Brad Dexter Dies; The Magnificent Seven are down to three

Yesterday, I saw the following obituary, which read in part:

**Actor Brad Dexter, 85, who rode with Yul Brynner as one of the ‘‘Magnificent Seven’’ and became a confidant of both Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra, died Thursday of emphysema in Rancho Mirage. **

With James Coburn leaving this vale of tears last month, and Dexter’s death last Thursday, that leaves Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn and Horst Bucholz still with us.

Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen were probably waiting at the Pearly Gates for Coburn and Dexter, while Elmer Bernstein’s memorable “bum bum ba bum, bum bum bum bum ba bum” score was performed by a celestial orchestra.

When we used to try to stump each other on Movie/TV trivia years ago, Brad Dexter was always a sure winner.

You asked anyone to name the “Magnificent Seven.” They could usually get 5-6, but Brad Dexter was the one that most forgot.