Will Hutchins, Star of ABC’s *Sugarfoot*, Passes Away at 94
Will Hutchins, the distinctive actor renowned for his portrayal of the amiable sharpshooter and frontier lawyer Tom Brewster on the popular ABC Western series *Sugarfoot* (1957-1961), has sadly passed away at the age of 94. His passing was confirmed on Monday by his wife, Barbara, to renowned Western film and TV historian Boyd Magers.
A Versatile Performer
Throughout his career, Hutchins showcased his talent across various genres. In the 1966-67 NBC sitcom *Hey, Landlord*, created by Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson, he played Woody Banner, who inherits a brownstone in Manhattan. This comedic role followed his earlier work in *The Dick Van Dyke Show*.
In 1968, Hutchins took on another iconic character, Dagwood Bumstead, opposite Patricia Harty in CBS’s *Blondie*, which was based on the famed comic strip. Despite the show’s pedigree, it lasted a mere 16 episodes before its cancellation.
Notable Film Appearances
Hutchins also made contributions to cinema, notably starring alongside Elvis Presley in two films: *Spinout* (1966), where he depicted gourmet cop Tracy Richards, and *Clambake* (1967), where he shared a memorable duet of “Who Needs Money?” with Presley.
If we delve deeper into his career, Hutchins was initially a contract player at Warner Bros. His rise to fame as Tom Brewster in *Sugarfoot* was swift. Brewster, characterized as an inexperienced new sheriff from Bluerock, was affectionately dubbed “sugarfoot,” which implies someone attempting to progress from a tenderfoot stage. As the series evolves, Brewster enrolls in correspondence courses to pursue a law career, as emphasized by the show’s theme song, highlighting his duality as a gunman and aspiring lawyer.
Interestingly, Hutchins also portrayed Brewster’s wicked cousin, The Canary Kid, in three episodes of the show. Reflecting on his experience, Hutchins remarked to Rob Word in a 2021 interview, “I got the dual role, I got to be the sweet, sarsaparilla-chugging-with-a-dash-of-cherry Sugarfoot and the whiskey-of-out-the-bottle Canary Kid… I even wore Humphrey Bogart’s pants from the wardrobe department, which was a thrill!”
Early Life and Education
Will Hutchins, born Marshall Lowell Hutchason on May 5, 1930, in Los Angeles, discovered a love for film at an early age, even appearing in a crowd scene in W.C. Fields’ classic *Never Give a Sucker an Even Break* (1941). He completed his education at John Marshall High School and Pomona College before serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. Following his military service, Hutchins furthered his studies at UCLA film school with the assistance of the G.I. Bill.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Hutchins’ initial break came while appearing in a play alongside actor Richard Chamberlain, leading him to be signed by Chamberlain’s agent, Dick Clayton. His first television appearance occurred in 1956 on the Warner Bros. anthology series *Conflict*, which starred Jim Backus—who would later become his boss on *Blondie*.
Career Highlights
In a notable twist of fate, Hutchins auditioned for the lead role in *No Time for Sargents* (1958)—a part that eventually went to Andy Griffith—and adopted the stage name Will Hutchins due to similarities with Will Rogers Jr. He did, however, secure a role as a pilot in the film.
Interestingly, *Sugarfoot* was originally inspired by the 1954 film *The Boy From Oklahoma*, featuring Will Rogers. During its run, *Sugarfoot* aired along with other Warner Bros. Westerns, such as *Cheyenne* and *Bronco*, with Hutchins making crossover appearances.
While *Sugarfoot* concluded after four seasons with a total of 69 episodes, Hutchins continued his career with film roles in *Claudelle Inglish* (1961), *Merrill’s Marauders* (1962), and the independent film *The Shooting* (1965).
In June 1964, he transitioned to Broadway, stepping into the role previously inhabited by Orson Bean in the comedy *Never Too Late*, directed by the legendary George Abbott. Hutchins eventually departed the role, with Richard Mulligan taking over after his almost year-long tenure.
A Life Beyond Hollywood
After the quick demise of *Hey, Landlord* and *Blondie*, Hutchins took on smaller roles in *Magnum Force* (1973), *The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington* (1977), and *Roar* (1981) before leaving the Hollywood scene altogether, opting for an unusual career in the circus.
The charming actor became a ringmaster and joined a clown troupe in Los Angeles before spending three years traveling throughout Australia with the Ashton Family Circus, performing as Patches the Clown.
In his personal life, Hutchins married Barbara, his second wife, in April 1988. He is survived by a daughter from his first marriage to Chrissie Burnett, who was notably the younger half-sister of comedian Carol Burnett. The couple was married from 1965 to 1969.
Will Hutchins leaves behind a remarkable legacy, remembered for his warmth on screen and his joy off of it.