James Drury, best known for his role on Western TV series The Virginian, has died at the age of 85.
Drury’s passing was announced on his Facebook page by his assistant, Karen Lindsey.
The post started by saying, “THE COWBOY took his last ride. It is with immense sadness that I let you all know that James Drury, our beloved Virginian, and dear friend passed away this morning of natural causes, Monday, April 6, 2020.”
Drury was born in New York in 1934 and was the star of The Virginian, which ran for 9 seasons and was the third longest-running western behind Gunsmoke and Bonanza.
In 2012, Drury told Chron, “It was the greatest experience in my life. I never had a bad day at work.”
Drury also appeared on iconic TV series such as Walker, Texas Ranger, Firehouse, Wagon Train, and Rawhide. Drury was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1991.