DARCY STARTED IT ALL NEWHALL HONORS COWBOY ACTORS WITH CITY'S WALK OF WESTERN STARS.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - When Jo Anne Darcy learned cowboy heartthrob Lee Horsley was filming a movie in town, she did what any other determined fan would have done.

The councilwoman and former mayor needed to get close enough to the actor, famous for his gunfighter role on the TV show ``Paradise,'' that she could ask him to be part of the city's 1990 Walk of Western Stars celebration.

``I had a friend in the dry-cleaning business, and I convinced him to let me borrow his badge and uniform,'' Darcy said. ``I told the guards at the gate that I had to deliver this suit to Mr. Horsley personally, and no one stopped me.''

During a break in the filming, Darcy approached the actor, apologizing for her deception.

``Oh, was he handsome,'' Darcy said, giggling. ``And he let me make the case for the Walk of Western Stars. He could not have been nicer to me and was a delight to have at the dinner that year.''

Darcy, who founded the Walk of Western Stars in downtown Newhall two decades ago, will be honored this year with a special Lifetime Achievement Award, and her own bronze saddle embedded in the sidewalk.

``I've always loved westerns,'' Darcy said. ``That's how I would spend my 25 cents at the movies on Saturdays, growing up. I loved the thrill of seeing the golden days of the West and enjoyed the fantasy of falling into another life, even if it was only on celluloid.''

The Walk of Western Stars, which honors western actors and actresses who live or have worked in the Santa Clarita Valley, is one of the area's most popular tourist attractions. It is the only public tribute to western actors in Southern California, according to the Western Music Association.

``The Santa Clarita Valley is the cradle of the western motion picture and recording industry,'' said 5th District Supervisor Michael Antonovich. Darcy retired last year as his local representative.

``She really took the Walk under her wing,'' Antonovich said.

Darcy has been a member of the City Council since Santa Clarita became a city in 1987, and expects to retire next year. She has served as mayor four times, most recently stepping down in December, and as the executive director of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.

``The Walk simply wouldn't exist without her,'' said Vicki Black, who worked with Darcy at the chamber. ``She did a lot to bring it about and keep it moving.''

In the first years of the Walk of Western Stars, Darcy worked with a small committee to raise the $1,500 each bronze saddle cost, Black said.

``This was in the days before the gala dinner,'' Black said. ``She's very deserving of the award.''

Darcy's day as a dry cleaner certainly wasn't the first ruse she cooked up to snag a star.

``I've been known to get a good idea every once in a while,'' Darcy said. ``You have to learn to be resourceful.''

In 1987, she dressed up as a flower-delivery person to get to Ben Johnson, who had starred in more than 300 movies, including the classic western ``Wagonmaster,'' after working as a stunt double for John Wayne and other cowboy actors.

``I walked onto the set calling, Flowers, flowers! Flowers for Mr. Johnson! That certainly got his attention, and he agreed to come,'' Darcy said, laughing.

To woo other actors, Darcy sent candy, pestered publicity agents with repeated telephone pleas and nagged friends to introduce her to their famous pals.

``It started out as a tribute,'' Darcy said. ``I thought, well, no one else is honoring these actors, so many of whom lived here. This is where our roots are.''

With the recent deaths of the most famous acting cowboys and cowgirls, such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Gene Autry, many fans of the genre say the western is in danger of being forgotten.

``It is so important that these people be remembered, and their contributions not only to the arts but to the world be recognized,'' said Charlie LeSueur, who wrote a 1999 book ``The Legends Live On'' about the singing cowboys. ``We don't have heroes any more.''

The Walk of Western Stars, and the newer Santa Clarita Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, helps young people learn about the actors and the movies and to remember, LeSueur said.

``These stars are passing on, and it's sad because they represented what is good and right about America,'' LeSueur said.

Darcy said Evans' death in February made her redouble her efforts this year to honor Western actors. This year, Wilford Brimley, Linda Gray and Herb Jeffries will be feted along with Darcy on March 29 at the Hyatt Valencia.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) DARCY