TV SERIES · 1962– · USA
The Virginian
19 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (19)
- #001
The Virginian was the first 90-minute western broadcast on American television, including commercials. Because of the growing number of commercials, episodes now run about two hours.
- #002
In the book, the ranch called "Sunk Creek" lies 470 kilometers from Medicine Bow. When the Virginian is promoted to foreman, he moves from the bunkhouse into his own house on the ranch. The Virginian and Trampas are not friends. Toward the end of the book, the Virginian kills Trampas.
- #003
As in the book and the film, the Virginian's name is never revealed. He is called the foreman, the ramrod, or the Virginian.
- #004
The series has more 90-minute episodes than any other American television series. (Without commercials, however, each episode runs about 70 minutes.)
- #005
Shiloh Ranch is located in Medicine Bow, Wyoming, in Carbon County, whose population in the late 1890s was about 9,000.
- #006
Throughout its entire run, the series aired on NBC on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
- #007
In the series, Steve's last name is Hill. In the 1946 film version it was Andrews. In Owen Wister's original novel and in the 1914, 1923 and 1929 films, Steve's last name is not revealed.
- #008
A sign at the train station reads "Medicine Bow, WY; elev. 6565." This is the real elevation of the real-life Medicine Bow.
- #009
James Drury and Doug McClure appeared in the series throughout all nine seasons, though it was impossible for either of them to appear in all 249 episodes.
- #010
In 1963, Rank Film Distributors used three first-season episodes as supporting films for theatrical showings of Universal features. The Brazen Bell (1962) was released with 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962), The Devil's Children (1962) with To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), and The Final Hour (1963) with The Ugly American (1963).
- #011
The pilot aired on Decision (1958), an anthology series made up of pilots for other series, and replaced The Loretta Young Show (1953) mid-season. The Virginian (1958) differed somewhat from the final series that aired: it starred James Drury as a former CSA veteran, with Robert Burton as Judge Henry, and had no Trampas.
- #012
Cecil Combs appears in 48 episodes, is not listed in all of the credits, and never speaks a word.
- #013
Lee J. Cobb left after four seasons as Judge Garth; the character was not recast, but John Dehner, Charles Bickford, John McIntire and Stewart Granger played the owner of Shiloh Ranch as separate characters in later seasons.
- #014
From the beginning, The Virginian was shot on 35mm film and in Technicolor.
- #015
Title characters are added or dropped from season to season, usually with neither an introduction nor a farewell. Some get only a single line, such as Judge Garth becoming territorial governor. Elizabeth's brother Stacy disappears after season 6 and is immediately replaced by the educated misfit David Hartman. Even the death of a lead actor is covered up.
- #016
Percy Faith, the bandleader and composer of The Virginian's well-regarded theme music, is known for popularizing the "Easy Listening" music genre.
- #017
Spanning nine seasons, The Virginian is the third-longest-running western on American television, after Gunsmoke at 20 seasons and Bonanza at 14.
- #018
Notable actors who appeared in the series include Harrison Ford, Charles Bronson and Kurt Russell.
- #019
Many real-life relatives of the regular cast appeared in the series: James Drury's brother Jon Drury; Doug McClure's daughter Tane McClure; John McIntire's children John and Holly McIntire; and Sara Lane's father Rusty Lane.
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