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Johnny Crawford was scared to work with Chuck Connors because he idolized him
Bonding over baseball helped Crawford and Connors spark their iconic friendship.
Johnny Crawford was wise beyond his years. Many fans of The Rifleman (1958) could easily see that on-screen, but off-screen, Crawford was just like his character in that way.
When Crawford first began playing the role of Mark McCain, son of Lucas McCain, he was only 12 years old. Being an actor in The Rifleman was a big responsibility even for the oldest actors, but the 12-year-old felt the same pressure to perform as the veterans did.
Being a young actor on a show featuring mostly older actors must have been challenging for several reasons. Although it was a great place to learn and grow, the age difference between Crawford and his co-stars affected him in some ways.
For Crawford, it meant no on-screen or off-screen girlfriends—something he often showed interest in during interviews—no kids his age to hang out with and no one his age to relate to.
"All of the characters are mean old cowhands or people like that," Crawford said in a 1959 interview with Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. "They are all much older than I am."
Despite not having kids his own age on The Rifleman set, Crawford had Connors, who was a big kid in his own right. According to the interview, Crawford said he respected and idolized Connors.
Crawford was an avid baseball fan who looked up to Connors long before he started acting. Working with a former sports icon would be the coolest thing any boy his age could do. Crawford spent as much time with Connors as he could, both on-set and off-screen.
"I was real scared when Mom told me I was going to read to play the part of Mr. Connors son in the show," Crawford said. "I remembered him from when he was the first baseman with the Los Angeles Angels. They were my favorite team and Mr. Connors was always the character of the team. I wasn't so much scared about reading for the role; I guess I was more excited about meeting Chuck Connors."
According to the interview, Connors made Crawford feel at home by bonding over baseball, which sparked the iconic friendship between the young actor and the acting veteran.
In fact, the success of The Rifleman is often attributed to the excellent relationship that existed between the two, both on-screen and off.
Being an actor in The Rifleman is already a big feat for any 12-year-old to accomplish, but working with your sports hero is the kind of story most kids dream of.
"Mr. Connors helps me save a lot of money because he gets free tickets to Dodgers games all the time because he knows all the players and he is real nice," Crawford said. "He gives me a few tickets."
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