and the making of history of our young country.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Dave. Thanks.

[@mrDCunningham]

This is fun and so interesting. Just wonderful. Thank so much Rob 👍🏻😎

[@Slick2462]

Just a great interview! Thanks Rob and all at AWOW👍😊

[@waynevia6976]

Great episode. A good way to start a sunday.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, wayne. Enjoy the day.

[@EldenSmith]

I know I've seen the short version of this ........but I'm glad that you had more to share of it Rob...... I enjoy listening to Darby talk about his time growing up. 👍

[@AWordonWesterns]

Me, too, Elden.

[@briansaunders2814]

I loved the show as a kid. Members of my church knew Mingo (in real life). I was always interested in the credits concerning Darby since the town I grew up in was Hinton.

[@marksheffer625]

Thanks Rob had no idea he was still acting . Always interesting information here have a blessed day!!!

[@harriethunter8910]

Loved this show. Darby was a lovely looking child

[@dot1shots61]

Interesting tidbit about Tyrone Power and Errol Flynn. They were great actors. I grew up watching their movies. Especially Errol Flynn's Captain Blood. Thanks for the video.

[@carolynpillsbury2735]

Darby is such a Character, I just think the world of him. Can't wait to see You and Him in November, hopefully!!! Great Interview Rob!!!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Carolyn. We, too, are "hopeful."

[@onelovechild1307]

Great interview! Enjoyed this!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sammychicken3457]

Really enjoyable Rob, What an interesting & humorous gentleman.

[@annaloveless4107]

I watch the Daniel Boone series on my phone. I love the series. I also have the 2 Disney movies of Davy Crockett.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Anna.

[@mikehagan4320]

That was a Fun Interview Rob Good to see Darby Doing so well. Best Wishes! M.H.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Mike. Thanks.

[@richb313]

Great interview Rob and thanks.

[@melbea03]

I hadn't seen the Davy Crocket shows till just recently too

[@thedoxinator3934]

😎 Rob , yet another great interview…I met Fess Parker at his winery in the early 2000’s …what a nice man , got his autograph on a bottle of wine & Davy Crockett vcr set…..

[@danielueblacker9118]

Darby is such a wonderful person and his story telling amazing. Hats off to the Interviewer outstanding job.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Daniel. Thanks.

[@janetnewbill291]

He was so cute that’s why!!! That’s crazy I just bought all the seasons of Daniel Boone I love it and I watched it as a kid!! I like fess Parker to!!

[@jimd8008]

Thanks again Rob!

[@Paladin1873]

Darby is a very witty storyteller, especially when you watch him at 1.5x and 2x speed. Now I'll always have that image of a blue crazy glued Bill Paxton in my mind, may he rest in peace.

[@RonI-qz2tz]

Loved Texas rising .

[@lourdescordero2683]

La serie de Daniel Boone, es lo más hermoso que he visto en vida, cada personaje es admirable, en especial Israel Boone, un niño inteligente y muy guapo 😍❤ uno de mis sueños es conocer en persona a este gran actor y a ED Ames. Desde el año pasado he visto los capítulos de esta serie, gracias a ello que mis días no fueron tan difíciles durante el encierro por la pandemia. Saludos cordiales para todos desde Perú 🇵🇪

[@AWordonWesterns]

Gracias, Lourdes.

[@deborahbennett76]

Great interview, Darby!

[@AWordonWesterns]

He's really funny. Thanks, Deb

[@kingskountry1246]

Excellent program, as usual.

[@williampalenik7306]

I grew up watching Daniel Boone I even have the shows on DVD.

[@brendapaddlety2413]

Darby Hinton was an adorable kid. A wonderful & enjoyable interview. I'm so glad he grew into a fine man. I had a crush on him 😍

[@AWordonWesterns]

I'll tell him, Brenda. Thanks.

[@brendapaddlety2413]

@@AWordonWesterns that would be wonderful 👏 tell him he's still handsome. Thank you.

[@kenhurley4441]

Amazing 18+ minutes of intertainment for us (just how many hours did it take to put this together?) and it went by way to fast! We're gonna have to change your last name from Word to Words! It's so refreshing to watch your productions. Keep'em coming!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Ken. Hours and hours of passion and fun!

[@519djw6]

When I was a little boy in the '60's I really liked "Daniel Boone." However, it never came close in popularity to "Davy Crockett," for which there was a mania when my older brother was my age.

[@CandysFavorites]

Have him back!!!

[@CRuf-qw4yv]

Always was a little jealous of Darby when he was on the Daniel Boone series. What kid wouldn't have loved to be a part of that. Although, having lived in Williamsburg, VA and Gettysburg PA when my father was working on upgrades to park service properties...and experiencing all the neat things that came out the Civil War Centennial in the early sixties, it was the Daniel Boone series that catapulted my interest and collection of early antiques and antique flintlock firearms. I know a lot of antique firearms enthusiasts who have said the same about Fess, Darby, Ed, and the rest of the cast.

[@jca4la]

I'm shocked at you Rob, a veteran interviewer showing know to never end on a pen!s joke 😀

[@hollywoodmediaprofessional3282]

Funny! More, more.

[@karenleemallonee684]

Great stories! What a handsome feller!!!

[@AWordonWesterns]

We agree! Thanks.

[@mjemigh3304]

I'm still a stranger in these parts, but I remember seeing this before. Must have been before I realized this is a whole and fantastic series. Since I'm sure I'm not the only tenderfoot here, maybe it would be a good idea to post reruns on a certain day. I have saved the page that lists all of the shows, but it is a HUGE list. A little daunting for some, I suspect. Feeding us the older ones a little at a time seems very palatable. I think we can all spare a half-hour or so each week to get caught up . I would also think that most of the viewers are in the age category where memory isn't as iron-clad as it once was, so the earlier ones even seem new! I'm in that category and I had forgotten at least half of your conversation with Darby. Anyway.....just a long-winded thought. Thanks again, Rob! I really enjoyed it.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, MJ. Our early episodes were all about 4 minutes long but as views on big screens are replacing phones, we've been going back to meet the demand to air entire interviews, especially during this time when we are not able to continue doing new interviews at the Autry Museum. Darby's original Daniel Boone episode ran 5:55 so there was a lot more new material to share. I'm happy spend the time going back into the "vault" to post interviews, unseen unless you were in the audience. Also, when Darby's 5 minute episode ran in 2016, we had 300 subscribers and were doing 15,000 views a month. Now we have 87,000 subscribers and do over 1,000,000 views a month so there is a huge number of western fans who have never seen any portion of our earliest conversations. Your memory is good, MJ, and the reason you had forgotten "half of the conversation with Darby," is that you couldn't have seen it...unless you were one of our base of film fans and filmmakers who crowd into the Wells Fargo Theater. Thanks for your comment. I think a lot of our old time AWOW fans might find this interesting. And you thought you were long winded! Ha. Rob

[@Labor_Jones]

Hi MJ, I thought there was either my memory going or ??? I'm glad that Rob figured us out enough to explain. I'm much happier with the Longer Format of Rob's work which matches my apparent limits for concentration ;). - m.

[@mjemigh3304]

@@AWordonWesterns Yow! 15,000 to 1,000,000 views in such a short time is one serious leap for mankind! Thanks for the explanation, and I do hope you will post the complete earlier conversations. Loads of us are lovin' it!

[@mjemigh3304]

@@Labor_Jones I never thought about people watching these on phones before he mentioned it. How can anybody DO that?!? Especially on-location westerns! Actors become microscopic when riding through Monument Valley or other wide-open-spaces. I suppose TV, with its closeups and mid shots could work, but I still wouldn't consider watching them on a phone. I admit that I often watch films on a full size iPad while at the gym, but that's as small as I go.

[@Labor_Jones]

@@mjemigh3304 I can understand, but maybe I'm a little older and remember the late 50s with B/W small round tubes slightly larger than your IPad with no where near the resolution a modern phone has. ... As a Traveling Entertainer I had a lot of 6 and 7 inch portable DVD players, but with the WATTAGE of the slim screens became 25 and 35 watt hrs I found I could use my Trailers Batteries to watch content. AT 14 I bought my 1st 14 inch semi-square RCA Color T.V. which then cost $270 bucks or about $2,500 today. This was 1967 shortly after Networks went color, but for the 4 hours of the Networks shows most of the content back then was B/W. For a while after the 2008 Recession my tour lost 1/2 the business, but at the same time SMART PHONES began coming out and I had a wonderful PALM Phone. It was nearly impossible to watch and I had to stick an Old thick Magnifying glass so I could see it.... you adjust is all I can say when what you have is all you got. All the Best. - m.

[@frankdodgee]

Sad he lost his Dad at such a young age. His Mom was quite savvy though the way she raised him. These days that could go either way. No pun intended. In any case he sure seems like he is a fun Dad himself

[@frankiereinares8892]

great interview.i was hoping he would share some stories of ms.barbara stanwick of big valley tv series in the course of your interview,anyway he has more stories to share i guess in future episodes.?

[@AWordonWesterns]

That's the full interview with Darcy, Frankie. But, he'll be one of my guests at the Lone Pine Film Festival in a couple of weeks, Oct 7-10, 2021, and I'm sure I'll get more goodies from Darby to share. Thanks.

[@davidurban6813]

I've never seen either program. Guess it's was before my time. Oh well ill get over it. Have a great day everyone

[@yepme6484]

Interview was to short, i wanted to hear more

[@AWordonWesterns]

yep, me, too. Darby Hinton will be joining me for more behind the scenes goodies at the Lone Pine Film Festival, Oct 7-10, 2021, and he'll be sharing more stories. Plus, more with Patrick Wayne, Bruce Boxleitner, Bobby Carradine, Claude Jarman, Jr., Bill Wellman, Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, Jay Dee Whitney and more!. Come see us LIVE! We're also gonna go horseback riding in the Alabama Hills! Yee ha!

[@tombankwel4822]

What stunning show, fess parker, and the rest of the family of actors, so great, funny to, kid actors always Steel the show 🤠 western thanks Rob Word laird of Word on Westerns laird and the Word manor, as always you have the Best clothes in the west 🤠 from your friend tom now and always 🤩 🤩 USA 😎 ☀️

[@Labor_Jones]

I saw the original program you made (this is it right?) and enjoyed it as much today. I went through a period of about 8 years where I bought nearly 1,000 T.V. Series from 1950s to the present in hopes I would pick up a lot about the writing, staging and other details of film making. One of the benefits for me to watch your programs is the 'artist/actors/etc' in the business sort of iron out details I missed... THANKS - m.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes, you are correct, Marvin. Check my response to MJ above. Thanks for your comment.

[@Labor_Jones]

@@AWordonWesternsOkay Rob I Got the Scoop. Can't wait to see what other interviewers might have said that time doesn't allow in a 4 minute video. Personally I prefer my content between 10 and 15 minutes, at the limit of my concentration abilities or maybe I mean my T.V. training ;)

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Marvin. I think 12-14 minutes is the perfect length. But, as I'm going back to my dailies and we're unable to resume production, I'm including everything that's usable into the new episodes even if, like this one, they may run a little longer.

[@haileyshannon7548]

And I always wondered why people got Crockett and Boone mixed up. It’s like Peter Pan and Robin Hood! I had a coonskin hat as a kid, but my dog ate it!

[@ep61611]

The name of the little girl who played his sister in The Big Valley was Margot Jane.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks.

[@Sennmut]

Can we ever find the special he did, as a kid, visiting the White House, and interviewing President Nixon? 1969, IIRC.

[@AWordonWesterns]

I'll ask him about it, Senn. Thanks.

[@dannylast8707]

need to here more stories about the men or women hes worked with..regis philbin was great at that

[@MrMelgibstein]

Great Parkinson impression.

[@patriotr.behnke3086]

👍🏻🇺🇸

[@JSB1882]

In reality Daniel Boone had something like ten children through his only wife.

[@GregInHouston2]

I don't remember a second son. I do remember a daughter! What happened to Jamima?

[@williambilyeu9801]

I missed Jemima played by Angela Cartwright too. I always hoped that they would do an episode about the actual kidnapping of the daughters of the Boone family and friends.

[@carloscordeiro9337]

Eu tenho vários DVDs da série Daniel Boone, intreviste o Ed Ames por favor

[@AWordonWesterns]

I don't speak or read Spanish, Carlos, but I can figure out you'd like for me to have Ed Ames as a guest. I would too! But, he won't do one. Arrgh!

[@carloscordeiro9337]

Aqui Brazil

[@RicktheCrofter]

@@AWordonWesterns Oops. That’s Portuguese, not Spanish. He is saying he has various Daniel Boone DVDs. And asks that you please interview Ed Ames. As you assumed.

[@jackcollins3196]

But Daniel Boone had a daughter why was she not on the show

[@AWordonWesterns]

Veronica Cartwright played Daniel's daughter, Jemima Boone, on the series, Jack.

[@terrysoule8441]

Daniel Boone had a number of children. Ironically, Israel Boone was killed before Daniel established Boonsboro. I am a 6th great grandson of Daniel through his youngest son Nathan.

[@shirleyduncan3653]

I heard the wife didn’t want her character to be old enough to have a teenage daughter. So they dropped her. Sad.

[@STho205]

@@terrysoule8441 yes. When i read a biography at 10 I wondered why the show featured tragic Israel, versus other sons. A great heritage you have.

[@STho205]

@@shirleyduncan3653 maybe but Veronica Cartwright was in several seasons and the chemistry with Patricia Blair was excellent. They were obviously pairing her character with Jeremiah Jones... Leaving the idea she married him as they both exited the cast at the same time without mention in the following season when Jimmy Dean arrived. Cartwright was back in movies after her time on DB. The two Cartwright sisters were extremely sucessful on many TV shows snd films in the 60s and 70s. I think she has been in every version of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" as different characters based on age.

[@jeffroegner1499]

Cowboys and stuff???? Dolt

[@samknapp8547]

Turn to Jesus Christ it's the most important

[@hiramnoone]

test

[@hiramnoone]

The youboob censors evidently deemed my Davy Crockett related post here unacceptable to their high standards of printable discourse.

[@hiramnoone]

As it was no small effort I saved it to my fb page for anyone curious enough to make the effort or who might find it fun to solve the problem as to how it may have violated their exalted standards.

[@hiramnoone]

hiram hacklesworth III will get you there.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Weird, Hiram. I just checked the KZbin Comments "Held for Review" and see nothing there.

[@hiramnoone]

@@AWordonWesterns Yeah, Rob. A mystery all right since there was nothing that even the most paranoid jack booted PC censor could possibly construe as offensive to anyone in it. Just some Crockett trivia stuff I thought had some marginal relevance to the discussion here and might be of interest. I used to have posts deleted a lot for expressing an opposing political view to the one that prevails here and I've learned to get used to it. And so I'm sure I'm under scrutiny. But this is the first time I've ever had a contribution denied here. Sometimes a deleted post will get through the next day, maybe when more reasonable or less vigilant censors are on duty, so I'll try one more time and see how it goes.

[@MyPrettyPinkCameltoe]

Pretty sure his name is Painal..

[@susanrutherford866]

Wonderful interview rob thanks!!!