Who Is Still Alive From ‘The Virginian’?

THE VIRGINIAN, (aka THE MEN FROM SHILOH), from left: Lee J. Cobb, Roberta Shore (front), James Drury, (1962), 1962-71. — Gene Trindl / TV Guide / courtesy Everett Collection

When The Virginian premiered on NBC in 1962, it brought something brand new to the Western genre: ninety minutes of color-filmed cowboy drama each week, making it the first of its kind on television. Starring James Drury in the title role, along with fan favorites like Doug McClure and Lee J. Cobb, the series quickly roped in viewers and held them for nine action-packed seasons. Set in Wyoming Territory before it became a state, the stories centered around the Shiloh Ranch and the people who lived and worked there, blending gritty frontier storytelling with a sense of deep character development that kept audiences coming back.

Loosely inspired by the 1902 novel The Virginian: Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister, the show evolved over time, especially in its final season when it was rebranded as The Men from Shiloh. Over the years, actors like John Dehner, Charles Bickford, John McIntire and Stewart Granger stepped in to fill key roles, each bringing their own flavor to the ranch’s leadership.

In total, The Virginian ran for 249 episodes, securing its place as one of the longest-running Westerns in TV history, right behind Bonanza and Gunsmoke. While many of its beloved stars are no longer with us, a few familiar faces from Shiloh Ranch are still around. Here’s a look at who’s still alive from The Virginian:

Donald Quine (86)

Everett Collection

Fans of The Virginian may remember Donald Quine as Stacey Grainger, a spirited and impulsive ranch hand who brought youthful energy to Shiloh Ranch during the show’s later seasons. Quine joined the cast in Season 5 and quickly became a viewer favorite.

Quine was born in Fennville, Michigan, and raised mostly in California after the tragic loss of his father, a surgeon and Air Force major, during WWII. Despite some rocky teenage years, he eventually found his way into theater and studied under legendary acting coach Stella Adler. He went on to star on stage and screen, and even served as president of the Professional Karate Association. His passion for martial arts inspired him to write American Karate and help bring kickboxing into American pop culture.

Today, after some time as a sports promoter in the ’80s, Quine is an author of multiple books, including the thriller novel Killer Payback.

Gary Clarke (91)

THE VIRGINIAN (aka THE MEN FROM SHILOH), Gary Clarke, 1962-71.

Everett Collection

Gary Clarke portrayed Steve Hill in seasons one through three of The Virginian! After he left the show, he wrote many episodes of Get Smart! pic.twitter.com/ALdf2xFaCv

— John Merrill (@JohnHMerrill) May 8, 2017

Before becoming a familiar face to fans of The Virginian, Clarke got his start in community theater, while also working as a machinist and delivering newspapers to make ends meet. He eventually landed the role of Steve Hill, a young ranch hand with a strong moral compass, and was part of the show’s original cast from 1962 to 1964.

Born Clarke Frederick L’Amoreaux in Los Angeles, he grew up in East L.A. with French and Mexican roots. Over the years, he worked as an actor, screenwriter, director and even a singer. Clarke later wrote episodes for Get Smart, had recurring roles in The Young Riders, and appeared in films well into the 2010s. In 2014, he reunited with Virginian alums James Drury and Roberta Shore for a Western-themed pilot.

Roberta Shore (82)

Everett Collection

Many happy returns to ROBERTA SHORE on her April 7th Birthday! pic.twitter.com/DwF8axuBzZ

— Patricia Nolan-Hall (@CaftanWoman) April 7, 2020

Shore appeared in the show’s first four seasons as Betsy Garth and was one of the few women with a major role in the early episodes. Fans watched her grow up on screen, but in real life, Shore made the surprising decision to leave Hollywood behind at just 22 years old.

Raised in California and a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shore prioritized her faith and family, choosing marriage and motherhood over continued fame. Before The Virginian, she had already made a name for herself in Disney productions, often playing the sweet yet sassy rival to Annette Funicello. After stepping away from acting, she settled in Utah, where she’s lived ever since. Her final on-screen role came in 1974, in the short film Cipher in the Snow.

Here’s a look at who has passed away:

THE VIRGINIAN (aka THE MEN FROM SHILOH), from left: Gary Clarke, James Drury, Doug McClure, 1962-71.

Everett Collection

James Drury, who portrayed the title character, died on April 6, 2020, at age 85 from natural causes; Doug McClure (Trampas) passed away on February 5, 1995, at age 59 from lung cancer; Lee J. Cobb (Judge Garth) died on February 11, 1976, at age 64 of a heart attack; Charles Bickford (John Grainger) passed on November 9, 1967, at age 76 of pneumonia and a blood infection; John McIntire (Clay Grainger) died on January 30, 1991, at age 83 from emphysema and lung cancer; Stewart Granger (Col. Alan MacKenzie) passed away on August 16, 1993, at age 80 from prostate cancer; Clu Gulager (Emmett Ryker) died on August 5, 2022, at age 93 from natural causes; and Sara Lane (Elizabeth Grainger) passed on March 3, 2023, at age 73 from breast cancer.