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WOOD RIVER - The Wood River History Museum has extended its Clint Walker Exhibit through June 2026 at 40 W. Ferguson St. in Wood River, giving visitors additional time to view the tribute ahead of what would have been the actor’s 100th birthday on May 30, 2026.
The exhibit is open free of charge from 1 to 4 p.m. every Saturday in June 2026 at the museum.
Walker, a Riverbend native, was known for a long career in film and television. He was best known for his role in “The Dirty Dozen” and for starring as Cheyenne Bodie in the television series “Cheyenne,” which aired from 1955 to 1963.
The Wood River Museum said Walker was “a true Riverbender and pioneer in everything he did.”
Mary Jo Swengrosh of Alton, identified as Walker’s cousin, said Walker was more than an actor.
“He was a true Riverbender person, living in Hartford, Wood River, and Alton,” Swengrosh said. “Working with his history, he was a family member and a pioneer in everything he did. One pioneering move was being the first television actor in a number one series, 'Cheyenne', which was an hour long. Even his only child was a pioneer - Captain Valerie Walker became the first woman airline captain in America.”
Walker began his career playing Tarzan in “Jungle Gents” in 1954 and appeared as a Sardinian in “The Ten Commandments” in 1956. His film credits also included “Fort Dobbs” in 1958, “Yellowstone Kelly” in 1959, “Gold of the Seven Saints” in 1961, “None But the Brave” in 1965, “The Dirty Dozen” in 1967, “More Dead Than Alive” in 1969, “Sam Whiskey” in 1969 and “The White Buffalo” in 1977.
His television work included “Yuma” in 1971, “The Bounty Man” in 1972, “Scream of the Wolf” in 1974, “Killdozer” in 1974, “Kodiak” in 1974, “Centennial” in 1978, “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw” in 1991 and an episode of “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues” in 1995. He also voiced Nick Nitro in “Small Soldiers” in 1998.
According to the provided information, Walker died of congestive heart failure on May 21, 2018, in Grass Valley, California, at age 90.
Area residents and others from outside the area are encouraged to come and visit the museum tribute to a true American hero, and once a local boy, Clint Walker.
