Richard Webb

Richard Webb (1915–1993) was an American actor whose career spanned four decades across film, television, and radio. Born on October 9, 1915 in New York City, Webb entered the entertainment world after serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World II, where he honed his dramatic skills in military‑produced broadcasts. His first major screen appearance came in the late 1940s, when he signed with Columbia Pictures and quickly became known for his strong, rugged presence, often cast as the stoic hero or dependable supporting figure. Webb’s breakthrough role arrived with the 1954 television series Captain Midnight, in which he portrayed the titular air‑patrol commander, a part that cemented his status as a reliable leading man in the burgeoning medium of early television. Over the next two decades he guest‑starred on such iconic programs as Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, The Lone Ranger, and Mannix, displaying a versatility that allowed him to shift seamlessly between westerns, crime dramas, and science‑fiction anthologies. In film, he is perhaps best remembered for his performance in the 1957 sci‑fi classic The Man from the Black Hills and for supporting roles in The Great White Hope and The High Chaparral. Webb also maintained a prolific radio career, lending his resonant voice to numerous serials and dramatic adaptations during the golden age of broadcasting. Though never a headline star, his consistent work ethic, professionalism, and understated charisma earned him the respect of peers and a lasting legacy among classic‑era enthusiasts. He retired from acting in the early 1990s and passed away on June 14, 1993 in Santa Barbara, California, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be celebrated by fans of mid‑century American entertainment.