Edward Faulkner, 'Gunsmoke' Actor and Former Fighter Pilot, Dies at 93

Edward Faulkner, known for his appearances on projects such as 'Weed', 'The Blue Knight', 'Toma', 'The Odd Couple', as well as 'The Night Stalker', to name a few, has passed away. The actor was 93 at the time of his demise. Edward Faulkner, aged 93 at the time of his passing, left for his heavenly abode on August 29, 2025. The news of his demise was recently confirmed by his daughter, Leslie Wadsworth, to The Hollywood Reporter. The actor passed away peacefully in Vista, California, at a healthcare facility. "Offscreen, Faulkner never lost his boyhood love of magic, delighting friends and family with sleight-of-hand and illusions throughout his life. Colleagues and loved ones alike remembered him for his kindness and genuine warmth — qualities that defined him as much as his body of work," said the late actor's daughter to the news portal.The actor was born on February 29, 1932, in Kentucky, Lexington, and was the younger of two siblings. Fielden Edward Faulkner II was born into a family with no background in the film and TV show business, as his father owned a supply company, and his mother worked as a music teacher. As a child, he had always been interested in artistic activities; however, his love for performing and acting began when he first became interested in magic at the age of 11. After learning and honing the art, the star used to perform at parties and other small-scale events, making a name for himself. Other than this, his descent into acting began with amateur theatre. He and his friend starred together in a comedy school play titled 'Faulkner & Seeley--The Sunshine Twins'. The show was a success, and they performed at a few high school events before leaving for college. The actor also took up theatre activities while he studied at the University of Virginia and the University of Kentucky in Lexington. After graduating in 1954, Faulkner also served as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force at the time for two years.Faulkner arrived in LA in 1958 to begin his journey as an actor. His first role came in the form of a side character for an episode of 'Have Gun — Will Travel'. Renowned actor, the late Victor McLaglen who helped him land his first role, also got him other projects in the industry as well such as 'Gunsmoke', 'Rawhide', 'Shenandoah', 'Everglades!', 'The Ballad of Josie', 'Wagon Train and The Lieutenant' and 'The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come', and 'Something Big'.In an interview with KPBS Public Media, the actor had described the kind of roles he had done over the years extensively. He had shared a humorous comment, saying, "I never won a fight, I was always the bad guy."He was also known for his work with John Wayne. Over the years, the two worked on 6 projects, namely: 'McLintock!', 'The Green Berets', 'Hell Fighters', 'The Undefeated', 'Chisum', and 'Rio LoBo'.He is survived by his daughters Jan, Barbara, and Leslie, his son Edward III, as well as his beloved grandchildren: Tyler, Wyatt, Steven, Olivia, and Brooke.