The show’s success owed much to Connors’ commanding presence and the genuine bond with on-screen son Johnny Crawford.
Despite his TV image as an ideal father, Connors’ personal life was complex. Multiple marriages, infidelities, and a notable age gap in relationships contradicted his wholesome on-screen persona. Additionally, Connors stood out in liberal Hollywood as a vocal conservative, supporting figures like Nixon and Reagan.
In the post-“Rifleman” era, Connors struggled to escape McCain’s shadow, venturing into various roles in TV and film. His twilight years saw a return to the iconic character in a 1991 TV movie before his battle with lung cancer led to his demise in 1992 at the age of 71.