Fess Elisha Parker, Jr., born August 16, 1924, is an American film and television actor best known for his 1950s portrayals of Davy Crockett for Walt Disney and of Daniel Boone in the late 1960s on TV. He is also known as a wine maker and resort owner-operator.

Early years: Parker was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up on a small farm outside San Angelo. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps at the end of World War II. He joined to become a pilot, but was turned down for being too tall (six feet, six inches).

At the University of Texas he was initiated into the [Pi Kappa Alpha] Fraternity in 1948. Parker graduated from the University in 1950 with a history degree, and then moved to California, where he studied drama at the University of Southern California.

Career" Parker began his show-business career in the play [Mister Roberts] in 1951, although he is credited with the voice of Leslie, the chauffeur, in the 1950 film [Harvey.]