Cowboy Quotes

 Cowboy Quotes

“There's a simplicity and purity in a cowboy's way of life that I've always admired.” Clint Walker, who played Cheyenne Bodie in “Cheyenne.”

“Ben Cartwright was patterned after my father, who never saw 'Bonanza.' In that sense, my father will live for a long time.” Lorne Greene, who played Ben Cartwright in “Bonanza.”

“The characters I've played, especially Bret Maverick and Jim Rockford, almost never use a gun, and they always try to use their wits instead of their fists.” James Garner, who played Bret Maverick in “Maverick.”

“Nobody ever saw a cowboy on the psychiatrist's couch.” John Wayne.

“My movies were always clean. For 50 cents, they could send their kids down to see my pictures and know they would be entertained wholesomely.” Gene Autry, the “Singing Cowboy.”

“If they were man and wife, it would make a lot of difference. The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with.” James Arness, who played Marshal Dillon in “Gunsmoke,” explaining why Dillon never married Miss Kitty.

“He's stupid. The Lone Ranger treats him like some kind of servant, and this seems to suit Tonto fine.” Jay Silverheels, reflecting on his Tonto character in “The Lone Ranger.”

“What boy wouldn't love dressing up as a cowboy and getting paid for it! It was hard work, and I took it very seriously as an actor, but I was living in a dream.” Johnny Crawford, talking about his character, Mark McCain, in “The Rifleman.”

“Children need heroes like the Lone Ranger. This is important because these kids are young Americans. They are going to be running this country someday.” Clayton Moore, who played the Lone Ranger.

Stranger: “Can you hit very hard?” Tom Brewster, played by Will Hutchins in “Sugarfoot,” answered: “No, but I'm a good ducker.”

“I've tried to make Hoppy a plain and simple man in manners and dress. Hoppy isn't a flashy character. He isn't illiterate. Nor is he smart-alecky. He doesn't use big words or bad words. After all, I felt that Hoppy might be looked up to and that children might try to pattern their lives after the man.” William Boyd, explaining how he played Hopalong Cassidy in cowboy movies.

“I try to make the (cowboy) pictures so that when a boy pays, say, 20 cents to see it, he will get 20 cents worth, and not 10. If I drop, you see, it would be like putting my hand in his pocket and stealing a dime.” Tom Mix, a star of silent cowboy shows.

“I never had been on a horse, and I thought guns were for the police until 'Bonanza' came along.” Lorne Greene.

“I can never get rid of 'The Rifleman,' and I don't want to. It's a good image.” Chuck Connors, who played Lucas McCain in “The Rifleman.”

“My problems with 'Bonanza' were problems of communication. What we discussed would be, never was. I thought it would be a sophisticated show. Instead, it never went beyond the comic strip level.” Pernell Roberts, who played Adam Cartwright in “Bonanza,” explaining why he left the show.

If you consider film an art form, as some people do, then the western would be a truly American art form, much as jazz is.” Clint Eastwood.

“I'm really proud of Gunsmoke. We put on a good show every week- one that families could all watch together without offending anyone.” Ken Curtis, who played Deputy Festus Haggen in “Gunsmoke.”