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From Yosemite Sam to The Man With No Name: meet 10 legendary TV cowboys
Published on June 12, 2025
Credit: Lee Pigott
Chances are, you once played cowboy when you were a kid. Did you, like us, ride around your house on your trusty stallion—a broomstick or a horse-shaped stick? Did you don any hat you could find and pretend you were the toughest, bravest sheriff around? Cowboys have been an integral part of many of our childhoods, providing countless hours of joy and laughter. That said, cowboys are also fascinating characters in their own right, and they’ve been splendidly portrayed in many films and shows aimed at more mature audiences. In any case, we've decided to pay tribute to 10 of the most iconic cowboys, gunslingers, and outlaws with this article. All that’s left to say is: we hope you enjoy it, partner!
The Lone Ranger
Credit: Taylor Brandon
Let’s start with one of the oldest fictional cowboys in history. In 1933, listeners of Detroit’s WXYZ radio station were treated to the first appearance of the Lone Ranger—a charismatic and brave cowboy who fights for justice in the American Wild West. Originally known as John Reid, the Ranger was saved from the brink of death by his trusted companion Tonto, who aids him in his quest to find the criminal responsible for his brother’s death.
Over 90 years have passed since that first radio episode, and the Lone Ranger has appeared in countless shows, films, and comic books. Although his story has evolved over the years, every version of the Ranger portrays him as an expert marksman, fighter, and rider.
Woody - Toy Story
Credit: William Warby
Like we mentioned before, cowboys can be a kid’s best friend. In that sense, the 1995 animated classic Toy Story introduced the world to one of the friendliest and most lovable cowboys in history: Woody, the toy sheriff, wonderfully voiced by Tom Hanks.
Toy Story tells the story of Woody, the favorite toy of a boy named Andy, who suddenly finds himself displaced by a new toy: a plastic astronaut named Buzz Lightyear. Throughout the film, Woody not only showcases a cowboy’s bravery when he ventures into the outside world to rescue his rival, but he also proves himself to be a loyal and caring friend to both Andy and Buzz.
The Man with No Name
Credit: Luis Domenech
Cowboys have an air of mystery that follows them wherever they go. It’s not unusual to see a film cowboy wandering the Wild West, drifting from town to town and helping those in need. In that regard, Clint Eastwood’s performance as the mysterious "Man with No Name" is one of the most outstanding examples of this trope.
While the character first appeared in Sergio Leone’s 1964 film A Fistful of Dollars, critics and fans alike believe that his best portrayal comes from the 1966 classic The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Here, Eastwood’s iconic cowboy not only demonstrates his skill and composure but also reveals a personal sense of morality and justice.
Ethan Edwards - The Searchers
Credit: Tobias Keller
It should come as no surprise that Hollywood legend John Wayne appears on this list more than once. After all, his extensive filmography helped build the Western genre into the beloved American staple it is today. In that sense, many believe that Wayne’s finest performance (and that’s saying something) comes from the 1956 classic The Searchers, still considered one of the greatest films in cinematic history.
In this film, "The Duke" plays Ethan Edwards, a former Civil War soldier who embarks on a years-long quest to rescue his kidnapped niece. This role definitively cemented Wayne as the go-to actor for Westerns. Ethan is portrayed as a strong, determined character, flawed but unwavering in his mission.
Rooster Cogburn - True Grit
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The Western genre is known for tales of revenge, but True Grit proves that justice isn’t reserved only for strong, stoic gunslingers. This legendary 1969 film tells the story of Mattie Ross, a determined young girl whose father is murdered by the outlaw Tom Chaney. Driven by her desire for justice, Mattie hires U.S. Marshal "Rooster" Cogburn, played by none other than John Wayne himself.
What’s perhaps most compelling about this film is how it subverts the traditional roles found in classic Westerns: Mattie is no damsel in distress, and even outlaw Lucky Ned Pepper, portrayed by Robert Duvall, is intelligent and articulate. Wayne’s Oscar-winning portrayal of the aging, hard-drinking Cogburn proves that heroes can come in all shapes and forms.
Lucky Luke
Credit: Markus Spiske
Lucky Luke is the only comic book cowboy on this list, but that doesn’t make him any less brave than his film and TV counterparts. This laid-back and easygoing cowboy might seem like an easy target, but evildoers beware: he’s as dangerous as he is good-hearted.
Created by Belgian artist Morris, Luke’s adventures are both a love letter to and a parody of the Western genre. From his astounding shooting skills—so fast he can outdraw his own shadow—to his cast of colorful villains, Lucky Luke’s comics are guaranteed to make you laugh.
The Lady - The Quick and the Dead
Credit: Taylor Brandon
Sam Raimi’s 1995 film The Quick and the Dead proves that gunslingers aren’t always men. Portrayed by Sharon Stone, "The Lady" is the unnamed and deadly protagonist of this Western. Her backstory might sound familiar: she’s a gunslinger hellbent on avenging the death of her father at the hands of a powerful and notorious outlaw.
What’s interesting about this film is that it introduces a competitive twist to the genre. In order to confront and kill John Herod (played by Gene Hackman), "The Lady" must enter a high-stakes shooting tournament, where she faces several dangerous and skilled marksmen.
Yosemite Sam
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Here comes one of Bugs Bunny’s most dangerous—and funniest—nemeses. Like Lucky Luke, Yosemite Sam is definitely a parody of cowboy culture: from his humongous hat, baffling facial hair, and gunslinging ways, this cartoon character has given us countless priceless moments in front of the TV screen.
Yosemite Sam’s name comes straight from one of America’s most treasured natural wonders: Yosemite National Park, located in California. In all of his Looney Tunes appearances, he is portrayed as greedy, short-tempered, and full of hatred for a certain wisecracking rabbit.
Harmonica - Once Upon a Time in the West
Credit: Blind Rhino Media
We’ve already seen that cowboys don’t always need a name—case in point: this iconic gunslinger is known simply by his favorite musical instrument. The 1968 Spaghetti Western Once Upon a Time in the West introduced the world to Charles Bronson’s "Harmonica," a stoic gunslinger determined to avenge the death of his older brother at the hands of a ruthless outlaw portrayed by Henry Fonda.
We won’t spoil the reason behind Harmonica’s nickname—after all, a cowboy’s name isn’t what truly matters. This fast-paced and unforgettable Western should definitely be on your must-watch list.
Django
Credit: Gerhard Lipold
We’ll end this article with the only entry that refers to two entirely different characters, but we couldn’t mention one without including the other. The gunslinger known as Django is truly a Wild West legend. First portrayed by Franco Nero in the 1966 film Django, this tough and brave cowboy travels through various frontier towns, dispensing his own brand of justice.
In 2012, 46 years after the original, Quentin Tarantino directed his own take on the iconic character in Django Unchained. This time, Django—portrayed by Jamie Foxx—is a former slave determined to rescue the woman he loves. Tarantino’s admiration for the Django legacy shines through in the film; in one memorable scene, both Nero’s and Foxx’s versions of Django appear together in a symbolic greeting.
