Arthur Gardner (producer)

Arthur Gardner (born Arthur Goldberg; June 7, 1910 – December 19, 2014) was an American actor and film producer. He was known for his television western, The Rifleman. He was a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Gardner was born Arthur Goldberg in Marinette, Wisconsin. He started his show business career as an actor when he was 18 years old. In 1929 he arrived in Hollywood, where Carl Laemmle employed him as an extra for the film studio Universal. One of his first roles was as a student in 1930's All Quiet on the Western Front. He was the last surviving member of the cast and crew. Gardner and Luise Rainer were in 1938's Dramatic School, and, up until his death two weeks before Rainer, were the last two surviving members, both at the age of 104.

During World War II, Gardner served in the Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California, where he met Jules V. Levy and Arnold Laven. The three formed the Levy-Gardner-Laven production company in 1951. Gardner's producing credits include the television series The Rifleman (1958–1963) and The Big Valley (1965–1969). His feature film credits include 1974's McQ and 1975's Brannigan, both starring John Wayne.

Gardner lived in Beverly Hills, California from 1963 until his death there on December 19, 2014 at the age of 104. His son Steve Gardner is also an actor.