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James Child Drury, Jr. (born April 18, 1934) is an American actor probably best known for his success in playing the title role in the 90-minute weekly Western television series The Virginian, broadcast on NBC from 1962-1971. With 12-14 hour workdays, the series had perhaps the most demanding production schedules in the history of network television. Drury was born in New York, New York, where his father James Sr. was a New York University professor of marketing. He grew up in both New York and Oregon. After a series of bit parts and playing second-lead for Walt Disney, in 1962 Drury got a... MORE

James Child Drury, Jr. (born April 18, 1934) is an American actor probably best known for his success in playing the title role in the 90-minute weekly Western television series The Virginian, broadcast on NBC from 1962-1971. With 12-14 hour workdays, the series had perhaps the most demanding production schedules in the history of network television. Drury was born in New York, New York, where his father James Sr. was a New York University professor of marketing. He grew up in both New York and Oregon. After a series of bit parts and playing second-lead for Walt Disney, in 1962 Drury got a substantial role as a lascivious gold prospector in the early Sam Peckinpah western Ride the High Country. In the same year, he also landed the top-billed leading role of the ranch foreman on The Virginian, a lavish series which ran for nine seasons. The show was based on Owen Wister's classic novel, and the various screen versions that had been filmed since. It has been rumored that Drury was possibly cast because of a vague resemblance to Gary Cooper, who had played the part in an early movie version. Director Andrew J. Fenady stated Drury was offered the lead role in the series due to his LESS