Walter Brennan
often appeared in Gary Cooper's westerns and played Grandpa on "The Real McCoys" for over 220 episodes
◄ IMDb Polls
Poll: Greatest Western sidekick?
These (often old) pardners were relied on in hundreds of Western movies and TV shows to back up the star and provide humor between shoot-outs. Which of these actors who often played sidekicks did you most enjoy watching?
Make Your Choice
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Smiley Burnette
played Gene Autry's sidekick in over 80 films -
Pat Buttram
replaced Smiley Burnette as Gene Autry's sidekick, played Mr. Haney on over 140 episodes of "Green Acres" -
Leo Carrillo
played Pancho Villa in several productions, including over 150 episodes of "The Cisco Kid" -
Andy Clyde
replaced Gabby Hayes as Hopalong Cassidy's sidekick and played California Carlson for years in movies and on television and radio -
Ken Curtis
appeared in many John Ford films, over 300 episodes of Gunsmoke as Festus -
Andy Devine
over 100 episodes of "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" as Jingles Jones, appeared in several John Ford films -
Jack Elam
over 200 credits in western films and tv shows -
George 'Gabby' Hayes
sidekick to William Boyd in the Hopalong Cassidy films, sidekick to John Wayne 15 times -
Slim Pickens
described as the Gabby Hayes of the '60s and '70s, often played the trail boss or cook including in Blazing Saddles -
Jay Silverheels
The Cowboy and the Indians, over 200 episodes of "The Lone Ranger" as Tonto -
Al St. John
sidekick of Buster Crabbe, Robert Livingston and Lash La Rue, appeared in over 300 films including several for Mack Sennett with the Keystone Cops -
Chill Wills
The Alamo, The Rounders, only performer nominated for an Oscar for playing a sidekick
