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Many Westerns were based on real-life figures; Certain historical figures were explored in several Westerns. Some names aren't particularly associated with the genre but were also tackled in Westerns.

The Western genre is a staple of American fiction, with countless films and television series made in the immensely popular style, many of which tackle real-life figures. While some names instantly spring to mind when considering the best Westerns ever made John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Steve McQueen the 20th century saw so many productions that a number have now mostly been forgotten.

While some Westerns were entirely fictitious, there were a few that centered on real-life figures. Prominent historical players such as Butch Cassidy, Jesse James, and Billy the Kid have frequently inspired well-known features, but several lesser-known Westerns have also been made about other, more niche, characters from real life. Additionally, some figures aren't particularly associated with the genre...

Peter Hansen, who for decades played General Hospital legal eagle Lee Baldwin, died on Sunday at age 95.

Prior to his esteemed Gh run (where in 1965 he replaced Ross Elliott as the eventual adoptive father to Scott and husband of Gail), Hansen appeared on such series as The Lone Ranger, The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Sea Hunt and Gomer Pyle: Usmc. His TV credits also include How the West Was Won, Coach, Golden Girls and the Gh spinoff Port Charles.

For his work as Gh‘s Lee, a recovering alcoholic and onetime Port Charles mayor, Hansen earned two Daytime Emmy nominations,...

Eugenia Paul, a dancer turned actress who appeared on "Zorro" and many other TV shows of the 1950s, died May 24 at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. She was 75.

Paul also appeared in such TV westerns as "The Adventures of Jim Bowie," "The Lone Ranger" and "Death Valley Days" and had small roles in such films as "The Ten Commandments" (1956), "The Disembodied" (1957) and "Gunfighters of Abilene" (1960), her last credited appearance.

A native of Dearborn, Mich., Paul moved to Los Angeles at age 16 while on tour with the predecessor of the American Ballet Theatre. She was discovered by Warner Bros. and signed as a dancer. Later, Paul signed with Fox.

At a party at the Hollywood Bowl in the mid-'50s, Paul met Robert Strauss, heir to the Pep Boys auto stores chain. She married him, moved to Florida and became an active philanthropist and ardent supporter of the arts and animal welfare.