Fess Parker, 'Davy Crockett' star, dies at 85

Fess Parker, the Baby Boomer who captured the imagination playing American heroes Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, has died. He was 85.

The actor, wine maker and resort owner died Thursday, March 18 of natural causes at his Santa Ynez, Calif., home near the Fess Parker Winery, according to reports.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1924, the six-foot-six Parker seemed born to play the legendary Davy Crockett in a series of 1950s Disney films including "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" and "Davy Crockett Goes to Congress." Crockett-mania gripped the nation, and little kids could be heard singing the theme song and sporting racoon-skin caps.

He also starred in the "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" TV series before hitting it big again with the "Daniel Boone" series in the '60s.

His film credits include "Them!," "The Kid From Left Field," "The Bounty Hunter," "Alias Jesse James" and the classic "Old Yeller."

Beyond his Hollywood career, Parker is known for his Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard in Los Olivos, Calif. Besides wine and other merchandise, the property's General Store sells coonskin caps and "Davy Crockett" and "Daniel Boone" videos.

Check out Fess Parker in the "Daniel Boone" opening sequence:



And listen to the iconic "Ballad of Davy Crockett":




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