The series, which premiered in 1957, brought rural family life to American television
Published on May 31, 2025 07:00AM EDT
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
The Real McCoys was a groundbreaking American sitcom on ABC that followed a group of West Virginians who relocated to a California farm to start a new life.
With a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, the series became a staple of early TV comedy. It aired for six seasons, switching to CBS in its final year before concluding in 1963.
The show stood out for its focus on generational dynamics and rural American values, earning strong ratings from viewers.
Today, the show’s cast members have taken different paths – some remained active in Hollywood, others stepped away, and a few became icons of their era.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty (2)
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 for acting. 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 passed away in 1974 at the age of 80, remembered as one of the most respected character actors in Hollywood.
CBS via Getty; Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
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 passed away in 2003 at age 76.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Taylor Hill/Getty
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.
The 91-year-old now lives a relatively private life since stepping away from acting.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
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 passed away in 1999 at the age of 53.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
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. The 80-year-old has made no public appearances in recent decades.
CBS via Getty
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 at the age of 82.
