ALEX CORD remembers Ben Johnson! GUNSMOKE! Norman Rockwell! STAGECOACH!Dean Smith! Rodeos!GRAYEAGLE!

R.I.P. Alex Cord (May 3, 1933-Aug 9, 2021). Empty Saddle. Alex was the real deal. He was a charismatic actor who left many fine performances. Not enough! But, he was directed by Sam Peckinpah in “Noon Wine,” had a winning shootout with Harrison Ford on GUNSMOKE, intimidated Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson as a scurvy Buffalo hunter on THE QUEST, went to Spain for one of the best Spaghetti westerns (and one of the coolest titles) A MINUTE TO PRAY, A SECOND TO DIE, was the mysterious Archangel on AIRWOLF and even became the Ringo Kid, having his portrait done by Norman Rockwell while romancing Ann-Margret in the 1966 feature remake of STAGECOACH. A very experienced rider, Alex was on the winning Polo Team at the LA Equestrian Center. I remember once (or twice) when the rival team was short a player, Alex would don their “colors,” saddle up and fill the slot so the game could commence. He should have been a bigger star. But he didn’t need to be a better friend. Born Alexander Viespi, Jr. in New York, Alex was stricken with polio as a child and was sent by his parents to a ranch in Wyoming to regain his strength. His love for horses, nourished by his mother when he was even younger, grew to such an extent that Alex dropped out of school and went on the rodeo circuit, riding broncs and bulls. It wasn’t until years later that he joined the elite group of celebrities who rode with Oscar winner and rodeo champion Ben Johnson where Alex learned to Team Rope. The popular Pro-Celebrity Rodeos raised money for various children’s charities. In 2001, Alex received the coveted Golden Boot Award, called the “Oscar of westerns.”

Presented here is an extended interview. This was a special conversation I had with Alex using a handheld camera in Kanab, Utah, Aug 28, 2015, during the annual western film festival. I’m so grateful that we took the time to make it happen. I had no microphone so was sitting across from Alex holding the camera close enough to pick up his audio. My voice was near the camera’s mic so I was really clear…and loud. Alex’s audio had a bit of echo and room noise. I think Robby did a fantastic job in the final audio mix balancing our voices. I had no tripod either and had to stop periodically because, as my arms started to tire, they’d begin to shake. When that happened, we’d break for a moment, take a sip of whiskey, I’d stretch my arms, and we’d continue. Me, peeking around the camera lens for eye contact with Alex, trying to have a conversation while not wiggling the handheld camera. I’d rented a house in Kanab for the festival, and it became the party house! During the interview, rowdy celebs would enter through the door behind Alex. We’d tell them to get the heck out of the shot, offer them a beverage and continue. Gee, an audience! Things would get a little rowdy on the front porch every night. A great time was had by all! We miss Alex. He had so many friends and has left us with a legacy of memories on film, and in this, A WORD ON WESTERNS episode, that we can share with his friends and fans. Now he’s riding and roping with Ben, Casey, Doug, Johnny and a lot of other good hands. Rest in Peace, amigo, you’re riding high.