Robert Horton was best known for playing Flint McCullough on the classic Western series Wagon Train. His personal life also included a long marriage to singer and actress Marilynn Bradley, whom he married in 1960. They remained together until his death in 2016, making their relationship the longest of his three marriages.
Who Was Robert Horton Married To?
Robert Horton was married three times during his life. His first two marriages ended in divorce, while his third marriage to Marilynn Bradley lasted for more than five decades.
His three wives were
- Mary Catherine Jobe, whom he married in the 1940s
- Barbara Ruick, an actress whom he married in 1953
- Marilynn Bradley, whom he married on December 31, 1960
The available biographical sources consistently identify Bradley as his final wife and the woman who remained with him until his death.
Marilynn Bradley: His Longtime Wife
Her Career Before Marriage
Marilynn Bradley had a performing career of her own before becoming closely associated with Horton. She was born and raised in Boston and studied opera at the New England Conservatory of Music. She later performed in concerts and appeared on Broadway in productions including Pipe Dreams, Ankles Away, Plain and Fancy, and Happy Hunting.
Her background in music and theater made her a natural professional partner for Horton, who was also an experienced singer and stage performer.
Related article you might like: Marsau Scott Wife: Marriage, Family & Love Story & Corey Reynolds Wife: The Story Behind His Marriage
How Robert Horton and Marilynn Bradley Met
The couple met while appearing in a production of Guys and Dolls. Bradley was performing the female lead, while Horton was involved in the production during a break from filming Wagon Train. Their relationship eventually led to marriage.
They married on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1960. Their marriage later became both a personal and professional partnership.
Their Marriage and Life Together
Horton’s marriage to Bradley lasted from 1960 until his death in 2016. During those years, the pair also worked together in musical theater and other stage productions.
Their joint work included productions such as Brigadoon, Show Boat, Carousel, 1776, Kismet, Man of La Mancha, The Odd Couple, and Same Time Next Year. Bradley’s professional background allowed the couple to continue performing together long after their marriage began.
Their relationship therefore went beyond a celebrity marriage. They became regular professional partners as well, combining their experience in music and theater.
Related article you might like: Dale Davis Wife: Marriage and Family Facts Revealed
Why Marilynn Supported His Decision About Wagon Train
One of the more revealing stories about their relationship concerns Horton’s decision about his future on Wagon Train.
In a later account published by MeTV, Horton recalled asking Bradley what she thought about him leaving the series. She supported the idea, even though the television program offered financial security. Horton interpreted her response as evidence that she cared about his long-term happiness and career ambitions rather than simply the income that came with the show.
The decision was significant because Horton was already established as Flint McCullough, the scout he played on Wagon Train from 1957 to 1962. After leaving the series, he continued pursuing other acting and musical-theater opportunities.
Did Robert Horton and Marilynn Bradley Have Children?
Available biographical information indicates that Robert Horton and Marilynn Bradley did not have children. Legacy’s obituary states that the couple had no children and identifies Bradley as his surviving wife of more than 55 years.
There is no reliable evidence in the sources reviewed that establishes children from his earlier marriages either. For that reason, claims about additional children should not be treated as confirmed without stronger documentation.
Robert Horton’s First Two Marriages
Before marrying Bradley, Horton had two earlier marriages.
Mary Catherine Jobe
Biographical records identify Mary Catherine Jobe as Horton’s first wife. Sources differ slightly on the exact starting year of this marriage, but records place the marriage in the 1940s and its end around 1950. The marriage ended in divorce.
Because the available sources are not completely consistent about the first marriage date, it is safer to focus on the broader timeline rather than present one disputed date as definitive.
Barbara Ruick
Horton’s second wife was Barbara Ruick, an actress. The couple married in 1953, and their marriage ended in divorce in 1956.
Ruick was also an established performer, meaning Horton had relationships with women who were connected to the entertainment industry throughout his early and middle adult years.
Robert Horton and His Career
Although his marriage is the main focus here, understanding Horton’s career helps explain why his partnership with Bradley became important.
He was born Meade Howard Horton Jr. in Los Angeles on July 29, 1924. His professional career included film, television, musical theater, and singing. His breakthrough television role came with Wagon Train, where he played Flint McCullough from 1957 to 1962.
After leaving Wagon Train, he moved further into musical theater. He originated the role of Starbuck in the Broadway musical 110 in the Shade in 1963. He also appeared in films and television programs including A Man Called Shenandoah, The Green Slime, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Police Woman, As the World Turns, and Murder, She Wrote.
His career helps explain the unusual combination of television Western fame and stage work that defined much of his professional life.
The Couple’s Professional Partnership
Marilynn Bradley was not simply known as Horton’s wife. She had her own background in music and theater and later appeared with him in numerous productions.
Their shared stage work became an important part of their life together. Horton himself described the familiarity between them as an advantage when performing as a husband-and-wife team. MeTV also reported that the pair continued working together after their marriage.
This professional connection gives their relationship a different dimension from a marriage known only through a celebrity’s public profile.
How Long Were Robert Horton and Marilynn Bradley Married?
Robert Horton and Marilynn Bradley were married for more than 55 years, from December 31, 1960, until his death on March 9, 2016. He was 91.
Their marriage was substantially longer than either of Horton’s first two marriages. Bradley was the spouse who remained with him during the later decades of his career and life.
When Did Robert Horton Die?
Robert Horton died on March 9, 2016, in Los Angeles at the age of 91. His death marked the end of a career that had stretched across television Westerns, films, Broadway, and other stage productions.
Marilynn Bradley survived him. Contemporary and biographical accounts identify her as his wife at the time of his death.
Robert Horton Family and Personal Life
Horton’s public biography is much more detailed about his professional career than his private family life. Reliable sources focus primarily on his marriages, his career, flying, and his theater work rather than providing extensive details about his private household.
What is well documented is that Bradley remained his partner for more than five decades and worked alongside him in theater. The couple did not have children, according to Legacy’s obituary.
Summary
Robert Horton was married three times, but his longest and final marriage was to Marilynn Bradley, whom he married on December 31, 1960. Bradley was an accomplished singer and actress who later performed with Horton in numerous stage productions. Their marriage lasted more than 55 years, until his death in 2016.
Horton was best known for Wagon Train, but his career also included Broadway, film, television, and musical theater. His relationship with Bradley became both a personal and professional partnership, and available biographical records state that they had no children.
FAQs
Who was Robert Horton’s wife?
His final wife was Marilynn Bradley. They married on December 31, 1960, and remained together until his death in 2016.
How many times was Robert Horton married?
Robert Horton was married three times. His wives were Mary Catherine Jobe, Barbara Ruick, and Marilynn Bradley.
Did Robert Horton and Marilynn Bradley have children?
No. Legacy’s obituary states that Horton and Bradley had no children.
What did Marilynn Bradley do?
Bradley was a singer and actress with experience in opera, concerts, Broadway, and musical theater. She later performed in many productions alongside her husband.
When did Robert Horton and Marilynn Bradley get married?
They married on December 31, 1960, and their marriage continued until Horton’s death on March 9, 2016.
