What History Has Taught Me with Rob Word

Rob Word, Western Filmmaker and Historian

As one of the founding fathers and producer of the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s prestigious Golden Boot Awards (1983-2007), Emmy-nominated writer/producer Rob Word loves the West. His Western credits include: hosting/producing and directing YouTube’s long running interview series A Word on Westerns, which was filmed at the Autry Museum and is now done on location. He is the coauthor of Fridays with Art and 52 Weeks—52 TV Westerns.

I was born in Clearwater, Florida, when it was still a small town, and grew up playing cowboy with neighborhood kids. It was a wonderful place to grow up, friendly and safe.

My parents were the best. Community and church leaders. Dad’s business allowed him to take us on six-week summer vacations; a 1949 Ford pulling an Airstream trailer, instilling in me a love of the outdoors, adventure and Westerns.

My first Western movie memories are of Gary Cooper in High Noon, Alan Ladd in Shane and James Stewart in anything! If Dad saw a Western film location he liked, that’s where we would vacation.

Visiting Monument Valley one summer, we observed John Ford directing The Searchers. Got to meet and have my photo taken with Duke, too. I was eight. Memories don’t get much better, or more influential, than that!

During my first semester at Stetson University, I auditioned for and got the lead in a play. I changed majors from Business to Theater, did many more plays, two seasons of summer stock, shot student films and have been following my dreams ever since.

Before graduation, I applied to the ABC affiliate in Orlando and took a job in news because I got to shoot and edit 16mm film every single day. I learned more about filmmaking in six months than I thought possible.

I hosted late movies in Orlando and Tampa. When celebrities would roll through town, I’d invite them to join me on the show, honing my interview skills. I also hosted a Monday through Friday entertainment radio show and wrote a syndicated newspaper column on movies and TV.

Moving to Los Angeles in late 1978 without a job seemed like good idea. Luck has so much to do with success.

The Golden Boot Awards was an annual charity gala hosted by Pat Buttram benefiting the Motion Picture Hospital. For 25 years we bestowed tributes to Western performers. Everybody came! It was Cowboy Heaven.

My favorite Westerns are The Wild Bunch and The Searchers. Both are impactful classics that I watch repeatedly.

I was SrVP of marketing at Qintex when we made Lonesome Dove. I never went on location but watching the dailies was thrilling. We knew we had a winner!

Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone is still the only Wyatt Earp movie ever filmed in Tombstone. I brought back TV’s Hugh O’Brian, loaded the cast with friends and had Johnny Cash sing the theme song.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Ride takes place annually in Wyoming. Thanks to Marty Kove, I’ve been a member
since 1986.

Riding in the Ben Johnson and Dean Smith Celebrity Rodeos was always exciting. I was honored to be asked.

I always pushed for Westerns at the various film companies I’ve worked. I remember director Robert Wise would see me and say, without provocation, “I’m sorry, Rob. I just don’t like Westerns.”

The Lone Pine Film Festival is unique. You’re able to watch one of the dozens of films shot in the Alabama Hills and then walk among them with the ghosts of Randolph Scott, Audie Murphy, William Boyd, Roy and Gene.

My eclectic career prepared me to produce and host the talk show, A Word on Westerns. It evolved from a monthly lunch with friends into an award-winning weekly YouTube series lasting over 10 years…so far.

Laura, my smart, beautiful and loving wife of 30 years, has taught me that it’s not always about me. Having a son born later in life enabled me to say “no” to many jobs that would have deprived me of spending time with him. Now RJ’s a talented producer, and we often work together.

History Has Taught Me that happiness and friendships can’t be bought. Always follow your dreams. Find a profession that makes you happy and you will succeed.