Dale Robertson, who starred in many Westerns for both television and film when the genre was at the height of its popularity, has died after a brief illness. He was 89 years old.

Robertson began his acting career while he was still on active duty in the Army after an act of serendipity; after having a photo taken for his mother, an employee of the photo shop placed his image in their window, which attracted the attention of movie scouts. Soon enough, he went from being a twice-wounded soldier to acting on the big screen.

Robertson soon found success in both TV and on film, landing roles in “Tales Of Wells Fargo” and “Iron Horse”, and in films like “Fighting Man Of The Plains” in which he played Jesse James. The handsome actor was soon rubbing elbows with some of the biggest names of the day, such as Marilyn Monroe.

Later in his career, Robertson found roles on evening soap operas like “Dynasty” and “Dallas”. The Oklahoma native retired in 1993 to a ranch in Yukon before moving to the San Diego area, where he lived out his last months.

“I remember him as a larger-than-life fellow,” niece Nancy Robertson said. “When he was in town it was always very exciting. It always meant something magical was going to happen.”

Robertson was awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars and the Purple Heart during his service to the Army, but his family says he would have wanted to be remembered first and foremost as a father, grandfather, and Oklahoman.