How I became a Western Star & replaced Steve McQueen! Robert Fuller remembers! AWOW!

In "The Return of the Magnificent Seven," actor Robert Fuller replaced Steve McQueen as “Vin.” Fuller recalls how he joined Oscar-winner Yul Brynner for the theatrical sequel to the classic western taking over the role portrayed by McQueen in the original film. After a heart pounding meeting with Brynner, Bob got the part and had one of the best times of his life on location with Yul.
In this episode, you’ll also learn why hard working young actor Robert Fuller turned down needed work and a lead role in a new detective series with Ray Milland. He really wanted to be a cowboy! Did it all pay off? You bet it did!
As a former stuntman, Robert Fuller worshiped stuntman actor Jock Mahoney and wanted to fight just like he saw his idol do in THE RANGE RIDER. Bob was thrilled when Jocko guest starred in an early episode of Fuller’s series, LARAMIE, and wanted to really impress him. Bob staged a terrific fight sequence in the 1962 episode "Man from Kansas," directed by Republic Pictures' Joseph Kane. Did Bob's fighting technique look familiar to Jocko?
Robert Fuller is one of the most admired and loved of all western actors. He brings his love of the business to this episode of A WORD ON WESTERNS, which producer/host Rob Word shot at the Williamsburg Film Festival’s Final Curtain, March 11, 2017, and is a compilation of several short episodes.
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#awordonwesterns #robertfuller #laramie #tvstar #westerngenre #tvwestern #magnificentseven #classictvshows #hero #stuntman #yulbrynner #actor #steve #stevemcqueen #jockmahoney
#idol #robword #interviewer #interview #storyteller #audition #1960s #retro #hollywood #cowboys

[@paulkitt-er9dr]

Wonderful story about Yul Bryner. Robert had a great chemistry with John Smith in Laramie really made the show .

[@johnreidy2804]

I agree their relationship was magic

[@wesmcgee1648]

Fuller has seen it all in early tv westerns. Great stories!

[@kenhurley4441]

Robert Fuller gave us his "full" talent in several movies and westerns! Remembering the good ole days is what I love! A+ Rob for this video!

[@azohundred1353]

That story about Laramie is great. Getting the role you wanted was not easy in those days, and Robert Fuller got it. Thanks for the interview, Rob.

[@donhosmer8159]

Robert Fuller is unmistakable in every role he played Even the smallest of parts

[@johnwarren1445]

Steve McQueen was Vin but Robert Fuller did a great job in the part,Kudos to him.

[@ryancarroll3961]

Wow He could have blown it in Hollywood or became a hero with that attitude Thank God he trusted his instincts and became the latter Great guy

[@gregbarnett3141]

Rob, thank you for this interview. I'm assuming I'm like some others that first remember him as Dr. Brackett, but I have since seen him in earlier shows. A really fine actor and great interview!

[@thack57]

Did he leave out Yul Brenner's response to McQueen? For those who haven't heard it: Legend has it that Mr. Brenner's response to McQueen's continuous messing with his hat so the he would draw the viewer's attention was, "If you don't stop that I'm going to take off my hat, and then no one will look at you for the rest of the film."

[@hiramnoone]

McQueen was a self centered nuisance to some of the other actors too. Remarking to one of them (Coburn I think) that instead of the entire Seven, the film should be more focused on one guy. With Coburn responding with, "So what guy did you have in mind, Steve?".

[@terryhurlburt9113]

McQueen was a rising star and Yul had already begun the downward spin. People would have kept looking at Steve. Girls anyway.

[@Rangersly]

Not many actors are more associated with westerns than Robert Fuller. He sure had some guts to say no to producers until he got exactly the role he wanted to break away with. Laramie, especially the early seasons with the great Hoagy Carmichael and young Bobby Crawford, is still my favorite series of his. And it fills my heart with joy to hear that his idol was Jock Mahoney, another favorite of mine.

[@johnvoorhees7881]

Robert might be my favorite all time voices. I grew up with him on "EMERGENCY!" And years later, I find him on all of the old westerns. He is a great guy.

[@richb313]

Thanks for this stories from Robert Fuller one of my favorite actors in Westerns Laramie was great but unaware of his connection and friendship with Yul Brynner and Jock Mahoney.

[@YohoPublications]

I really loved this episode. Robert Fuller was one of my western heroes as a child.

[@jasonwebb1969]

Robert is the best storyteller, and a dream interview or event guest: literally introduce him and get out of the way! 😄

[@terioswalt1909]

Always loved Robert Fuller! Great actor!

[@jamescaron6465]

Always liked Robert Fuller. Thanks for the great times.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Me, too! Our pleasure, James. Thanks.

[@willhorting5317]

I still watch Robert Fuller nearly every afternoon, in Laramie, and Wagon Train.

[@SusanH4626]

I love Robert Fuller❤❤❤❤! Loved Laramie!

[@tonyrollman3991]

High school would've been alot more fun if I looked like Robert Fuller

[@alananderson5929]

Spot on comments and what’s Really cool is: they’re running Laramie on the western channel-We all loved Robert. Thanks Pard. SF🇺🇸

[@maryuline2585]

Wonderful interview and stories!!

[@terryhurlburt9113]

Loved Robert Fuller! Laramie, Wagon Train, & EMERGENCY. He was one of the good ones! I think it was a TV guide interview, Robert Said that he had just bought a brand new pair of Cowboy boots when he got the call from Jack Webb about being a Doctor in EMERGENCY.

[@guitartim2128]

Robert Fuller is a favorite of mine so I was very glad to see this. Thanx Word on Westerns🎸👍

[@OldBiker54]

One of my Favorite Actor

[@fokkerd3red618]

Rob, That was and excellent interview with Robert Fuller, especially the last part about the barn door. That had me cracking up.

[@williambilyeu9801]

I have long been a fan of Robert Fuller. I watched him on "Laramie" and "Wagon Train." I even watched "Emergency." I also liked it when he would guest star on "Walker, Texas Ranger" with Chuck Norris. 👍😊

[@xray86delta]

I remember Robert Fuller the most from "Emergency" in the 70s.😉

[@cyberius7042]

Great interview, I wish this was 3 hrs long.

[@joansmith1195]

Robert is a great story teller. Loved him in everything that he did.

[@rosezingleman5007]

I love to see Robert Fuller in Gentlemen Prefer Blonds and I Love Melvin. What a hunk!

[@grahamhill6340]

ROBERT FULLER outlasted a good many of his fellow western actors who came from television... Always down-to-earth and full of good stories, he knew he wasn't going to become a big star like Steve McQueen or James Garner, but he had fun in just being a part of that group. United Artists were desperate for money by the mid-1960's so they insisted that producer Walter Mirisch make sequels to THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, which were always going to be inferior without good writers and actors, still they entertained and made money on low Spanish budgets. UA bought out the Mirisch Corporation that gaves us and them so many iconic hits, and they also became the model that overtook the old studio system. At least because of their frugality, UA had the sense to keep the ELMER BERNSTEIN musical magic to make Fuller, George Kennedy and alike, ride tall in the saddle as Yul Brnyner and Steve McQueen!

[@zorrpop]

90 and what a memory . Great stories too ! Thanks Rob

[@AndyTempleman-ot6lu]

Good for Robert for having such confidence in his choices.

[@jimross7648]

I always liked Robert Fuller as an actor. He was a western movie actor, whom you believed was the part he played. Although Return of the Magnificent Seven was not in the same class as its predecessor, it was a solid western. The stellar supporting cast of the original couldn't be duplicated, but I personally thought Fuller did an adequate job as Vin. Solid interview as always, and I learned stuff I didn't know about the actor and some of the productions he was and wasn't in. I'm sure his independent streak must have driven his agent crazy, but knowing who he was and what he wanted to do in TV and films, made him the unique screen presence that he was.

[@jerryblackerby7017]

A great interview 👍

[@Kw1161]

Thanks Rob for sharing Robert Fuller’s advice on how not to impress your heroes….😂! Hope you have a wonderful 2024!

[@charleslennonbaker]

A lesson from a "old" hand sticking to his guns, bravo!

[@charleslennonbaker]

I mean, YEEHAW!

[@swimasfastasyoucan]

Awesome interview..thanks rob

[@jozatexan1964]

GREAT interview . Loved it.

[@elizabethbeckman1947]

He gives great interviews. This is a special treat for me, so many years of joy and pleasure watching Robert Fuller, one of my all time favorite performers - one great storyteller too. 90 in '23, what a blessing! I like that he knew what he wanted, what was right for him and went for it. The time must have been right - I also like that he accepted the role of Kelly Brackett, Emergency!. As a person, as an actor, one of the best.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Couldn't agree more! Thanks, elizabeth.

[@philigan2339]

❤ it, ❤ it, ❤ it, Thanks to everyone involved in putting this together.

[@ronevans852]

Great video Rob love those western.

[@williamclifford9757]

Great story ! Absolutely brilliant..

[@pablobruning4508]

Growing up in the 60s and 70s, I only knew him as Dr. Kelly Brackett in the 1970s medical/action drama Emergency! Thanks to your videos, I know so much more about his career.

[@jimshelton1]

I met Mr. Fuller at the July 2010 Hollywood show in L.A., a very nice gentleman. He was sitting between Peter Brown and Morgan Woodward.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Nice, jim. Thanks.

[@derekmurray1462]

What a nice guy, down to earth, I have a cousin named John Smith, to be fair I think most people have 😂

[@johnwillis12454]

I loved this, thank you !

[@hughtollett7200]

I miss all the actors/story tellers of the westerns. If God lets me go to heaven I'll be sitting and listening to them again.

[@US_Joe]

Very enjoyable episode Rob - Thank you & have a great week! 👍🐎🐴🐎🐴🐎

[@muffassa6739]

😊 thanks for the great video 😊😊😊😊

[@dougreed2257]

Brilliant,the great Robert fuller,what an enjoyable interview, not many of the 50's/60's/70's tv western legends remaining,we need to cherish these guys😊

[@darkwood777]

I could listen to stories like this all day!

[@carlevans5760]

Robert Fuller-at three minutes in on this excellent show-could have easily been Wyatt Earp instead of Hugh O'Brien. Although once you're used to seeing someone as a certain character-like Fess Parker as Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone; you don't want that changed. On Steve McQueen. One could easily see that he was going to be a star. I watched him in The Blob and he was just really learning the ropes. Then came along Hell IS For Heroes and Wanted Dead or Alive. The way he used props-like what Mr. Fuller said when he'd take his hat off-he was a mega star waiting to be acknowledged as one.

[@OdeeOz]

Yup... Now I know how, and why Bob Fuller was such a dynamic actor in my eyes. He lived the Roles he played, and they came out always totally believable. 👍👍 5⭐

[@nancyborden5860]

In the 70s i worked at The Breakers in Palm Beach Florida. Robert Fuller was seated at a table with sunglasses on talking to another man. He was a heartthrob for this young girl from Bar Harbor Maine! I couldn't stop look8ng at him. Thank god he didn't noticed me 😅

[@arjay777]

omg, what great stories from Robert Fuller. I could listen to him all day long. What a great interview and story teller!

[@tomsmith5216]

Laramie was one of my favorite western tv shows.

[@Pashasmom1]

Loved him in Laramie. Very talented and still a very handsome man. Love his interview here.

[@gregdavis19]

Eager to see the rest of the interview, Rob! Gotta love Bob Fuller!

[@bigblue6917]

I grew up watching Laramie. Loved every minute of it. I also remember The Ranger Rider. I was given a book for Christmas about TV westerns and there was a photograph of Jock Mahoney and Dick west on the set of The Ranger Rider.

[@bmuell64]

One of heroes! Thank you, you always have the best guests and great interviews. This time you were brilliant in letting him go and tell it all. Another job well done, thank you. You made me feel like a kid again! You're the BEST!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.

[@chrislj2890]

What an awesome story and interview. Being a kid in the '50s was so great with all of MY western heroes, and I had a lot of them. Sure wish I could go back.

[@darrelljohnston8676]

Some great stories. Loved it.

[@johnchaparro5393]

He was great in Laramie. I still watch it.

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

I love Robert Fuller! Great actor! He can play spoons really good too! Met him in Bakersfield, California in 1973 or 1974. He was the nicest person 👩🏻‍🏫🥰‼️

[@AWordonWesterns]

Cool!

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

@@AWordonWesterns … Thanks 😊!

[@KyleCowden]

Thank you Rob! Robert Fuller was one of my favorites and I remember meeting him as a kid. I think it was at Frontier City USA in OKC. I met a few there like James Drury, Clu Gallagher and Doug McClure. It used to be a great place with phenomenal gunfights and shows. I remember Fuller, like all I met, being the nicest guy and incredibly patient with the inane questions coming from a snot nosed nine year old.

[@hiramnoone]

Fortunate that Bob had the good sense to pass on Markham, a series that came and went faster than "My Mother the Car", which at least is remembered (albeit in infamy), and hold out for a Western understanding as he did that his future lay in the genre, one he was perfect for. With all the ill will created between them during filming of the first Mag 7 I doubt that another one with McQueen and Brynner could ever have been in the cards anyway. Or even be suggested for that matter. A classic of the genre it was a star maker for McQueen and a ground breaker for Brynner playing against type in a Western, who went on to do the sequel and several more, even as a robot, in the same costume! Whoever pitched *that* idea thinking it would work was either a forward thinking genius or a guy too lucky to play poker with.

[@lescook9021]

Not only does this channel provide me with wonderful interviews about westerns and western actors, but even more exciting to me, it almost always gives me a new book about movies or actors to read. Today's book, already ordered before the video ended, I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History by Walter Mirisch

[@AWordonWesterns]

It's a terrific book, Les. You're gonna like it. I've just written and recorded the Walter Mirisch portion of my 2023 Memorial tribute to Walter and more of those we lost last year who contributed to westerns. Should be ready to post on AWOW in a couple of weeks.

[@lescook9021]

@@AWordonWesterns Downloaded and I'll start it tonight. Thank you, again.

[@lescook9021]

@@AWordonWesterns Interesting read. Dustin Hoffman doesn't come off well in this one.

[@chars1184]

There’s an excellent Robert Fuller interview included on the Wagon Train Complete Color Season (season 7) dvd set. He tells some funny stories on himself. I knew him first from all of his westerns and they are my favorites. Watched ‘Emergency’ with our kids, but much prefer the cowboys. Always have, always will. Wonderful interview and great to read he is doing well at age 90!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, chars

[@thepayne7862]

The first thing I saw Robert Fuller in was Emergency. So it was kind of weird when I saw him in his younger days doing westerns.

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

The very first time my mother let me stay up late was to watch an episode of “Emergency”. I was probably around 7? In was in the mid seventies. A great memory.

[@docbrown6550]

Great one, I always loved his movies. Thanks, 🙏🙏

[@lisamcarthur6175]

He has aged very well, still a nice looking man.

[@carolynrussell774]

Oh I really like Robert Fuller, a great actor, I enjoyed this so very much, thank you Rob Word loved it....

[@elizabethbeckman1947]

Thinking about you today, Bob Fuller. Happy Birthday! Wishing you all the best. Thank you for all you've done. Good times.

[@bwoolno]

I'm glad they gave him the Jess Harper role . Love the show as a kid and Jess

[@maxthepupp]

Thank you! Wonderful stories!😎

[@DarrylWhiteguitar]

Great stories from one of my favorite stars.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Mine too! Thanks.

[@desertfox3860]

Exciting times back then!

[@jerryconnos6112]

Very cool interview rob I love the return of the magnificent 7 movie .👍

[@kirkmanning6232]

Great video ! Great to see Robert Fuller! He really preferred westerns. Jack Webb had to really twist his arm to play Dr. Brackett on Emergency. He said, “Bob, westerns are dead!” And he was right!

[@user-zd9yn5mz1f]

Another epic talent! We're lucky he is still around and clear minded! Hope to meet him some day!

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

Great interview!

[@keithdavis82]

Of course, great as always. Where are you?

[@AWordonWesterns]

As it says in the Description, I shot it in my hotel room in Williamsburg, VA. I'd love to do it all again and make it even longer!

[@keithdavis82]

Sorry Rob, I guess I should start reading the descriptions. Anyway, Thanks for another great video@@AWordonWesterns

[@kurtb8474]

Fuller ended up playing a doctor in Emergency which was very different from a western. LOL.

[@spnkysy791]

This was produced/filmed in 2017 if you read the info. What a great guy!

[@ltcolumbo9708]

Unfortunately I only remember Robert Fuller from Emergency! And I was delighted to see his cameo on Maverick with Mel Gibson

[@jt66723]

Great stories, thanks for sharing.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnnycee5179]

I remember Robert Fuller as a doctor on the show Emergency but I have seen him in Western reruns and he was pretty good. He was a really good looking guy, I was once too before Father Time beat me up.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Ha, ha..😂

[@johnreidy2804]

Thank you for the video. I am a Robert Fuller fan

[@susanrutherford866]

Who isn't ? 🌝

[@mikesaunders4775]

A great actor and a great raconteur. I've been a fan since he was Jess Harper.

[@pennhill5459]

big fan dude, you look great, differently but great love those days

[@AWordonWesterns]

Legend!

[@DougPoulton]

I saw that same interview about 10 years ago with four cowboys sitting around a table but never get tired of seeing it again from a different camera angle. Thanks for bringing it back.

[@bessiemorris5282]

This is a great story told by mr fuller i know he had to be nerveous meeting mr bryner .as he could look serious i loved mr fuller in larimie as jess harper i could not really see him playing the part of slim he was jess harper its really great to see mr fuller still looking so young and healthy we are so blessed to still have him here with us as we have lost so many of our cowboy stars i am wishing you all a very happy and blessed new year stay healthy and well 😊

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thank you, Bessie. Happy and healthy new year to you.

[@terriselph4100]

It was such a wonderful interview. He had me laughing out loud with the story about the barn door.

[@user-xl3qg1wz5z]

Robert Fuller is one of my favorites . Great acter and great story teller.. it's sad there's not many of our TV western heroes left anymore. I grew up on westerns in the 60.tys . and i like yul Brynner i think that he made at least 7 or 8 westerns and they all were good

[@prestonnull4009]

Love this guy on Wagon Train.

[@HalfassDIY]

Thats one cool hombre !

[@muleysmountaintrailrides6045]

I was fortunate to be the wrangler at a small west fest in Jefferson, Colorado. I took the stars and guest on trail rides in the mountains. Robert, Bobby Hoy, Alex Mc Cord, Peter Brown. Robert told me and some other folks this story about meeting Brynner on the set. We would have a little entertainment in the evening and Robert would play the spoons. Alex Mc Cord was probably on of the most well read and smartest person I have had the pleasure of visiting with. Bobby told me some story's about being a stunt man and acting. Even told me a few stories about Lee Marvin. Peter was interesting to visit with. Peter would vanish with his girlfriend, believe it or not so we would not see him for awhile. I watch all of these guys on TV. Had the time of my life with these fellows. Keep up the good work Mr. Word. Us old Cowboys are fading away. God Bless

[@Mark-wx7vp]

Loved this story 😁

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Mark. Thanks.

[@kenshores9900]

Liked him as Mark Bracket on Jack Webb’s emergency.