Mark McCain

Mark McCain
The Rifleman character
Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain in a 1961 publicity shot for The Rifleman
Created bySam Peckinpah (uncredited), Arnold Laven Arthur Gardner
Portrayed byJohnny Crawford
In-universe information
GenderMale
Occupationranch-hand; protege and confidant to his father
FamilyLucas (father); Margaret Gibbs (mother, deceased); John "Johnny" Gibbs (maternal uncle)
NationalityAmerican

Mark McCain is the son of fictitious rancher Lucas McCain in the ABC Western television series The Rifleman, starring Chuck Connors, which ran from 1958 to 1963. Singer/actor and former Mouseketeer Johnny Crawford was cast in the role and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1959 as Best Supporting Actor (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series.[1] However, Dennis Weaver, then portraying Chester Goode on CBS's Gunsmoke, won the honor.[2]

Mark McCain was more than just a supporting player in The Rifleman, as the boy's bond with his father was a core element of the show. In many ways he was the co-lead of the series and appeared in nearly every episode and in a majority of scenes.

  1. ^ "Awards for Johnny Crawford". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  2. ^ "Dennis Weaver – Awards". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved July 28, 2018.