Famous movie star from San Angelo honored at film festival

SAN ANGELO, TX — Here in San Angelo, a local movie and television star is being celebrated on his birthday.

Fess Parker, the famous actor who played Davy Crockett in a film and miniseries, will be honored by San Angelo with a film festival at Fort Concho on August 16, 2024, which is Parker's birthday.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, but raised near San Angelo, Parker joined the Navy during World War II, eventually ending up in the United State Marine Corps.

After his service, he attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and then enrolled at the University of Texas, where he took acting classes. Parker ended up at USC and studied theater history.

Parker began working in film and television, appearing as an extra in the play Mister Roberts. He signed with Warner Brothers and had small roles in films such as Springfield Rifle, Island in the Sky, Battle Cry, and The Bounty Hunter.

After working on the film THEM!, he was discovered by Walt Disney and landed the role of Davy Crockett. He played the famous frontiersman in a miniseries and in films such as Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, Davy Crocket and the River Pirates, and Alias ​​Jesse James. Parker was also cast in one of the lead roles in Daniel Boone in film and television.

Parker married Marcella Belle Rinehart in January 1960. He died on March 18, 2010, at his home in Santa Ynez, California.

San Angelo and Fort Concho will host the Fess Parker Film Festival in honor of Parker's 100th birthday on Friday, August 16, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a second part of the festival on Saturday, August 17, 2024, time to be announced.

Snacks and refreshments are available and there is also a small exhibition about Parker.