Ed Ames, a cherished performer who was most known for his appearances in the long-running and critically acclaimed television series “Daniel Boone” and for his time spent as a member of the Ames Brothers singing quartet, passed away peacefully in his home in Los Angeles at the age of 95. Ed Ames was the ninth and final child, born on July 9, 1927 in Malden, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of nine kids. His musical career got off to a flying start when he and his brothers recorded a version of “Rag Mop” in 1950 and enjoyed a great deal of success with it. This was followed by Ed’s solo success with songs like “Who Will Answer?,” “My Cup Runneth Over,” and “Try to Remember.”
After making the switch to acting, Ed Ames shown his skills both on and off the Broadway stage. He appeared in shows such as “The Crucible,” “The Fantasticks,” and the Broadway success “Carnival!” alongside well-known performers such as Kirk Douglas, Gene Wilder, and William Daniels, and produced outstanding performances in those productions. In the Fess Parker Western series “Daniel Boone,” which Ames starred in, he played the role of Mingo, a Cherokee Indian character who had a British father. This performance demonstrated Ames’s flexibility as an actor.
Ed Ames’s talents as a tomahawk thrower became a distinguishing trait, and during his visit on “The Tonight Show” in 1965, he enthralled the crowd with a remarkable performance for host Johnny Carson. Ames appeared on the show. This impromptu exchange resulted in a moment of laughter that lasted for an incredible four minutes, making it one of the longest laughs ever recorded in the history of television. Ames’s accurate throw prompted Carson’s playful quip, “I didn’t even know you were Jewish!” followed by the humorous remark, “Welcome to Frontier Bris.” This moment of laughter was one of the longest laughs ever recorded in television history.
In the course of his career, Ed Ames appeared as a guest on a number of different television series, such as “The Rifleman,” “McCloud,” “Murder She Wrote,” “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show,” and “Jake and the Fatman,” demonstrating his acting skill and flexibility.
Ed Ames was extremely devoted to his family in addition to having a flourishing professional life. His wife Jeanne, their two children Ronald and Sonya, seven grandsons, five great-grandchildren, and stepson Stephen Saviano are among those who are left behind after his passing. Regrettably, Marcella, his daughter, went away before her father.
His admirers and colleagues in the entertainment business will always be grateful for the extraordinary skill, affable nature, and unforgettable performances that Ed Ames brought to the world. Many people’s hearts will forever be changed as a result of his efforts to the acting, singing, and television industries.
