I had the chance to photograph the very hunky (and I am a straight dude using the word "hunky") actor Hugh O'Brian twice at his home in Los Angeles, CA. Hugh passed away today at the age of 91. I photographed him once through a friend and colleague, Julie Walke, and for "Cowboys and Indians Magazine."
Hugh told me that he created the military Marines word "Hoorah." Hugh fought in WWII and was a drill instructor. And when his men were out relieving themselves and could not be seen by the troop they were to use the word "Hoorah" to let the others know where they were.
Here are a few of the portraits I took of Hugh O'Brian. I love the photo of him with the cowboy hat and skull as he had a strong sense of pride and confidence in who he was. I think that his aged skin and the white skull texture play off of each other well as it adds to his toughness as he neared the end of his life. He was most well known for his role as TV star Wyatt Earp and was in many movies.
