You probably know the face. That rugged, dependable look of a man who actually knows how to fix a fence or handle a horse. For most of us, Steve Kanaly is, and always will be, Ray Krebbs—the Southfork ranch foreman on Dallas who eventually found out he was a Ewing. But if you think his career started and ended at the gates of Southfork, you’re missing out on some of the gritty, wild, and genuinely cool history of 1970s and 80s cinema.
Honestly, Kanaly’s journey into acting sounds like something out of a screenplay. He didn't go to some fancy conservatory in London. He was a Vietnam vet. A radio operator. When he came home, he was basically just a guy working at a shooting range in California. That’s where he met John Milius. Milius, the legendary writer-director of Conan the Barbarian and Red Dawn, took one look at Kanaly and realized he had the authentic "tough guy" vibe that Hollywood was desperately trying to fake.
The Milius Connection and the Big Screen Start
Before the prime-time soap opera fame, Steve Kanaly movies and tv shows were defined by a series of collaborations with Milius that are basically a "Who's Who" of 70s machismo. His first real break came in 1972 with The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. Imagine being a first-time actor and your co-stars are Paul Newman and John Huston.
Talk about trial by fire.
He didn't just stop there. He became a staple in those dusty, blood-and-guts films of the era. You’ve got Dillinger (1973), where he played the real-life outlaw Pretty Boy Floyd. Then there’s The Wind and the Lion (1975) and the cult classic surfing flick Big Wednesday (1978). If you watch those movies now, you can see why he was the perfect choice for a ranch foreman. He has this stillness—a sort of quiet authority that doesn't need to shout to be noticed.
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- The Sugarland Express (1974): A lot of people forget he was in Steven Spielberg’s theatrical directorial debut. He played Officer Ernie Jessup.
- Midway (1976): He was part of that massive, star-studded ensemble, playing Lt. Cmdr. Lance E. "Lem" Massey.
- My Name Is Nobody (1973): Even popped up in a Spaghetti Western alongside Henry Fonda.
It's kinda wild to think that he was a favorite of guys like Spielberg and Milius before the world ever heard of J.R. Ewing.
Life at Southfork: The Ray Krebbs Era
Then came 1978. Dallas.
Originally, Kanaly wasn't even supposed to be a series regular. Ray Krebbs was intended to be a supporting character, the help. But the chemistry was too good. The producers realized that Ray provided a necessary groundedness to a show that was increasingly about shoulder pads and corporate backstabbing.
For 286 episodes, Ray was the moral compass—well, most of the time. He had his moments. Remember the whole thing with Lucy Ewing? Yeah, it got a bit weird before they realized they were related. But Kanaly brought a realness to the role. He actually won three Soap Opera Digest Awards for it. He stayed with the show until 1989, and honestly, the dynamic of the ranch never felt quite the same after he left.
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The "Apocalypse Now" Secret
Here’s a bit of trivia that usually blows people’s minds: Steve Kanaly is partly responsible for one of the most iconic characters in film history.
Because of his friendship with John Milius, Kanaly shared his real-life experiences from the Vietnam War. Those stories directly inspired the character of Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now—you know, the guy played by Robert Duvall who loves the smell of napalm in the morning? Kanaly even helped Duvall with the nuances of the role. It’s a huge contribution to cinema that doesn't show up on his acting credits, but it shows how respected he was by the heavy hitters.
What Happened After Dallas?
When the big 80s soaps started to wind down, Kanaly didn't just disappear. He stayed busy, though often in guest spots or more niche projects.
- All My Children: In the mid-90s, he took a turn in the daytime world as Seabone Hunkle.
- Okavango: The Wild Frontier: He spent some time filming in Africa for this series, playing J.D. Helms.
- The Last Chance Detectives: A series of family-oriented TV movies where he played Sheriff Smitty.
- Walker, Texas Ranger: He popped up in the episode "Widow Maker" because, let’s be real, you can’t have a show about Texas lawmen without inviting Ray Krebbs.
He also stepped behind the camera. He directed several episodes of Dallas and a few independent films like The Marksmen and Leaving the Land. He’s a guy who clearly loves the craft, not just the fame.
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The Art of the Pivot
These days, if you’re looking for Steve Kanaly, you’re as likely to find him in a gallery as on a film set. He’s become a highly respected watercolor artist. It’s a complete 180 from the "Pretty Boy Floyd" or "tough rancher" image, but maybe not. Watercolors require patience and a steady hand—things a guy who spent years on a ranch and a movie set probably has in spades.
He did come back for the Dallas revival on TNT (2012–2014). Seeing him back at Southfork, even for just a few episodes, felt like a proper nod to the history of the show. It reminded everyone that while J.R. was the face of the Ewings, Ray was the heart of the land.
If you’re looking to dive into his work, don't just stick to the soap operas. Grab a copy of The Wind and the Lion or Dillinger. You'll see an actor who brought a very specific, very American brand of authenticity to every frame.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the early Milius films: Check out The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean or Dillinger to see his raw, pre-fame talent.
- Track down the Dallas reunion specials: If you missed the 2012 revival or the War of the Ewings movie, they provide a great sense of closure for his character.
- Look up his artwork: Visit a gallery or search online for his watercolor pieces to see the creative side of the man behind the ranch foreman.