Robert Fuller

Robert Fuller built a career on grit, authenticity, and a deep love for the Western genre. With his rugged good looks, raspy voice, and natural horsemanship, he became a familiar face to millions of viewers—especially in his iconic role as Jess Harper on Laramie.

Born July 29, 1933, in Troy, New York, Fuller was raised in Key West, Florida, where his mother and stepfather ran a dance school. Though he became an excellent dancer, Fuller had little interest in academics and left school at 14. After moving to Hollywood in 1950, he worked odd jobs and performed as a dancer in musicals like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and I Love Melvin before transitioning into acting.

His early film work included small roles in Above and Beyond and The Brain from Planet Arous, but it was television that launched his stardom. Fuller guest-starred on numerous shows before landing the role of Jess Harper in Laramie (1959–1963), a part that made him an international sensation. He followed that success with another lead role as Cooper Smith on Wagon Train.

As Westerns began to fade from television in the 1970s, Fuller reinvented himself. Producer Jack Webb cast him as Dr. Kelly Brackett on Emergency!, a medical drama that ran for seven seasons and introduced him to a new generation of fans. Despite the shift in genre, Fuller remained committed to the values that defined his Western characters—honor, loyalty, and quiet strength.

He continued acting through the 1990s, appearing in shows like Murder, She Wrote, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Diagnosis: Murder. In 2001, he retired from acting and moved to Texas with his wife, actress Jennifer Savidge, where they live on a horse ranch.

Now in his 90s, Fuller remains active in the Western community, attending festivals and connecting with fans who have followed his career for over six decades.