This website is dedicated to the life, friends and fans of DARBY HINTON
Husband, Father, Producer, Story Teller and Actor
Darby Hinton was born in Santa Monica California August 19th, 1957 to actor Ed Hinton, from Wilmington NC, and his school teacher wife, Marilynn Hinton from Chicago. The Hinton name goes back through early American history even crossing through Daniel Boone's family tree, while Marilynn's parents both immigrated from Germany in their youth.
Darby started his long acting career at the tender age of 6 months old and he hasn't stopped since. His first appearance was on 'Play House 90' followed by commercials and many of the classic TV shows back then. Like, 'Mr. Ed,' 'Wagon Train,' 'Route 66' & The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.
Darby's film career didn't start until he was 4 years old when he was featured in a film called 'Hero's Island'. Working with the likes of Harry Dean Stanton, Rip Torn, Neville Brand. and James Mason. Followed by Disneys 'Son of Flubber.' Just before turning 6, Darby landed the plumb role of playing Fess Parker's son 'Israel Boone' on the hugely popular 'The Daniel Boone Show' which ran for 6 seasons and had a Thursday night viewing audience of 30 million by it's 4th season. The show still has millions of loyal fans and lives on in reruns attracting even more fans today.
After 'Boone' ended, Darby tried to shake the all American image by playing a drug user on, 'The Bold Ones: The New Doctors,' a troubled youth on 'Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law' even a drug dealer on Jack Lord's, 'Hawaii Five-0.' But everybody still loved and knew him as 'Israel'. Darby then decided to take time off and focus on education, since most of his had been on set with a studio teacher. He left Hollywood and graduated High School from, The American School in Switzerland. He then started his College experience completing 3 around the world voyages aboard the SS Universe while attending World Campus Afloat. Where he was able to study theatre, and actors, around the word. From Indonesian Shadow Dance, Noh & Kabuki Theatre, to the classic Greek & Roman Tragedies, all in their place of origin. When his academic voyages ended he went right back to work, with featured roles on, 'Magnum, P.I.,' 'The Fall Guy,' 'Hunter' and 'Mike Hammer' to name a few.
Darby took great pleasure in honing his craft over the years with great acting coaches like, Milton Katsales, Howard Fine, Larry Moss, Corey Allen, and the wonderful Joan Darling, even studying and performing with the acclaimed improv group, 'The Groundlings'
Darby continued his film work as well, from martial arts films in the Philippines to a detective in Malibu that couldn't shoot straight in the cult classic, 'Malibu Express.' He did a number of other features as well, at home and abroad. They took him to places like Russia, Romania, Bulgaria. When he started his family however, he decided to look for more steady work closer to home. He became the Probation Officer on 'Days Of Our Lives,' and eventually became, 'The Salem Rapist', during some of the shows highest ratings. With more kids, came more responsibilities, and not having a real father growing up, (His father was killed in a plane crash when he was 14 months old), Darby wanted to be there for his kids, to help them and watch them grow. But... he still loved acting. So, he started just pursuing commercials and theatre close to home. That lead him to a role based on Charles Doheny for Theatre 40's, 'The Manor.' A play he has stared in for the last 18 years, performing to sold out audiences in the real 1920s Doheny estate, 'Greystone,' in Beverly Hills.
Having spent a life time studying, characters, people, and human nature, to be able to portray the vastly different characters he has over the decades, Darby felt it also important, and fascinating, to study with some of the master teachers in the world of spirituality and human nature. Teachers like Wayne Dyer, Julia Cameron, Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Jack Canfield to name a few and even ended up traveling around as a 'Master Trainer' with Tony Robbins, helping Tony get thousands to walk across hot burning coals.
As soon as the youngest of his 5 children left home to be a ski instructor in New Zealand, Darby started focusing on his acting career again and has since got to portray some memorable historical characters; Like David Burnet, 1st president of Texas in, 'Texas Rising,' George Donner in, 'The Donner Party - Dead of Winter,' and the infamous outlaw, Cole Younger in, 'Bill Tilghman and The Outlaws - AKA - 'The Marshal'
Along with these and other acting roles Darby is also proud to be an advocate for child performers everywhere, having been on the 'SAG-AFTRA Young Performer's Committee,' a long time member of, 'A Minor Consideration'. and since it's very conception in 2003, being on the advisory committee for 'Looking Ahead'. A non profit, through 'The Actors Fund', that helps young performers and their families thrive and avoid pitfalls due to the unique challenges of working in the entertainment industry, with the motto: Grow, Give Back, and Have Fun!!
As much as he loves acting, Darby feels his work with these organizations might be some of his most important work, having lost so many fellow young performers and friends to some of those pitfalls along the way.
Darby has also now written a successful book documenting, with over 500 pictures, his early years in the Business, his love of acting, and mostly what it was like: 'Growing Up Israel'.
During the Covid lock down
I started a Viewing Party with the Darling's and Dudes FaceBook group and at times I was blessed to have been joined by good friends and colleagues that are tied into the shows we watched and celebrated.
This is my latest project to be released in 2024, 'Was Once A Hero'
(Memory Fades Courage Doesn't)
A great little western movie with a lot of heart that I'm proud to be a part of.
You can check out my CALENDAR to see if I'll be in your neck of the woods and on what dates. Hopefully we can see each other in person.
And now, thanks to Ginger's wonderful time and effort, we can take a look back at some of Hannibal's most memorable on screen moments
Animal actor who won critical acclaim for his role as Israel Boon's pet goose on 'The Daniel Boone Show'.
From his first appearance, Season 1 - Episode 2, 'Tekawitha Mcleod' to Season 2 Episode 5, ' The Old Man and The Cave', (or almost to the end of that episode), Hannibal endured many trials and tribulation as he helped the Boone family settle the 'Dark and Bloody Grounds' of Kentucky.
Here is that look back at the bond of a young boy and his goose.
Tucson, Arizona
This is the 1st TV West Fest event and it's shaping up to be a really great one! with a host of wonderful list of celebrities scheduled to a...
Tucson, Arizona
Community Church, 1923 E Main St, Salem, VA
Darby is so looking forward to heading back to 'Happy Trails Virgina Style' to see and play once again with his friends in Salem Virgina for...
Community Church, 1923 E Main St, Salem, VA
Olive Branch, Mississippi Whispering Woods Hotel & Conference Center
T he MidSouth Nostalgia Festival is always a great gathering of Fans, Friends, Collectors, and Celebs. This three day festival is packed fu...
Olive Branch, Mississippi Whispering Woods Hotel & Conference Center
Memory Fades... Courage Doesn't.
A great little western with a lot of action and heart that tells the tale of a Civil War hero suffering from dementia and PTS that must try to keep it together to be the hero once again,
When an iconic Scream Queen (Felissa Rose) loses her ability to scream, she is sent to an isolated retreat in order to recover. While there, others begin dying in the same vein as her movies.
A Hallmark Channel original movie. Weeks before Christmas, Abbey is hired to decorate the estate of businessman Nick. But to do her job well, she must figure out how to break down the wall between her and Nick, all while keeping the holiday spirit alive.
'Bill Tilghman and The Outlaws'
A movie company comes to Oklahoma to convince legendary lawman Bill Tilghman to star in a bank robbery silent film featuring real outlaws. Tilghman reluctantly agrees, not realizing everyone's lives will never be the same.
A film, and developing TV series, portrays life in 1800's Michigan, focusing on a Civil War vet trying to make peace with his losses and start a new life despite the world resisting change around him.
A 10-hour television miniseries based on the Texas Revolution against Mexico and how the Texas Rangers and an independent Texas were born.
is a 2-hour documentary that explores in great detail the Donner Party’s infamous journey to try and settle in the West.
(Airing from 1964 to 1970 for 165 episodes),
Had by it’s’ 4th season a 30 million plus Thursday night viewing audience
according to NBC .
Darby and Ginger talk about this episode and it's message of peace.
Darby and Ginger talk with the legendary Rosey Grier about their friendship over the years and about this this coming of age episode .
Ginger host as Darby and Butch Patrick, (Eddie Munster), talk about growing up in Hollywood as child stars and are joined by Victoria Price who adds what it was like growing up the daughter of, 'The King of horror,'
as they watch the only episode Darby was afraid to film.
Ginger host as Darby and Veronica Cartwright as the two 'Boone' kids talk about the episode, 'The First Beau', that lead to Jemima Boone leaving Boonesborough forever.
Ginger host Darby, (with the help of his Pup's, General Mad Dog Mattis, & Hunter S Thompson), as they watch, 'The Printing Press,' where Benjamin Franklin helps Israel & Daniel Boone out smart the British so Boonesborough can get their much needed supplies.
Darby's buddy, Robert Carradine joins Darby in his backyard for drinks and nibbles as the two view this fun episode that stars Robert's Dad,
John Carradine, as the scary bad guy while Ginger tries to keep them both
on track!
Darby and Ginger talk about this episode that was Hannibal's, (Israel's pet goose on the show), last appearance on the series ending his two season run, along with a number of other topics including an up date of fund raising efforts for Johnny Crawford.
Darby and Ginger talk about this episode during the time of Prince Philip of England's funeral. This 'Daniel Boone' episode also stared a young Morgan Mason that Darby had worked with earlier when Darby appeared in his first movie, (at age 3), 'Hero's Island' that stared Morgan's Dad James Mason
Art Linkletter takes Darby, Clint Howard, H.B. Barnum III, and Maureen McCormic, for a kid's fun tour of Washington DC. From the Treasury to the Smithsonian and The Senate to The White House for a sit down with President Richard Nixon!!
Darby and special guest Tony Gill, share their personal stories, comments and answer questions live via a Zoom webinar in the commercial breaks between the screening of the WAGON TRAIN episode 'The Ben Engel Story'
I get Interviewed by the very lovely Ann-Marie Murrell and then we are joined by the always feisty Kathy Garver. Watch as I try to work my way into a role in the upcoming film, 🎥 'Grace'
This is a wonderful little collection of clips that the 'Reel Cowboys' put together for me to show at the awards banquet before they called me up to present me with my 'Silver Spur Award'
Watch as I explore the life and visit the actual places the 'real' Daniel Boone explored.
Love this interview❣️ I'm not even sure why, or for who, I did this interview. (I probably just wanted a good excuse to talk to 'The Griz' who I had worked with in the 70s but didn't connect with back then). I do know this was the first time I really sat down and talked to the big guy and it started a wonderful, and very fun, relationship that lasted until the day Dan died
Getting interviewed at a fundraiser for the LA Zoo.
I 'photo bombed' my buddy Bobby Carradine while he was being interviewed at the premiere of our movie in Maryland.
Bitter sweet feeling when I watch this video. I had such fun with my two amigos at Malabar! We even had a great time with the interviewer for this clip when at first he mixed me and Johnny up and started asking me what it was like to be on 'The Rifleman'🤣 At the same time it was also Dan's last interview and I'm pretty sure Johnny wouldn't remember it now 😔
For those that don't like to read - here is an audio breakdown of - actually my life.