My Genealogy Hound

Kevin “Chuck” Connors, grave and tombstone, San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, photo

Kevin “Chuck” Connors, grave and tombstone, San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, photo, The Rifleman.

The tombstone and grave site of Kevin “Chuck” Connors, best known simply as Chuck Connors. Connors was born as Kevin Joseph Aloysius Connors on April 10, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York. After serving in World War II, Connors became one of the very few to play on both, a professional basketball team and a professional baseball team. At 6' 6" tall, Connors played with the Boston Celtics starting in 1946. He moved to baseball in 1949 to play for his hometown team, the Brooklyn Dodgers and in 1951 with the Chicago Cubs. He was also drafted to play professional football with the Chicago Bears but did not join the team.

Connors moved to acting in various movie roles starting in 1952. His most well known movie role was in the Disney movie, Old Yeller (1957). From 1958 to 1963, Connors starred as Lucas McCain in the television series, The Rifleman. Numerous movie and television appearances followed afterward with his final appearance in 1991 in the movie, The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw where he again played the role of Lucas McCain.

Kevin “Chuck” Connors died on November 10, 1992 in Los Angeles, California. His death was from pneumonia and lung cancer, the result of being a lifelong smoker. He was 71 years old. Connors is buried in the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. His tombstone carries four images: at the upper left is a photo of Connors as The Rifleman; the other three corners bear the logos of the three professional sports teams he played for.

Additional Graves and Tombstones: Famous, Infamous and Otherwise

View additional California historic photos, images and vintage postcards

View additional historic photos, images and vintage postcards for other topics and locations

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of family biographies, vintage maps and vintage postcards.

Follow My Genealogy Hound on Facebook: Follow me on Facebook