The groundbreaking series premiered in 1957 and starred Walter Brennan and Richard Crenna

NEED TO KNOW

• The Real McCoys premiered on ABC on Oct. 3, 1957
• It was a sitcom about rural life in America that starred Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna and Kathleen Nolan
• The show ran for six seasons before it ended in 1963

The Real McCoys kept audiences laughing for six seasons.

With a blend of humor and heartfelt moments about a group of West Virginians who relocated to a California farm to start a new life, the sitcom became a staple of early TV comedy. After premiering in 1957 on ABC, it switched to CBS in its final year before concluding in 1963. 

The show stood out for its focus on generational dynamics and rural American values. 

So, what ever happened to the cast of The Real McCoys? Here's where the stars ended up in the decades since the show came to an end.

Walter Brennan as Grandpa Amos McCoy

Walter Brennan played the patriarch of the McCoy family, the tough but lovable Grandpa Amos. 

Already an established actor before the show, Brennan was the first to win three Academy Awards in the Best Supporting Actor category. He appeared in Westerns and family dramas throughout the 1960s and early '70s. 

He was married to Ruth Wells for over five decades, and the pair had three children together. Brennan died in 1974 at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with emphysema.

Richard Crenna as Luke McCoy

Richard Crenna played Luke, the level-headed grandson who always tried to hold the family together. After the show ended, he successfully transitioned to film and more serious television roles, including his iconic turn as Colonel Trautman in the Rambo series. 

In 1985, he won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or A Special for his work in The Rape of Richard Beck.

Crenna was married to Penni Sweeney, and they had three children. He died in 2003 of pancreatic cancer at age 76. 

Kathleen Nolan as Kate McCoy

Kathleen Nolan portrayed Kate McCoy, Luke’s supportive and hardworking wife. After leaving the show, she remained active in television, appearing in series like Gunsmoke and The Big Valley.

Nolan was married to Richard Heckenkamp and had one son, actor Spencer Garrett. The pair ended up divorcing in 1965. In 1975, she became the first female president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Nolan now lives a relatively private life since stepping away from acting. 

Michael Winkelman as Little Luke McCoy

Michael Winkelman played Little Luke, the youngest member of the McCoy family. Following the show, he made appearances on The Munsters and The Joey Bishop Show, but eventually left acting.

He died in 1999 at the age of 53.

Lydia Reed as Hassie McCoy

Lydia Reed played Hassie, Luke and Kate’s teenage daughter. After The Real McCoys, she stepped away from acting entirely. 

She married Mario Travaglini in 1967 and reportedly had one child before choosing a private life away from the entertainment industry. She hasn't made a public appearance in decades.

Tony Martinez as Pepino Garcia

Tony Martinez portrayed Pepino, the McCoys’ farmhand who often served as comic relief. In addition to acting, Martinez was an accomplished musician and had a long career in theater, including a notable role in the Broadway production of Man of La Mancha. 

Martinez never married publicly and did not have known children. He died in 2002 of natural causes at the age of 82.

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