One of the busiest character actors in the industry, Paul Fix appeared in more than 300 films during his career. He began in local theater and repertory companies in upstate New York, and journeyed to Hollywood in the early 1920s. Unlike many supporting actors, who basically play different versions of the same character throughout their career, Fix was tremendously versatile, and played everything from a cackling, gabby Irish railroad engineer to a cold-eyed hired gunfighter. Early in his career Fix became friends with John Wayne, and the two remained close for the rest of their lives, with Fix appearing in many of Wayne's films. The role Paul Fix will be most remembered for is that of Micah Torrance, the easy-going but tough sheriff of North Fork, in the Chuck Connors TV series The Rifleman.


Supposedly Fix taught John Wayne -- a lifelong friend -- his famous and distinctive "rolling walk" when Wayne was starting out in the business. He wanted something to set him apart, so Fix suggested the rolling gait that became his trademark. Had a stutter off-screen. Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, California - Block 17. Served in the US Navy during World War I.