Jack Buetel

Jack Buetel (September 5, 1915 – June 27, 1989) was an American actor renowned for his roles in film and television. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Buetel ventured to Los Angeles in the late 1930s, aspiring to make his mark in the film industry. Initially working as an insurance clerk, his striking appearance caught the attention of an agent who introduced him to the legendary filmmaker Howard Hughes.

Buetel landed his most significant role as Billy the Kid in Hughes' controversial film, *The Outlaw*. Alongside rising star Jane Russell, Buetel's performance marked a bold departure from traditional filmmaking, as the film hinted at sexual themes and defied the era's strict Production Code. Though the film premiered in 1943, it gained notoriety in 1946, largely overshadowed by Russell's burgeoning star power. Unfortunately, Buetel faced harsh criticism for his acting, and Hughes's tight control over his career stifled his opportunities, notably preventing him from appearing in Howard Hawks' *Red River* (1948).

After an eleven-year hiatus, Buetel returned to the silver screen in *Best of the Badmen* (1951) and appeared in several other films, along with sporadic television roles. In 1956, he took on the character of Jeff Taggert in the western series *Judge Roy Bean*, which ran for 39 episodes. His career concluded with a guest appearance on *Wagon Train* in 1961, followed by a cameo in the 1982 television special *Night of 100 Stars*. Buetel passed away in Portland, Oregon, and rests at Portland Memorial Park.