Keith Larsen

Keith Larsen (June 17, 1924 – December 13, 2006) was an American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer who starred in three short-lived television series between 1955 and 1961.

Background

Larsen was born as Keith Eric Burt in Salt Lake City in 1924. Keith Larsen was of Norwegian descent. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy. After he was demobilized he became involved in stage acting in Santa Monica, California.

Career

Larsen was tapped by a talent scout to play a small uncredited role in 1951 movie Operation Pacific. In 1953, Larsen played the title role of Ed Reed, the Kid in the film Son of Belle Starr, in which his character tries to live an upright life despite the heritage of his two lawless parents, Belle Starr and Jim Reed.

Larsen's career was most notable for his appearance in four weekly television series, including The Hunter (1954), Brave Eagle (1955), Northwest Passage (1958) and The Aquanauts (1960).

In the 1955–1956 television season, Larsen starred in the title role of the 26-week CBS western Brave Eagle. Keith Larsen starred as Brave Eagle, a peaceful young Cheyenne chief. The program was unusual in that it reflected the Native American viewpoint in the settlement of the American West. Larsen's principal co-stars were Kim Winona (1930–1978) as Morning Star, Anthony Numkena, a Hopi Indian then using the stage name Keena Nomkeena, as Keena, Brave Eagle's foster son, and Bert Wheeler (1895–1968) as Smokey Joe.