Dale Robertson (born Dayle Lamoine Robertson on July 14, 1923, in Harrah, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County near Oklahoma City) is an American actor. Robertson started his career in the late 1940s while he was in the U.S. Army. While stationed at San Luis Obispo, California, Robertson went to Amos Carr Studio to have a picture taken for his mother. A copy of the photo displayed in the shop window attracted movie agents. When Robertson left for Hollywood, the actor Will Rogers, Jr., the son of the Oklahoma legend, gave him this advice: "Don't ever take a dramatic lesson. They will try to put your voice in a dinner jacket, and people like their hominy and grits in everyday clothes." Robertson therefore avoided formal acting lessons.

For most of his career, he played in Western movies and TV shows. His two best-remembered series were the westerns Tales of Wells Fargo, in which he played a roving 'trouble-shooter' named "Jim Hardie" for that company, and The Iron Horse, in which he won an incomplete railroad line in a poker game and took up the challenge of running it.

In its March 30, 1959, cover story on TV westerns, Time magazine reported that Robertson stood 6 feet tall, weighed 180 pounds, and had measurements of 42-34-34. Robertson sometimes made use of his physique in "beefcake" scenes such as the one in 1952's Return of the Texan when he's seen bare-chested and sweaty, repairing a fence.

In 1981 he was part of the original starring cast of ABC's popular Dynasty, playing Walter Lankershim, a character who disappeared after the first season. In 1985 it was revealed in the storyline that the character had died offscreen.

Robertson was also one of the hosts of the syndicated Death Valley Days during the 1960s. He is well known rodeo speaker, having appeared at such events as the Pike's Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs. He received the Golden Boot Award in 1985, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is also in the Hall of Great Western Performers. He is an inductee in the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. He is retired on a ranch near Oklahoma City.

Dale Robertson, the actor who made his name in television Westerns in the 1950s and '60s, was born on July 14, 1923, in Harrah, Oklahoma. After serving in a tank crew and in the combat engineers in North Africa and Europe during World War II, the twice-wounded Robertson started his acting career while still on active duty in the U.S. Army. While stationed at San Luis Obispo, California, had a photograph taken for his mother. A copy of the photo displayed in the photo shop window attracted movie scouts, and the six foot tall, 180-lb. Roberson soon was on his way to Hollywood. Will Rogers Jr., whose father is the most famous son of Oklahoma, told him to avoid formal training and keep his own persona "Don't ever take a dramatic lesson," Rogers told him. "They will try to put your voice in a dinner jacket, and people like their hominy and grits in everyday clothes." Robertson took his advice and avoided acting classes. Robertson was typecast in Western movies and TV shows when the genre was still America's favorite. He headlined two TV series, "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957), in which he played the roving trouble-shooter Jim Hardie, and "Iron Horse, The" (1966), in which he won a railway in a poker game. He also served as one of the hosts, along with Ronald Reagan (I), of the syndicated series "Death Valley Days" (1952) during the 1960s. Robertson later appeared in the inaugural season of "Dynasty" (1981). Robertson is a recipient of the Golden Boot Award in 1985, and was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers and the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. He is retired on a ranch near Oklahoma City, not far from his birthplace of Harrah.