Characters of The Virginian
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The Virginian The Virginian: The Man With No Name. He is the foreman
at Shiloh Ranch, and always tries to maintain law and order
in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. He was born in Fairfax, Virginia.
He joined Shiloh after Judge Garth saved his life. In The
Virginian novel, he is the foreman of Sunk Creek Ranch.
Not much is known about The Virginian's mysterious past.
The Cowboy Way:
"If it's not true, don't say it.
If it's not yours, don't take it.
If it's not right, don't do it."
Played by: James Drury
Appearances: Season 1-9
First Appearance: The Executioners
Trampas
Trampas, The Virginian's sidekick, best friend, and number
one ranch hand, always finds himself in all sorts of adventures.
He is the second main character on the show. Trampas gets
along great with kids and is always like a father to them.
In The Virginian novel, Trampas is a gambler, villain and the
main antagonist to the Virginian, but this Trampas is The
Virginian's best friend.
Played by: Doug McClure
Appearances: Season 1-9
First Appearance: The Executioners
Steve
Steve Hill, a friend of The Virginian and Trampas, is a
cowhand at Shiloh Ranch. He starts on the show as the third
main character. He came to Shiloh as a ranch hand because
he didn't like the other ranch he worked for that was having
a fued with Judge Garth. The Steve in The Virginian novel
was hanged for cattle rustling, but this Steve is a great
sidekick of The Virginian and Trampas and is part of the trio.
Played by: Gary Clarke
Appearances: Season 1-3
First Appearance: The Executioners
Randy
Randy Benton is a young cowhand at Shiloh Ranch. He likes
to sing and play the guitar, and he is very good friends with
Betsy, as she is the first one at Shiloh that he ever met. He
started as a lonely drifter and eventually found a job as a
cowhand at Shiloh Ranch. He sometimes accompanies The Virginian
and Trampas on their adventures. Much like The Virginian, not
much is known about Randy's mysterious past.
Played by: Randy Boone
Appearances: Season 2-4
First Appearance: First To Thine Own Self
Betsy
Betsy Garth is Judge Garth's daughter. She never finds out,
however, that Judge Garth isn't her father. Her real father
keeps it a secret from her. Betsy gets married to former
minister, David Henderson, at the beginning of Season 4 and
goes off to live in Medicine Bow, leaving the show. Betsy
likes to take care of people and nurse them; she also likes
to sing and sometimes with Randy, while he plays his guitar.
Played by: Roberta Shore
Appearances: Season 1-4
First Appearance: The Executioners
Judge Garth
Henry Garth, a retired judge, is the owner of Shiloh Ranch.
Sometime in the early 1880's, Garth settled in Medicine Bow,
Wyoming, with his young daughter, Betsy, and built a house
at Shiloh. He is a strong upholder of the law, willing to
see that justice is always done.
Played by: Lee J. Cobb
Appearances: Season 1-4
First Appearance: The Executioners
Deputy Sheriff Ryker
Emmett Ryker is the town's deputy sheriff, starting in
Season 3. He was deputized by Sheriff Abbott, who thought
Ryker was up to the job. Ryker is an excellent lawman and
has a good shot too. He does his best at maintaining law
and order in Medicine Bow, Wyoming.
Played by: Clu Gulager
Appearances: Season 3-6
First Appearance: Ryker
Belden
Belden is a cowhand at Shiloh Ranch. He is very funny and
likes to pull pranks and all sorts of practical jokes on
everyone. He likes to spend his time off at the bar drunk,
smashing chairs into mirrors and throwing empty beer bottles.
Played by: L.Q. Jones
Appearances: Season 2-6 & 9
First Appearance: The Evil That Men Do
Sheriff Abbott
Mark Abbott is the sheriff of Medicine Bow throughout the
entire show. Mark deputized Emmett Ryker in Season 3
because he knew he would make a good lawman. He was
once badly wounded in a gunfight near the end of the show.
Played by: Ross Elliott
Appearances: Season 1-9
First Appearance: The Big Deal
Miss Molly
Molly Wood, or better known by The Virginian, Trampas, and
Steve as "Miss Molly" is a news reporter in Medicine Bow.
She was accidentally killed when four outlaws shot up her
building in Season 2.
Played by: Pippa Scott
Appearances: Season 1 & 2
First Appearance: The Executioners
