REEL MEMORIES NO. 189

REEL MEMORIES NO. 189

Leonard B. Corbin

by

William V. Reynolds

Leonard B. Corbin and I have something in common. We’re the same age. But where I pursued a

teaching career and later became a writer, Leonard followed his life’s dream of becoming an

actor.

Leonard was born in LaMesa, Texas, the county seat of Dawson County, October 16, 1940. His

mother, Alma LaMerle Scott, was a teacher, and his father Kilmer Blaine Corbin, Sr. was a

school principal, a judge, and a Democratic member of the Texas State Senate for two terms

from 1949 to 1957.

Leonard studied theater arts at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas from which he also

holds a degree. While in college during the early 60s, he appeared in many college productions.

After college, he began his acting career as a Shakespearean actor. But today you’re more likely

to see him as some sort of an authority figure.

Leonard made his screen debut as John Travolta’s uncle in Urban Cowboy (1980). Since then,

many of his films have been Westerns. Leonard’s proficiency in the saddle comes naturally.

Much of his spare time is spent riding horses and tending to cattle on his small ranch near Fort

Worth, Texas. He has volunteered his time to charity rodeos for a number of years.

Much of his acting has been devoted to TV programs. One of his best remembered roles was that

of Roscoe Brown in the Lonesome Dove miniseries (1989). He has also appeared in The

Magnificent Seven TV series as well as Walker, Texas Ranger (he was considered for the role of

C.D. Parker). Leonard has also worked in made for TV movies like, Conagher (1991), Crossfire

Trail (2001), Monte Walsh (2003), and Trail End (2007).

In 2009, Leonard was inducted in the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. A recent

painting of him has been placed in the Museum exhibit. He also won the Buffalo Bill Cody

award for quality family entertainment and the Western Heritage Award from The National

Cowboy Hall of Fame for his performance in Conagher (1991).

Today Leonard lives on his ranch with his daughter, Shannon Ross (born 1965) and his

grandchildren. Leonard found Shannon in 1991 when she was 26 years old. Her birth mother,

with whom Leonard had an affair in the early 1960s, had given her up for adoption without

telling Leonard.

Here’s a reel memories salute to Leonard B. Corbin a.k.a. Barry Corbin and a thank you for his

contribution to the Western genre.

William V. Reynolds is the author of “Murder in the Okefenokee” available at The Curiosity

Shop in Murphy, Shenanigan’s Diner and Pat’s Country Kitchen in McCaysville; Parris

Pharmacy, The Book Nook and Ingles in Blue Ridge; and Book Nook in Blairsville