The Fugitive (1963)
A wrongly convicted doctor races across America to find the real killer while staying one step ahead of the law.
The Fugitive - Series Information
- Original Title: The Fugitive
- First Air Year: 1963
- Last Air Year: 1967
- Created by: Roy Huggins
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (56 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 120
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 17, 1963 (United States - TV-PG), September 17, 1963 (France - 12), September 17, 1963 (Brazil - 14)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: O Fugitivo (BR)
- Production Companies: United Artists Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Fugitive - Plot
Richard Kimble is falsely convicted of his wife's murder and given the death penalty. En route to death row, Kimble's train derails and crashes, allowing him to escape and begin a cross-country search for the real killer, a "one-armed man". At the same time, Dr. Kimble is hounded by the authorities, most notably dogged by Police Lieutenant Philip Gerard.
The Fugitive - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of the relentless chase at the heart of this classic series.
He has lost everything but hope.
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The Fugitive - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Roy Huggins
Main Cast
- David Janssen
- Barry Morse
- William Conrad
- Paul Birch
- Bill Raisch
- Bing Russell
- Richard Anderson
- Dabbs Greer
- Don Ross
- Val Avery
Writers
- George Eckstein
- Harry Kronman
- Daniel B. Ullman
- Philip Saltzman
- John Kneubuhl
The Fugitive - FAQs
Where can you stream The Fugitive 1963 series?
The Fugitive (1963) is available to stream on Tubi TV with ads at no cost. Tubi offers a large selection of classic television, and The Fugitive's full run can be accessed there. Availability may vary by region, so checking JustWatch for up-to-date options in your area is recommended.
Did The Fugitive finale break television viewership records?
Yes. The two-part series finale, "The Judgment," which aired on August 29, 1967, drew an estimated 72 million viewers — making it the most-watched television episode in U.S. history at the time. That record stood for over a decade until the Dallas "Who Shot J.R.?" episode surpassed it in 1980.
Is The Fugitive based on a true story?
Creator Roy Huggins denied it, but many believe the series was inspired by the real-life case of Dr. Sam Sheppard, an Ohio physician convicted of murdering his wife in 1954. Sheppard maintained his innocence and claimed an intruder was responsible, a story that drew widespread national attention.
Who are the main actors in The Fugitive?
David Janssen stars as the wrongly accused Dr. Richard Kimble, with Barry Morse as the relentless Lieutenant Philip Gerard. William Conrad served as the show's narrator. Supporting cast includes Bill Raisch as the one-armed man Fred Johnson, Richard Anderson, Dabbs Greer, and Val Avery.
How many seasons and episodes does The Fugitive have?
The Fugitive ran for four seasons on ABC, comprising 120 episodes in total. Each season contained 30 episodes. The series aired from September 17, 1963, through August 29, 1967, concluding with a landmark two-part finale that resolved the central mystery of the one-armed man.
What is The Fugitive 1963 series about?
Dr. Richard Kimble is wrongly convicted of his wife's murder and sentenced to death. After a train derailment allows him to escape, he embarks on a cross-country search for the real killer — a one-armed man — while being relentlessly pursued by determined Police Lieutenant Philip Gerard.
Did The Fugitive win any major television awards?
Yes. The Fugitive earned significant recognition during its run. David Janssen received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a TV Drama Series. The show was also nominated for Emmy Awards and is widely regarded as one of the most influential and critically acclaimed dramas of 1960s American television.
What is the content rating for The Fugitive?
The Fugitive carries a TV-PG content rating in the United States, making it suitable for general audiences with parental guidance suggested for younger viewers. The series contains mild action, suspense, and dramatic tension consistent with network television standards of the 1960s.
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