Ty Hardin, the rugged actor who starred in the popular Western TV series Bronco in the late 1950s and early 1960s, died on August 3, 2017, at the age of 87. His death was confirmed by his wife, Carolyn Pampu Hardin, who said he had been in failing health. But what was Ty Hardin cause of death? And what was his life story? In this article, we will explore the facts and the controversies surrounding the Bronco star and anti-tax activist.
Contents
Ty Hardin Cause of Death: The Truth Behind His Illness
According to his wife, Ty Hardin died of respiratory failure caused by emphysema, a chronic lung disease that damages the air sacs and makes it hard to breathe. Hardin was a longtime smoker who had announced in 2002 that he was suffering from the disease.
Hardin passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he had been hospitalized for two weeks before his death. He was survived by his wife, Carolyn, and his eight children from his previous marriages. He also had numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Hardin had kept a low profile after retiring from acting in the early 1990s, living in a ranch in Huntington Beach, California. He occasionally attended Western film festivals and conventions, where he met his fans and signed autographs. He also wrote a memoir, titled Bronco Memoirs: A Not So Average Joe, which was published in 2014
Ty Hardin: A Star Is Born
Ty Hardin was born as Orison Whipple Hungerford Jr. on January 1, 1930, in New York City, but grew up in Texas, where his family moved when he was six months old. He had a passion for magic and entertainment since he was a child, performing as “The Great Carsoni” at local clubs and events. He also excelled in sports, playing football and tennis in high school and college.
Hardin served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he became a pilot of Forward Observer O-1 Bird Dog liaison aircraft. He attained the rank of first lieutenant and received several medals for his service. After the war, he attended the University of Nebraska, where he majored in journalism and radio.
Hardin was discovered by a Paramount Pictures talent scout in 1957, when he attended a costume party dressed as a cowboy. He moved to Hollywood and changed his name to Ty Hardin, after the notorious Texas gunfighter John Wesley Hardin. He appeared in several minor roles in Paramount films, such as The Space Children, I Married a Monster from Outer Space, and Last Train from Gun Hill
Hardin’s big break came in 1958, when he was hired by Warner Bros. to replace Clint Walker, who had walked out on his ABC series Cheyenne over a contract dispute2. Hardin played Bronco Layne, a former Confederate officer turned adventurer, who roamed the Old West in search of justice and fortune. Hardin was such a hit that he got his own spinoff series, Bronco, which ran from 1958 to 1962.
Hardin became one of the most popular Western stars of his time, appearing in more than 70 episodes of Bronco, as well as guest-starring in other Warner Bros. shows, such as Maverick, Sugarfoot, and 77 Sunset Strip. He also starred in several feature films, such as Merrill’s Marauders, The Chapman Report, PT 109, and Wall of Noise.
Ty Hardin: A Rebel With a Cause
Hardin’s career declined in the 1960s, as the Western genre lost its appeal and he faced competition from younger actors. He moved to Europe, where he starred in a number of spaghetti Westerns and action films, such as Death on the Run, Savage Pampas, and Bersaglio altezza uomo. He also appeared in an Australian TV series, Riptide, in 1969.
Hardin returned to the U.S. in the 1970s, but found it hard to get work in Hollywood. He became involved in politics and social issues, joining the anti-war movement and the environmental movement. He also became a vocal critic of the federal government and the Internal Revenue Service, accusing them of corruption and tyranny.
In 1974, Hardin founded an anti-tax organization called the Arizona Patriots, which claimed to have thousands of members across the country. The group advocated for a constitutional amendment that would abolish the income tax and the Federal Reserve System. The group also engaged in armed confrontations with law enforcement and federal agents, resulting in several arrests and trials.
Hardin was indicted in 1976 for conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion, along with 17 other members of the Arizona Patriots. He was accused of printing and distributing millions of dollars worth of fake money orders, which he claimed were backed by gold and silver. He was also accused of plotting to kidnap a federal judge and a U.S. attorney
Hardin pleaded not guilty and defended himself in court, arguing that he was a victim of a political persecution and a conspiracy by the “New World Order”. He also claimed that he had renounced his U.S. citizenship and declared himself a “sovereign citizen” of the Republic of Texas. He was acquitted of all charges in 1979, after a mistrial and a hung jury.
Hardin continued to be active in the anti-tax and patriot movements until the late 1980s, when he retired from public life and focused on his family and his faith. He became a born-again Christian and a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He also reconciled with his former employer, Warner Bros., and participated in several reunions and tributes to the studio’s Western stars.
Ty Hardin: A Legacy to Remember
Ty Hardin’s death was mourned by his fans, friends, and colleagues, who remembered him for his charisma, talent, and courage. He was also praised for his service to his country and his support for various causes. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
Hardin’s legacy lives on through his films, TV shows, and books, as well as through his children and grandchildren, who followed his footsteps in the entertainment industry. He will always be remembered as one of the icons of the Western genre and a rebel with a cause. Rest in peace, Ty Hardin. You will be missed.
