When someone sees a coon-skinned cap anywhere, there is a good chance that their first thought is the King of the Wild Frontier, Davy Crockett. The man that brought this memorable character to life, Fess Parker, passed away this past Thursday of natural causes at the age of 85.
Disney’s Davy Crockett was a three part mini-series in the 1950’s that told of the great feats of this historic character. While Fess Parker is known mainly for the title role in this series, he was also in several other Disney creations, including “The Great Locomotive Chase”, “Old Yeller”, and “Westward Ho the Wagons!”.
There are a few tributes to Fess Parker in his most popular role, the first appropriately being in Frontierland in Disneyland, where he has his name on a window along with Davy Crockett’s. You can also find his hand prints in front of the Chinese Theater in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.
Contributed by: Jessica C. (NDI#21). Jessica is our resident “Gossip Girl” and creator of The True Disney Fan Blog.
Living in Delaware her whole life, Jessica did not know much about Walt Disney World until she went at 13 years old. That initial trip, though, got her hooked on the magic. As the years went on, she did everything she could to learn more about Disney (including watching documentaries and reading books). She did not know many people that shared her passion until she discovered the wonders of the internet and the Disney community found on it. She has gotten involved with as many Disney projects as she can, including writing the weekly news articles for The Disney Driven Life and writing for her own blog, The True Disney Fan. Jessica has also taken on a position with Celebrations Magazine, working the social media aspects of the publication. Through all these platforms, Jessica strives to bring as much Disney magic as possible into her everyday life, and she works to share it with everyone she meets!
I was so saddened when I heard that Fess Parker had passed. He had such a great smile and will forever be remembered by me as Davy Crockett.
I was so saddened when I heard that Fess Parker had passed. He had such a great smile and will forever be remembered by me as Davy Crockett.