Four Star Television stock certificate. RARE Orange 100 share variety. Unique vignette of woman with TV equipment. The Rifleman, The Big Valley, Zane Grey Theatre, Wanted Dead or Alive, Honey West, Burke’s Law, The Hollywood Squares, and dozens of other TV shows. Four Star Television was a prominent television production company that played a significant role in the American television industry during the mid-20th century. Here’s an overview of its history. Formation: Four Star Television was formed in 1952 by four prominent Hollywood actors: Dick Powell, Charles Boyer, David Niven, and Ida Lupino. The four stars came together to create a company that would produce television shows and capitalize on the growing popularity of the medium. Early Productions: Four Star Television quickly began producing a variety of television series across different genres. One of its early successes was “Four Star Playhouse, ” an anthology series that featured different actors and stories each week. The show aired from 1952 to 1956 and helped establish Four Star Television as a reputable production company. Expansion: As television grew in popularity, Four Star Television expanded its production slate to include a wide range of genres, including westerns, dramas, and comedies. Some of its notable productions included “The Rifleman, ” “Wanted: Dead or Alive, ” “The Big Valley, ” and Burke’s Law. Success: Four Star Television found considerable success with its shows, many of which became long-running and highly popular with audiences. “The Rifleman, ” starring Chuck Connors, ran for five seasons and became an iconic western series. “Burke’s Law, ” starring Gene Barry, also enjoyed success and even spawned a revival in the 1990s. This change in ownership led to the company being renamed Four Star International. Leading to the end of Four Star Television as an independent entity. Legacy: Despite its eventual absorption into Universal Television, Four Star Television left a lasting legacy in the television industry. Many of its shows are still remembered fondly by audiences today and have been syndicated and remade over the years. While Four Star Television may no longer exist as it did during its heyday, its contributions to television production and its memorable shows remain an integral part of television history.