Kevin Joseph "Chuck" Connors (April 10, 1921 – November 10, 1992) was an American actor, writer and professional basketball and baseball player. He is one of only 12 athletes in the history of American professional sports to have played both
Major League Baseball and in the
National Basketball Association. With a 40-year film and television career, he is best known for his five-year role as
Lucas McCain in the highly rated
ABC series
The Rifleman (1958–63).