In a career spanning nearly 40 years, Robert Karnes appeared in a great many television series, but is likely best remembered for his work in the Western and crime genres. His early resume boasted small parts in such celebrated films as 1949's "All the King's Men," and he was also memorable as ruthless meatpacker scion Brock Stevens, who looks to rip off cattlemen in 1950's "Hills of Oklahoma." In '59, after working in movies and television for well over a decade, he landed one of his first recurring roles, in the crime series "The Lawless Years," as Max Fields, partner of main protagonist Barney Ruditsky. Around this time, he appeared in episodes of the mystery series "Perry Mason" as Deputy D.A. Chamberlin, and would work with actor Raymond Burr again in his '60s crime series "Ironside." He was a regular in Western-themed shows throughout his lengthy career, and starting in the late '50s began guest-starring in some of the more popular oaters of his day, including "Gunsmoke," in which he played several different characters. This carried over to the next decade, in which he appeared in "Bonanza," among others. At the end of the '70s, he played Sheriff King in several episodes of "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries."