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Richard Long's children weren't a fan of his character on ''The Big Valley''
Long's biggest critics were his kids.
If you're ever feeling down and out that your children think you're lame and boring, don't fret. Parents in all professions deal with these issues, even the ones whose jobs are objectively cool, like Richard Long.
According to an interview with the Austin American-Statesman, Long discussed his three children, two sons and a daughter. As a father, your work as an actor might be a point of pride, something to show off to your children.
Moreover, in addition to his work on The Big Valley, Long also appeared in Rodeo acts with his costar, Peter Breck. Both of these things feel like they've earned some well-deserved bragging rights, but between Richard Long's children, their dad was no big deal. In fact, he even revealed that his children didn't like his character during his time on his well-known series.
Long's children's issue with their father's character comes from the more peaceful nature of his character, Jarrod Barkley. While the Western series was known for its fight sequences and shootouts, Jarrod wasn't well acquainted with violence on the show, preferring to settle his disputes by besting his opponents mentally instead of physically. This was where Long's children took offense.
In the interview, Long stated, "They didn't think I was very good on The Big Valley because I wore a suit and the others wore cowboy clothes and because I didn't do as much fighting as the others." He concluded, "They thought I was a sissy."
Still, if Long's children weren't pleased with his character, they also had an opportunity to be proud of their father, the director. He directed some episodes of The Big Valley and also helmed the 1964 film Make Like a Thief. Long felt that his time directing gave him a special perspective as a creative on The Big Valley.
In an interview with the Independent Star-News, Long stated, "It helps give me a better insight into elements that make The Big Valley successful. Part of the attraction of the series is that we are [as a family] not always right. We just do the best we can under the circumstances. No superheroes. Just human beings... and that's what people identify with."
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