Will Hutchins, the star of ABC’s Sugarfoot, thought to be a contender for TV’s first comedy western series, died Monday, April 21, at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. He was 94.
His death was announced by Western film and TV historian Boyd Magers.
Running on ABC for 69 episodes from 1957 to 1961, Sugarfoot starred Hutchins as Tom Brewster, an Easterner who comes to the Wild West of the Oklahoma Territory to become a lawyer. His lack of cowboy skills, which the show played for laughs, earned him the nickname Sugarfoot. The show’s lighthearted approach to the TV western genre preceded that of Maverick starring James Garner, which debuted five days after Sugarfoot.
Will Hutchins Dies: ‘Sugarfoot', ‘Blondie' Actor Was 94​
His death was announced by Western film and TV historian Boyd Magers.
Running on ABC for 69 episodes from 1957 to 1961, Sugarfoot starred Hutchins as Tom Brewster, an Easterner who comes to the Wild West of the Oklahoma Territory to become a lawyer. His lack of cowboy skills, which the show played for laughs, earned him the nickname Sugarfoot. The show’s lighthearted approach to the TV western genre preceded that of Maverick starring James Garner, which debuted five days after Sugarfoot.
Will Hutchins Dies: ‘Sugarfoot', ‘Blondie' Actor Was 94​