Paul Fix

Paul Peter Fix (March 13, 1901 – October 14, 1983) was a renowned American film and television character actor, largely acclaimed for his work in Westerns. With a whopping career span of 56 years, from 1925 to 1981, Fix appeared in more than 100 movies and dozens of television shows. One of his most notable portrayals was that of Marshal Micah Torrance, on the American Western Television series, 'The Rifleman', from 1958 to 1963. Apart from this, he appeared alongside Chuck Connors in the 1966 Western film 'Ride Beyond Vengeance'. Fix was also known for his incredible friendship with another iconic Western actor, John Wayne, appearing as a featured player in about 27 of Wayne's films. His spectacular film appearances include Richard Bravo in the cult classic, 'The Bad Seed' (1956), 'The Sea Chase' (1955), George Stevens' 'Giant' (1956), among others. In addition to his stellar onscreen presence, he also co-wrote the screenplay for the John Wayne film 'Tall in the Saddle'. His span of work in television remains just as impressive; he had a recurring role on ABC's Western series 'The Rifleman', along with numerous other notable guest appearances.

Fix was born to Wilhelm Fix and Louise Walz in Dobbs Ferry, New York. His German father was a brewer. Upon America's entry into World War I in 1917, Fix joined the National Guard, serving initially at Peekskill, New York. He went on to serve in the U.S Navy, a stint that gave his artistic abilities a platform when he was recruited to perform on stage in a Navy Relief Organization production of the comic opera 'H.M.S. Pinafore'. Post-war, in the 1920s, he moved to Hollywood, performing in the first of almost 350 movie and television appearances. Fix passed away of kidney failure in Los Angeles at the age of 82.