Faron Young

Birthday: February 25, 1932

Known in the country music field as the "singing sheriff" or the "hillbilly heartthrob" during the 1950s, Faron Young attempted to cash in on his country music celebrity to become a movie star. He made his film debut in a Republic Western playing a callow youth in Hidden Guns (1956). He followed this up with Daniel Boone (1956) and Raiders of Old California (1957). Young disappeared from films during the early '60s, but turned up again later in the decade to appear in a few musical exploitation films, including Nashville Rebel (1966). In addition to his successful musical career, Young also proved to be an astute businessman and he went on to found the Music City News. Late in his life, Young suffered from emphysema. Unable to stand its effects, the 64-year-old Young shot himself on December 9, 1996. He died the following day in Columbia Summit Medical Center. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide