Richard Farnsworth

 Richard Farnsworth: The Quiet Cowboy and His Wild Horses

Richard W. Farnsworth (1920–2000) was one of Hollywood’s most beloved character actors — but his story began long before he ever spoke a line on screen. He started as a rodeo rider and stuntman, growing up around horses and doing stunts in films for decades.

In the 1985 TV western Wild Horses (directed by Dick Lowry), Farnsworth plays Chuck Reese — a grizzled, seasoned cowboy who becomes embroiled in a roundup of wild mustangs.

The film’s story centers on an ex-rodeo rider (played by Kenny Rogers) who leaves his life in Texas to work in Wyoming herding these wild horses. Through that dangerous and morally complex job, themes about freedom, respect for nature, and the bond between man and horse emerge.

Farnsworth himself was deeply connected to the world of horses long before Wild Horses. His career as a stuntman began in films where he doubled for stars in horse-riding scenes and cavalry sequences.

Over time, he moved from stunt work into acting — and his roles often reflected his cowboy roots.

One of his most acclaimed roles was in Comes a Horseman (1978), where he played the loyal ranch hand “Dodger,” earning an Oscar nomination.

He also starred in The Grey Fox (1982) as Bill Miner, a stagecoach robber returning from prison, and in The Straight Story (1999), his final role, playing Alvin Straight — a humble, wise man who makes an extraordinary journey.

Beyond his film career, Farnsworth carried a genuine cowboy authenticity. He spent his later years on a ranch in Lincoln, New Mexico, the very kind of place that mirrors the landscapes he so often portrayed.