Bob Steele was a popular American actor who starred in hundreds of movies and TV shows, mostly in the Western genre. He was known for his rugged looks, his icy stare, and his skillful fighting scenes. He played heroes and villains alike, and entertained millions of fans with his thrilling adventures. But how did he die, and what was his cause of death? In this article, we will explore the life and death of Bob Steele, and pay tribute to his legacy.
Early Life and Career
Bob Steele was born Robert Adrian Bradbury on January 23, 1907, in Portland, Oregon. His father was Robert North Bradbury, a silent film director, and his mother was Nieta Quinn, a vaudeville performer. He had a twin brother, Bill, who also became an actor. The family moved to Hollywood in the late 1910s, where Bob and Bill started their acting careers as teenagers in a series of adventure shorts titled The Adventures of Bob and Bill, directed by their father.
In 1927, Bob changed his name to Bob Steele and signed a contract with Film Booking Offices of America (FBO), a production company that specialized in low-budget Westerns. He soon became a popular cowboy star, appearing in dozens of films for FBO and other studios such as Monogram, Republic, and Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC). Some of his notable films include The Mojave Kid (1927), The Feud Maker (1938), Of Mice and Men (1939), The Big Sleep (1946), and Ambush Trail (1946).
The Three Mesquiteers
One of the most successful series that Bob Steele starred in was The Three Mesquiteers, a group of cowboy heroes who fought for justice in the Old West. The series was based on a novel by William Colt MacDonald, and produced by Republic Pictures from 1936 to 1943. There were 51 films in total, each featuring three different actors as the Mesquiteers. Bob Steele played one of the Mesquiteers in 29 films, alongside other famous Western stars such as John Wayne, Roy Rogers, and Duncan Renaldo. Some of the titles include Powdersmoke Range (1935), Riders of the Whistling Skull (1937), Call of the Mesquiteers (1938), and Outlaws of Cherokee Trail (1941).
Later Career and TV Roles
By the late 1940s, Bob Steele’s career as a leading man in Westerns was declining, as the genre became less popular and more competitive. He continued to work as a supporting actor in various films and TV shows, often playing tough guys or villains. He appeared in several films with John Wayne, such as Island in the Sky (1953), Rio Bravo (1959), Rio Lobo (1970), The Comancheros (1961), and The Longest Day (1962). He also had roles in science fiction films like Atomic Submarine (1959) and Giant from the Unknown (1958).
On television, he appeared in many Western shows such as Colt .45, Sugarfoot, The Californians, Maverick, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rawhide, Wagon Train, and Death Valley Days. His most memorable TV role was as Trooper Duffy in the comedy series F Troop from 1965 to 1967. He played a dim-witted cavalryman who often got into trouble with his superiors.
Death and Legacy
Bob Steele died on December 21, 1988, at the age of 81. He had been suffering from emphysema for a long time, a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath and coughing. He passed away at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. He was cremated and his ashes were interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
Bob Steele left behind a rich legacy of films and TV shows that spanned six decades. He was one of the most prolific and versatile actors in Hollywood history, appearing in nearly 400 productions. He was admired by fans and peers alike for his charisma, professionalism, and talent. He was also an inspiration for other artists, such as Hank Ketcham, who based his character Cowboy Bob on him for his comic strip Dennis the Menace.
Bob Steele will always be remembered as one of the greatest cowboy stars of all time, who brought excitement and joy to millions of viewers with his thrilling performances.
