Hollywood character actor Edward Faulkner, known for his collaborations with John Wayne and Elvis Presley, died August 26 at age 93 of natural causes at a healthcare facility in Vista, California. His daughter Leslie Wadsworth confirmed the death to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Kentucky native appeared in six films alongside Wayne, including “McLintock!” (1963), “The Green Berets” (1968), “Hellfighters” (1968), “The Undefeated” (1969), “Rio Lobo” (1970), and “Chisum” (1970). Most of these collaborations were directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, who gave Faulkner his career breakthrough.
Standing six feet three inches tall, Faulkner became a familiar face in television westerns throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He appeared in 13 episodes of “Have Gun — Will Travel” from 1958 to 1962, six episodes of “Gunsmoke” from 1959 to 1972, seven episodes of “Rawhide” from 1959 to 1964, three episodes of “Bonanza” from 1961 to 1966, and 11 episodes of “The Virginian” from 1963 to 1970.
Fielden Edward Faulkner II was born February 29, 1932, in Lexington, Kentucky, the youngest of two children. His father owned a building supply company, while his mother Ferie June worked as a music teacher. During high school at Henry Clay High School, he partnered with a friend in a comedy song-and-dance act.
After attending the University of Virginia and the University of Kentucky, where he acted in plays, Faulkner graduated in 1954. He then served two years as a fighter pilot with the U.S. Air Force before moving to Los Angeles in 1958 to pursue acting.
McLaglen, then a staff director at CBS, introduced Faulkner to television work, casting him in an episode of “Have Gun — Will Travel” starring Richard Boone. Faulkner earned the standard day rate of $80 for his first role. McLaglen continued directing him in various television shows including “Gunsmoke,” “Rawhide,” “Everglades!,” “Wagon Train,” and “The Lieutenant.”
Faulkner made his big-screen debut in “G.I. Blues” (1960) with Elvis Presley. He later portrayed fitness instructor Brad Bentley in another Presley film, “Tickle Me” (1965).
His relationship with Wayne extended beyond professional work. Faulkner indicated that he played chess with Wayne hundreds of times, admitting he occasionally allowed the star to win. Their games were so engaging that they once kept an airplane idling at the gate while the captain waited reluctantly to interrupt their match.
During the filming of “The Undefeated” in Mexico, Wayne spotted Faulkner’s three daughters—Jan, Barbara, and Leslie—on the sidelines and immediately called for wardrobe to include the young girls in the movie. When Faulkner learned about “The Green Berets,” he sent Wayne a note stating: “Like yourself, I’ve worn a Stetson long enough. Perhaps a change of hats, maybe a beret.” Within a week, he was cast as Captain MacDaniel in the war film.
Reflecting on his career in a 2019 interview, Faulkner noted that he typically played antagonist roles, humorously observing that he never won a fight and was always cast as the villain. Despite frequently playing the bad guy, he was remembered for his amiable personality off-screen.
Beyond his work with Wayne and Presley, Faulkner’s filmography included “How to Murder Your Wife” (1965), “The Navy vs. the Night Monsters” (1966), “Nobody’s Perfect” (1968), “The Shakiest Gun in the West” (1968), “Hang Your Hat on the Wind” (1969), and “The Man” (1972). His television appearances spanned popular series including “Dragnet,” “Lassie,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “Mod Squad,” “The Fugitive,” “It Takes a Thief,” “Cannon,” “Adam-12,” and “The Six Million Dollar Man.”
In 1976, Faulkner stepped away from acting to work for approximately 12 years with a company that leased cargo containers to the marine transportation industry and operated hotels worldwide.
Faulkner married his high school sweetheart Barbara, with whom he had starred in plays during high school and college productions including Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” Their marriage lasted nearly 60 years until Barbara’s death in May 2013.
He is survived by his four children—Jan, Barbara, Leslie, and Edward III—and five grandchildren: Tyler, Wyatt, Steven, Olivia, and Brooke. His family noted that Faulkner maintained his childhood love of magic throughout his life, entertaining friends and family with sleight-of-hand tricks and illusions. Colleagues and loved ones remembered him for his kindness and genuine warmth, qualities his family said defined him as much as his extensive body of work.
