Biography

X Brands was born on July 24, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. He was an actor, known for Yancy Derringer (1958), The Virginian (1962) and Laredo (1965). He was married to Pamela McInnes, Suzan Harriet Edwards and Jean Dorothy Merriam. He died on May 8, 2000 in Northridge, California, USA.

Brands' unusual first name comes from his family's history. In the small town in Germany, where his ancestors had lived, there were two men named Jan Brands. One of them added the middle initial "X" to distinguish himself. He became known as "X" Brands, and the name was continued with his descendants in America. The family tradition was that no one could use the initial until the previous "X" had died.

Sturdy-looking character actor who was best known for his part as "Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah" ("Wolf who stands in water") on the Yancy Derringer (1958) series in the late 1950s. He often portrayed Indians on film and TV, although he was not one in real life.

Brands' portrayals of American Indians earned praise for their authenticity. Brummett Echohawk, a spokesman for the Pawnee Indians, wrote a letter to Hollywood producers in which he commended Brands for his authentic performance and his ability at speaking the tribe's language.

[on Jock Mahoney, with whom he co-starred in Yancy Derringer (1958)] Jocko was always there when you needed him. We were the greatest of friends. He was the greatest guy in the world. When I came on the show, he came up to me . . . he never stole scenes . . . our work together was the greatest. He loved everybody. I never heard this man put another man down. He was so beautiful.