Hugh O'Brian (born April 19, 1925) is an American actor best known for his starring role as Wyatt Earp in the television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955-1961). Born Hugh Charles Krampe in Rochester, New York, O'Brian attended school at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri. In high school, he lettered in football, basketball, wrestling and track. After a semester at the University of Cincinnati with studies charted toward a law career, O' Brian, at 17, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942. Following World War II, O'Brian moved to Los Angeles and soon found work on stage and in film and television. He got his big break when he was chosen to portray the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp on television. The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp debuted in 1955 as the "first adult western," and it soon became the top-rated show on television. During its seven-year run, "Wyatt Earp" consistently placed in the top 10 television shows in the United States. He also appeared regularly on other television programs in the 1960s. For example, he was a guest panelist on the popular Sunday Night CBS-TV program, What's My Line? and later served as a mystery guest three times. For his contribution to the television industry, Hugh O'Brian has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6613-1/2 Hollywood Blvd. In 1992, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. O'Brian had a cameo appearance in the movie Twins. He was also one of the featured actors in the two hour premier of "Fantasy Island".
HOBY
Hugh O'Brian has dedicated much of his life to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY). HOBY is a non-profit youth leadership development program that empowers 10,000 sophomores annually through its over 70 leadership programs in all 50 states and 8 countries. Since its inception in 1958, over 355,000 young people have been inspired by HOBY. One high school sophomore from every high school in the United States, referred to as an “ambassador,” is welcome to attend a state or regional HOBY seminar. From each of those seminars, two students are offered the opportunity to attend the World Leadership Conference (WLC). Many do not attend because it is quite expensive, but several funds and scholarships, such as the Jack Tawney Memorial Fund in the Central PA chapter, allow students to go for free. The concept for HOBY was inspired in 1958 by a nine-day visit Hugh O’Brian had with famed humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Africa. Dr. Schweitzer believed "the most important thing in education is to teach young people to think for themselves." On June 25, 2006, O'Brian, at the age of eighty-one, married for the first time. His wife is the former Virginia Barber (born ca. 1952). The ceremony was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, with the Reverend Robert Schuller, pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, officiating. The couple was serenaded by close friend Debbie Reynolds. [1] Hugh O’Brian’s message to young people is “Freedom to Choose” Here is his brief speech on this topic: "I do NOT believe we are all born equal. Created equal in the eyes of God, yes, but physical and emotional differences, parental guidelines, varying environments, being in the right place at the right time, all play a role in enhancing or limiting an individual's development. But I DO believe every man and woman, if given the opportunity and encouragement to recognize their potential, regardless of background, has the freedom to choose in our world. Will an individual be a taker or a giver in life? Will that person be satisfied merely to exist or seek a meaningful purpose? Will he or she dare to dream the impossible dream? I believe every person is created as the steward of his or her own destiny with great power for a specific purpose, to share with others, through service, a reverence for life in a spirit of love."
