John Pickard ranked among the most talented character performers of his day, featuring in numerous Westerns and dramatic productions, but his life came to a premature conclusion in 1993. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
A highly respected supporting actor in Hollywood met a startling fate, fatally injured by a bull he’d hired for breeding purposes on his property.
Nowadays, his final resting place is situated extremely close to the location of the shocking event.
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John Pickard, best known for his part in True Grit (1969) with John Wayne, originated from Lascassas, Tennessee, and was considered “one of the best character actors to ever appear on the silver screen”, according to Rutherford TN History. Prior to commencing his acting career in 1936, Pickard lived a quiet existence with his spouse.
By 1939, he was posing for a war bond advertisement for the US Navy. From 1942 to 1946, Pickard served in the Navy, but upon his return, he pursued acting with newfound zeal, establishing himself as a prominent figure in Western films and stage plays.
He landed his initial role alongside John Wayne in the latter part of the 1940s with The Wake Of The Red Witch (1948).
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His distinguished career lasted an impressive 40 years in the business, and in 1969, he played Frank Ross in another John Wayne film, True Grit, the Mirror reports.
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Prior to his unexpected end, Pickard’s final appearance was in a 1987 episode of the CBS crime drama, Simon and Simon. Sadly, Pickard was killed by a bull at the age of 80 in 1993 during a family gathering at his farm in Lascassas. Without realising it, the bull he had acquired on loan for breeding on his land would lead to his premature passing. He was survived by his wife, Ann, his son John, and three grandchildren.
One of Pickard’s earliest roles was in the movie “Mary of Scotland” in 1936, at the young age of 23. He subsequently obtained his initial recurring part in the TV show Boots and Saddles, featuring in a remarkable 38 episodes.
The well-received series, filmed in Utah, was broadcast between 1957 and 1958. Pickard’s great-great-grandfather was one of the first individuals to settle in what was then known as Davidson County, presently Nashville, Rev. James Rucker.
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His great-aunt was Willie Betty Newman, a plantation owner preceding the Civil War. Furthermore, Willie was a celebrated artist and managed a flourishing studio.
True Grit was mired in controversy, with Wayne campaigning for the main role of one-eyed US Marshal Rooster Cogburn after having read Charles Portis’ novel bearing the same name.
It is worth noting that Elvis Presley could not be confirmed for the supporting role of the Texan La Boeuf, since the singer’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, requested top billing ahead of Wayne himself. In the meantime, another performer eventually left the Western legend enraged after filming had commenced.