Then and Now: The Legendary Cowboys of The Cowboys (1972)

I can still remember the shock I felt watching Bruce Dern gun down John Wayne in The Cowboys. It wasn't just that the Duke was killed – it was that his character died with so much left undone, leaving a group of schoolboys to finish what he started. Few Westerns have left such an impression on audiences as this 1972 coming-of-age classic.

But what happened to those fresh-faced young actors who rode alongside Wayne? Where did life take them after their unforgettable cattle drive across the silver screen? Let's round up The Cowboys cast and discover their fascinating journeys from then to now.

The Legendary John Wayne and His Final Years

John Wayne (65 when filming), who portrayed weathered rancher Wil Andersen, was already a Western icon by the time The Cowboys premiered in 1972. With his commanding presence and unmistakable drawl, Wayne brought gravitas to this role that many consider among his finest performances.

After The Cowboys, Wayne's health began to decline, but his star power remained undimmed. His post-Cowboys career included:

• Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) • McQ (1974) • Brannigan (1975) • Rooster Cogburn (1975) • The Shootist (1976) – His poignant final film

The Villain Who Dared Kill Duke: Bruce Dern Then and Now

In 1972, Bruce Dern (36 years old during filming) committed the unforgivable sin of Western cinema – killing John Wayne. As the ruthless "Long Hair," Dern created one of the genre's most hated villains. The role was so convincing that Dern reportedly received death threats from outraged Wayne fans!

Unlike many who played Wayne's nemesis, Dern's career flourished afterward. His post-Cowboys highlights include:

• Academy Award nomination for Coming Home (1978) • Memorable role in The 'Burbs (1989) • Another Oscar nomination for Nebraska (2013) • Collaborations with Quentin Tarantino in The Hateful Eight (2015) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

At 87 today (born 1936), Dern remains remarkably active with recent roles in Last Shoot Out (2021) and Oppenheimer (2023), showing the extraordinary longevity of his career.

Roscoe Lee Browne (Jebediah Nightlinger)

Roscoe Lee Browne (age 47 during filming) portrayed the eloquent cook Jebediah Nightlinger with dignity and wisdom that challenged racial stereotypes in Western films.

THEN (1972): An accomplished stage actor and voice performer building his film career.

AFTER THE COWBOYS: Browne enjoyed continued success with: • Emmy Award for guest appearance on The Cosby Show • Acclaimed voice work in Babe (1995) and The Treasure Planet (2002) • Continued stage performances and television appearances

Colleen Dewhurst (Kate)

Though her role as Kate was brief, Colleen Dewhurst (age 48 during filming) made a lasting impression as one of the few female characters in this male-dominated Western.

THEN (1972): Already an established Broadway star known as "the Queen of Off-Broadway."

AFTER THE COWBOYS: Dewhurst's illustrious career included: • Four Primetime Emmy Awards • Two Tony Awards • Beloved role as Marilla Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables (1985) • Regular role on Murphy Brown as Murphy's mother

Robert Carradine (Slim Honeycutt) – From Cowboy to King of the Nerds

For Robert Carradine, The Cowboys represented not just a role but a career beginning. As Slim Honeycutt, he showed early flashes of the talent that would make him a Hollywood mainstay.

THEN: A fresh-faced 18-year-old making his film debut alongside John Wayne.

NOW: A veteran actor with over 100 film credits including: • The Revenge of the Nerds franchise as iconic Lewis Skolnick • Coming Home (1978) with his former villain Bruce Dern • The Big Red One (1980) • Television hosting with King of the Nerds (2013-2015)

Now in his 70s, Carradine still acts occasionally while carrying on the legacy of the famed Carradine acting dynasty.

A Martinez (Cimarron) – From Young Cowboy to Television Star

As the half-Mexican cowboy Cimarron, A Martinez brought natural charisma and quiet intensity to The Cowboys. His performance hinted at the success that would follow.

THEN: A promising young actor in his early 20s playing a character wise beyond his years.

NOW: A television staple with an impressive career including: • Emmy-winning role on Santa Barbara • Long runs on L.A. Law, General Hospital, and Longmire • Film roles in Powwow Highway (1989) • Recent appearances in Queen of the South and continuing work into his 70s

Martinez's five-decade career demonstrates remarkable staying power from his early days as one of Wayne's cowboys.

Check out this 50th Anniversary get together

Rest of the cast continued...

Nicolas Beauvy (Dan)

The Young Cowboy Nicolas Beauvy portrayed Dan with a sensitivity that balanced the more boisterous characters among the young cowboys.

THEN: A serious young performer at age 15 who caught Wayne's attention.

NOW: Now 68 years old, though his acting career was relatively brief, Beauvy appeared in television roles like Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons before eventually leaving acting for a different career path.

Stephen Hudis & Norman Howell Jr. – From Acting to Action

Two of the young cowboys – Stephen Hudis (Charlie, age 12 during filming) and Norman Howell Jr. (Weedy, approximately 13 during filming) – followed remarkably similar paths after The Cowboys.

THEN (1972): Young actors learning the ropes of filmmaking on a major Western production.

NOW (2025): Both built successful careers in stunts:

Their transitions from child actors to stunt professionals show how The Cowboys opened unexpected doors in Hollywood.

Where Are the Other Young Cowboys Today?

The remaining young cast members followed diverse paths after their brush with Western fame:

• Sean Kelly (Stuttering Bob, age 14 during filming): Appeared in The Waltons and The Car (1977) before moving away from Hollywood. Now in his mid-60s, he has maintained a private life away from the entertainment industry.

• Alfred Barker Jr. (Fats, age 13 during filming): Had a brief acting career including The Young Nurses (1973) before pursuing interests outside entertainment. Now around 65 years old, he has kept a low profile since leaving acting.

• Sam O'Brien (Dan, approximately 13-14 during filming): Made appearances in Gunsmoke but eventually left acting entirely. Now in his mid-60s, he chose a path outside the entertainment industry.

• Steve Benedict (Steve, age 14 during filming): After a few more roles in the 1970s, Benedict stepped away from acting. Now approximately 67 years old, he has maintained a private life away from Hollywood.

• Mike Pyeatt (Homer, age 12 during filming): Had a handful of television roles before stepping away from the spotlight. Now in his mid-60s, he chose to pursue a life outside of entertainment.

Slim Pickens (Anse Peterson)

Slim Pickens (53 years old during filming) brought his authentic cowboy background to the role of Anse Peterson, the cattle buyer who deals with Wil Andersen.

THEN (1972): Already established as a Western character actor after transitioning from real-life rodeo work, Pickens was known for his distinctive voice and genuine cowboy demeanor.

AFTER THE COWBOYS: Pickens continued his successful career with memorable roles in: • Blazing Saddles (1974) as Taggart • The Howling (1981) • Numerous Western television shows and films

Richard Farnsworth (Henry Williams)

Richard Farnsworth (52 years old during filming) played Henry Williams with the quiet authenticity that would later make him a celebrated actor.

THEN (1972): Primarily working as a stuntman with occasional small roles, Farnsworth had been in the industry since the 1930s but was still earning recognition as an actor.

AFTER THE COWBOYS: Farnsworth's career flourished in his later years: • Academy Award nomination for Comes a Horseman (1978) • Emmy nomination for Chase (1985) • Second Oscar nomination for The Straight Story (1999) at age 79

The Cowboys 50 Years Later: Impact and Legacy

When The Cowboys premiered in theaters in January 1972, few could have predicted its lasting cultural impact. Now, over 50 years later, this coming-of-age Western has secured its place in film history.

For me, what makes this film so special isn't just the shocking death of John Wayne's character – it's watching those young actors transform from schoolboys to vengeful cowboys. The film portrays a distinctly 1970s take on masculinity, showing both vulnerability and toughness in its young cast.

The film's legacy is evident in:

1. John Wayne's filmography – Consistently ranks among fans' favorite Wayne performances, showing his range beyond typical heroic roles
2. Bruce Dern's career – The role that established him as a formidable villain and launched decades of acclaimed work
3. Hollywood stunt community – Launched at least two major stunt careers (Hudis and Howell)
4. Western film evolution – Bridged traditional Westerns with the more morally complex 1970s era
5. Pop culture – The shocking death scene remains one of cinema's most memorable villain triumphs

You Might Remember This If...

You might remember The Cowboys if:

• You fell silent watching Bruce Dern commit the unthinkable by shooting John Wayne in the back

• The revenge sequence with those young cowboys taking justice into their own hands left you conflicted but satisfied

• John Williams' sweeping score – years before Star Wars – gave you chills as the cattle drive traversed those gorgeous New Mexico landscapes

• You later recognised Robert Carradine as Lewis from Revenge of the Nerds and thought, "Wait, he was in that John Wayne movie!"

• A Martinez appearing on your favorite soap opera had you thinking, "Where do I know him from?"

Conclusion: Then, Now, and the Journey Between

From the Duke himself to the schoolboys who avenged him, the cast of The Cowboys has traveled diverse paths since 1972. Some, like Bruce Dern and Robert Carradine, built enduring Hollywood careers. Others, like Stephen Hudis and Norman Howell Jr., found success behind the camera in stunts. Some walked away from the spotlight entirely, choosing different lives away from Hollywood's glare.

As we've seen, the film that gave us one of cinema's most shocking deaths also gave life to numerous careers, launching young actors into the entertainment world with lessons learned from working alongside the legendary John Wayne. For these cowboys, that cattle drive across the silver screen was just the beginning of many remarkable journeys.

Whether you're revisiting The Cowboys for nostalgia's sake or discovering it for the first time, it remains a powerful snapshot of a pivotal moment in Western film history – when the Duke passed the torch to a new generation, both on screen and in Hollywood itself.

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