Born on June 18, 1917, in Los Angeles, California, Boone had grown up near the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. In his formative years, however, the young man attended California’s Chouinard Art Institute in the hopes of becoming a painter. The aspiring artist abandoned his passion at the start of World War II to join the Navy.
According to the New York Times, Boone spent four years as an aerial gunner in the South Pacific.
By the time the war was over, Boone’s creative ember still burned fiercely inside of him.
This time, however, Boone decided to pursue acting at the Neighbourhood Playhouse in New York City.
Some of the greatest film productions in his later years include Vicki (1953) and Hombre (1967).
READ MORE: 96-year-old David Attenborough’s ‘long lifetime’ may be attributed to changes to his diet
Boone was featured in a successful TV series, Have Gun – Will Travel, which aired from 1957 to 1963.
Then he starred in The Richard Boone Show, which ran for a year from 1963.
Unbeknown to him, Boone had less than two decades left from that point onwards to enjoy his life.
Sadly, on January 10, 1981, Boone died from throat cancer in St Augustine, Florida, at the age of 63.
“Throat cancers are cancers that start in the pharynx and in the larynx (voice box).
“The pharynx is divided into three main parts; the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the hypopharynx.”
When cancer begins at the nasopharynx, behind the nose, often “the first symptom” is “a painless swelling or lump in the upper neck”.
This type of cancer can also lead to earache, fluid leaking from the ear, a blocked nose, nosebleeds, headaches, and changes to your hearing.
As for the oropharynx, behind the mouth, symptoms can include a sore throat, bad breath, and difficulty swallowing.
When a person is affected by cancer of the hypopharynx, behind the voice box, the voice can become hoarse.
The specific type of throat cancer Boone had is undisclosed, but his work during his lifetime has left behind a legacy.
Richard Boone starred in Ten Wanted Men, which is showcasing on Thursday, March 16 on Film4+1 at 4.05pm.