David Crockett was a man of legend even in his lifetime. Other than President Andrew Jackson, Crockett was the most famous American of his day.
A self-made man, he had risen from humble beginnings to become a soldier, justice of the peace, member of the Tennessee legislature and even a United States Congressman. Books and plays were written about him even before his death at the Alamo. His legend continued to grow in the years following his death.
In 1955, Walt Disney used the new medium of television to broadcast a series of one-hour television programs about his life. These productions proved so popular that Disney edited them to make two full length motion pictures, “Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier” and “David Crockett and the River Pirates.” Fess Parker, the actor chosen to play David Crockett, brought “Davy” to life for an entire generation of children around the world.
Made in 1968 by sculptor Mike Makras, this artifact is a bronze bust of Fess Parker as Davy Crockett. It was personally donated to the Alamo in 2004 by Fess Parker.
For many people who grew up watching Disney on their television set, Fess Parker is David Crockett.
