Those old enough to recall the golden age of TV westerns will likely remember “Sugarfoot,” which ran on ABC from 1957 through 1961. The title character was played by actor Will Hutchins, who has made Glen Head his home since 1995.
Hutchins was born in Los Angeles, the heart of the film industry. He appeared as an extra in a W.C Fields movie at the age of 9 before a casting call while a student at UCLA marked a formal start to his career. Guest roles in shows like “77 Sunset Strip,” ”Perry Mason,” “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour” and “Gunsmoke” followed, along with big-screen appearances alongside stars like Jack Nicholson, Clint Eastwood and Elvis Presley.
When Hollywood roles grew scarce, Hutchins turned to the theater, worked as a circus clown and ringmaster and spent time in London, Australia and Sri Lanka. His marriage to Barbara Torres brought Will to Glen Head where the couple has resided for over 20 years. He writes a regular column for Western Clippings, a newsletter devoted to Western fans.
(Photo: Will Hutchins as “Sugarfoot. Will and Elvis Presley in “Clambake”)