Actor. Born William Erksine Strange to Bernice and John Strange, who were school teachers in Denver, Colorado. When still a child, his family moved to Laramie, Wyoming, graduating from Laramie High in 1947 before attending the University of Wyoming. He was an accomplished musician and played bass in several bands during his school years. In 1950 he was drafted and entered service as a First Lieutenant due to his training in ROTC at school. He was deployed to Korea during the UN action there. After demobilization, he served as a seasonal ranger at Grand Teton National Park before trying his hand at the rodeo circuit. In California, after a name change change to Wayde Preston, he had won a role on the television western 'Cheyenne' in 1956 when he met rising starlet Carol Ohmart. He was still an unknown, but his association with Ohmart caused enough buzz to give him a chance for the lead role of the new TV series 'Colt .45' which he then played for three seasons. His marriage to Ohmart last only two years. He guest starred as Waco Williams in a 1958 episode of 'Maverick' entitled 'The Saga of Waco Williams,' a fan favorite, garnering more viewers than any other series episode. His tenure at the studio ended when he walked off the set as part of the notorious Warner Bros. Walkout, when along with such friends James Garner and Clint Walker, he went on strike to protest low wages, long hours and the studio refusal to provide a stunt man for actors. During the 1960s, he joined the ranks turning out low budget westerns in Europe such as, 'Wrath of God' (1968); 'Death Knows No Time' (1969); and 'A Man Called Sledge' (1970). Other features included 'Man on the Spying Trapeze' (1966), 'Anzio' (1968) and 'Hollywood Man' (1976). He returned to the US by the end of the 1970s for cancer treatment. Afterward, he appeared as a guest in a small handful of television series including 'Starsky and Hutch,' and 'The Hardy Boys.' His last film role was in the 1990 feature, 'Captain America.' He succumbed to cancer two years later at the age of 62.
Actor. Born William Erksine Strange to Bernice and John Strange, who were school teachers in Denver, Colorado. When still a child, his family moved to Laramie, Wyoming, graduating from Laramie High in 1947 before attending the University of Wyoming. He was an accomplished musician and played bass in several bands during his school years. In 1950 he was drafted and entered service as a First Lieutenant due to his training in ROTC at school. He was deployed to Korea during the UN action there. After demobilization, he served as a seasonal ranger at Grand Teton National Park before trying his hand at the rodeo circuit. In California, after a name change change to Wayde Preston, he had won a role on the television western 'Cheyenne' in 1956 when he met rising starlet Carol Ohmart. He was still an unknown, but his association with Ohmart caused enough buzz to give him a chance for the lead role of the new TV series 'Colt .45' which he then played for three seasons. His marriage to Ohmart last only two years. He guest starred as Waco Williams in a 1958 episode of 'Maverick' entitled 'The Saga of Waco Williams,' a fan favorite, garnering more viewers than any other series episode. His tenure at the studio ended when he walked off the set as part of the notorious Warner Bros. Walkout, when along with such friends James Garner and Clint Walker, he went on strike to protest low wages, long hours and the studio refusal to provide a stunt man for actors. During the 1960s, he joined the ranks turning out low budget westerns in Europe such as, 'Wrath of God' (1968); 'Death Knows No Time' (1969); and 'A Man Called Sledge' (1970). Other features included 'Man on the Spying Trapeze' (1966), 'Anzio' (1968) and 'Hollywood Man' (1976). He returned to the US by the end of the 1970s for cancer treatment. Afterward, he appeared as a guest in a small handful of television series including 'Starsky and Hutch,' and 'The Hardy Boys.' His last film role was in the 1990 feature, 'Captain America.' He succumbed to cancer two years later at the age of 62.
Bio by: Iola
Inscription
US ARMY
Family Members
Advertisement
