Ed Ames (1927-2023)

 This hurts.

Many of us grew up with Ed Ames as the cerebral, Oxford-educated Cherokee, Mingo, on Daniel Boone, during its first four seasons (1964-8). After the breakup of the Ames Brothers, Ed turned to acting, starring on Broadway before 20th Century Fox signed him for Boone. After leaving Boone, Ames returned to music, and made the rounds. We've seen clips of him on The Johnny Cash Show, for example.

Sadly, Ed Ames passed away on Sunday, May 21, at 95, two months shy of his 96th birthday.

At one point, Ames owned a share of the NBA's Phoenix Suns. Aside from Boone and his singing career, Ames is also remembered for one of the most infamous sketches on The Tonight Show during the Johnny Carson era. Asked to demonstrate his ability with a tomahawk, Ames accidentally hit the illustrated cowboy in the groin, leading to four minutes of laughs from the audience, recorded as one of the longest sustained laughs in television history.

We're going back to 1955 and The Ed Sullivan Show for the Ames Brothers performing "On Moonlight Bay":

Ed was a frequent musical guest as a soloist during the 60's, in addition to the Ames Brothers' frequent visits in the 50's.

Rest in peace, Ed.