7 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Sugarfoot,’ the 1950s Western Starring the Late Will Hutchins

For four seasons beginning in 1957, a soft-spoken cowboy named Tom Brewster (Will Hutchins) rode onto our screens every Tuesday night in Sugarfoot, the first comedy Western series to air on television. This gentle law student from the East didn’t quite fit the mold of a gunslinging hero, but that’s precisely what made the show special: at a time when most Westerns were loaded with grit and gunfire, Sugarfoot stood out for its charm, humor and heart.

The recently deceased Hutchins, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 94, of respiratory failure, brought Brewster to life with an easygoing warmth that made the character unforgettable. His wide-eyed innocence, paired with a deep moral compass, made us root for him week after week.  In honor of his life and legacy, here’s a look back at some of the most delightful and surprising facts about Sugarfoot.

1 Will Hutchins was the only regular on the show

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Unlike many ensemble Westerns of the era, Sugarfoot rode almost entirely on Hutchins’ shoulders. He appeared in every episode, often without a permanent sidekick. Later in the series, Jack Elam joined as the colorful Toothy Thompson, but the show remained firmly centered on Hutchins’ portrayal of Brewster. That consistency helped create a strong connection with viewers, who came to know and love the character’s quirks, like his fondness for sarsaparilla with a dash of cherry.

2 The pilot was a remake of a film starring Will Rogers Jr.

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While the title Sugarfoot was borrowed from a 1951 Randolph Scott movie, the show actually took its story from a lesser-known 1954 film called The Boy from Oklahoma. That film starred Will Rogers Jr. as Tom Brewster, and the pilot for Sugarfoot, titled “Brannigan’s Boots,” was nearly identical; Sheb Wooley and Slim Pickens even reprised their roles from the movie. The biggest change? Brewster went from being a complete pacifist to a reluctant fighter who’d still rather talk than shoot.

3 Hutchins once spoofed his own character on Maverick

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After Sugarfoot was canceled, Hutchins made a tongue-in-cheek guest appearance on Maverick, playing a character credited as “Young Lawyer.” At the end of the episode, Beau Maverick asks, “Are you the one they call Sugarfoot?” Hutchins’ character smiles and replies, “Sugarfoot? Never heard of him.”

4 His horse was a bit of a diva

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In the first season, Hutchins rode a horse named Sickle, but the two didn’t exactly hit it off. Hutchins later admitted that he and Sickle never got along, which made filming scenes with the horse difficult. For season two, he was paired with a more agreeable horse named Penny, and Hutchins joked that it was love at first sight. Penny stayed with him for the rest of the series, making life on set much easier.

5 Sugarfoot once fought an outlaw who looked just like Tom Brewster

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6 One episode of another show brought three Western stars together

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7 The show had a different name in the UK

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When Sugarfoot first aired in Great Britain, it didn’t go by its original title. British audiences first saw the show under the name Tenderfoot, a term that better translated the theme of the show. Later, when ITV picked it up, the show returned to its original title.

Sugarfoot is currently airing on MeTV+ on Sunday Afternoons at 3pm ET.

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September 2021

’50s and ’60s TV Westerns roundup, celebrating the shows and stars of their golden age.

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