Fess Parker

Fess Parker, who launched a craze for racoonskin caps while playing famous American pioneers Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, has died of natural causes. He was 85.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Mar 2010, 20:27 BST

Updated 19th Mar 2010, 20:27 BST

"Fess Parker has been a role model and idol of mine since I first saw him on the big screen – he is a true Hollywood legend," said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Former first lady Nancy Reagan added Parker was "a longtime friend to Ronnie and me ... He will be greatly missed".

The first instalment of Davy Crockett debuted in December 1954.

The 6ft, 6in Parker was quickly embraced by youngsters as the man in a racoonskin cap who stood for the spirit of the American frontier. The Ballad of Davy Crockett ("Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee...") was a No 1 hit for singer Bill Hayes while Parker's own version reached No 5.

The first three television episodes were turned into a film, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, in 1955.