Marine veteran and actor Hugh O'Brian died Monday at age 91 in California, according to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership website.
O'Brian, who is best known for portraying Sheriff Wyatt Earp in TV's "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 during World War II, and became a drill instructor, according to the HOBY organization's website.
According to the National Archives and Records Administration, O'Brian served as a tank crewman.
He spent four years in the Marines before being honorably discharged as a corporal and pursuing a career in acting. His breakthrough happened in 1955 when he starred in the series about Earp, which aired from 1955 to 1961 and was said to be television's first adult Western.
The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership organization was established in 1958 with a mission of inspiring and developing the "global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation."
O'Brian founded the organization after spending nine days with Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who advocated empowering youth to think for themselves, according to the organization's website.
Actor Hugh O'Brian on the set of "Cheyenne Autumn" with James Stewart, left, in Los Angeles. In the movie, O'Brian plays the role of Wyatt Earp. O'Brian died at his home in Beverly Hills on Sept. 5, according to a statement from HOBY, a youth leadership philanthropic organization that O'Brian founded more than 50 years ago.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/DAB
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
