Chuck Connors, the professional baseball player who became an actor best known for his title role in the television series “The Rifleman,” died Tuesday. He was 71. The 6-foot, 5-inch actor died of lung cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he had spent the past week.

Actor Chuck Connors, the fast-shooting Lucas McCain on the long-running television series "The Rifleman," died Tuesday of lung cancer. He was 71. Connors, who appeared in at least 28 movies, died in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center a week after he was admitted, said hospital spokesman Ron Wise.