Harry Lauter; Villain in Film, TV Westerns

Harry Lauter, veteran bad guy of movie and television Westerns, has died at age 76.

Lauter, who also owned an art gallery and painted professionally, died of heart failure Oct. 30 at his home in Ojai.

Born in White Plains, N.Y., Lauter grew up in Colorado and Montana, where he learned to ride.

His experience in riding and athletics served him well when he started performing his own stunts as he wreaked villainous havoc for the stars in 1950s film serials. His television series credits included “Wagon Train,” “Rawhide,” “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza” and “Wyatt Earp.”

He is survived by his wife, Doris, and a daughter, Brooke, from a previous marriage.