This ABC series recounted the exploits of Johnny Yuma (Nick Adams), an embittered, leather-tough young Confederate army private who journeys West after the Civil War to seek self-identity and inner peace.
Along the way, he defends people from hostile Indians, crooked land developers, ruthless gunslingers and evil ranchers, all the while keeping details of his activities and feelings in his journal. Johnny would never walk away from a situation that required someone to stand up for what was right.
Johnny had lived for a time with the Kiowa Indians as a youngster, and soldiered with the Third Texas Cavalry Regiment.
He spent a year at a Yankee prison camp at Rock Island and escaped to finish out the last six months of the war with Lee’s Army in Northern Virginia.
Leading man Nick Adams was also the show’s creator and executive producer. Johnny Cash sang the theme song.
Guests in the 76 episodes included Robert Vaughn, Leonard Nimoy, Jack Elam, Michael Ansara, Robert Blake, Agnes Moorehead, Soupy Sales, Tex Ritter, Clu Gulager, Vic Perrin, Victor Buono, Iron Eyes Cody, Lennie Weinrib and Vic Damone.
The show was sponsored by Proctor & Gamble.
Nick Adams was found dead at his house in Beverly Hills in February 1968. Autopsy reports revealed he had enough sedatives and other drugs in his body to cause “instant unconsciousness”. He was just 36.
Johnny had lived for a time with the Kiowa Indians as a youngster, and soldiered with the Third Texas Cavalry Regiment.
