I found the following article from 1961 that somewhat answers your question, troyens:
There are only six bullets in a Western revolver, and Hugh O'Brian figures six years is about the limit for a successful television horse opera. After completing his tenure in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp this February, the actor said, "It's time for me to get off the horse while the getting's good. I'll miss Wyatt. I'm grateful for all he's done for me. And I hope I did him justice, too."
Playing the famed Western lawman for a half-dozen years has made the square-jawed actor one of the wealthiest young men in Hollywood. Thanks to the popularity of the series Hugh has had the wherewithal to invest wisely, establish himself as an actor, and corral a million dollars in assets. He owns extensive acreage in California, Florida and Nevada. He is part owner of the Whispering Waters Hotel in Palm Springs, holds large interests in four bowling alleys, and is up to his six gun in stocks and bonds. He also owns his home free and clear.
"Earp left me a hell of a legacy." Hugh grinned. "We had wonderful ratings from the beginning because we were the first adult Western series on the air. Now we're making a hit in other countries. "I'll be getting money from reruns in this country, in addition to first showings in England, Australia, Germany and South America. "But I'm glad the show is over. It's important lo leave when you're winning. And our last five shows will take us out in a blaze of gory glory."
O'Brian and company have planned one of TV's most unusual finales. The final five segments will be a five-part serial based on the battle of the 0. K. Corral. It seems the most logical place to end the series. "Arguably, that was the most dramatic moment in Earp's life, and was the last great gun battle of the gun fighter period," he explained. The actual battle itself was filmed in slow motion--another first. "The fight is so fast that it would be just a blur at normal speed. But in slow motion we demonstrate exactly how these men faced each other. We show the individual shots fired, why some of the bullets went astray and what happened when they hit their marks."
O'Brian acknowledges there are many more tales to be told about the legendary lawman. "He lived a long, colorful life, so we don't leave the characters neatly in a static place," the actor commented. "But those stories are for future writers to tell." The five-parter begins Tuesday, May 30, on ABC, and concludes June 27.
With the series behind him, O'Brian is looking forward to making movies, appearing in guest shots on other TV shows, and invading the Broadway stage. He was much cheered by favorable reviews for his recent appearance in "The Play of the Week" in which tough New York critics praised his performance. "I first started in the theater,' Hugh said, "and I'd like very much to go back to it." If he doesn't get the opportunity, Hugh can always buy a theater and put on his own shows- all thanks to to good old Wyatt Earp.
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