Jack Wilson is a supporting antagonist in the 1953 western film Shane. He's one of Rufus Ryker's closest gunmen and his right-hand man who wants to assist him in tearing down the fences and gaining control over all of the land so his cattle can run loose.
He was portrayed by the late Jack Palance.
Biography[]
Not much is known about Jack Wilson's beginnings, although he's known to be from Cheyenne, Wyoming and was first hired by Rufus Ryker after Joe Starlett came to Shane's aid during a fight in a bar and the two of them took down Ryker's cowhand ranchers, and Starlett vowed to assist the homestaders in taking their land back. Ryker was hoping that with a new recruit in the gang who was fast on the draw, the tables would turn. And indeed, Jack Wilson would prove to be just as -- if not more -- merciless, sadistic and deadly than Ryker was. As a gunman, he would personally threaten various owners and isn't afraid to murder an innocent owner in cold-blood.
On Independence Day, Wilson arrived in town menacingly. He went into the saloon and announces that Ryker summoned him, and is informed he's upstairs and asleep in a room above the saloon. When he eventually finds Ryker later on, he attends a brief meeting with Ryker and his other men (including his brother Morgan Ryker, and fellow cowboy Chris Calloway). Ryker states that he had avoided gun usage up to then trying to do deals in a non-harmful way. And then, Stonewall Torrey enters the saloon to get a drink. He accuses Ryker of successfully running off Ernie Lewis - one of the homesteaders -- as an attempt to show off his bravery, and show he wasn't a coward. After he left, Ryker and his men got an idea.
The next day in town, Ryker felt he might have to kill Starrett to try crushing the homesteaders' hope, although he is reminded Wilson would kill him. But when the gang comes across Torrey, Wilson recommends just taking him out since with of the homesteaders gone, taking out the rest wouldn't be much of a challenge.
On the boardwalk of Grafton's porch, Wilson challenges, provokes, and taunts the ex-Confederate Torrey who is determined not to be pushed around. Torrey calls Wilson a lou're a low-down lyin' Yankee." To which Wilson asks Torrey to prove it, right before instantly gunning him down. Shipstead is warned by Morgan Ryker to let that be a warning for the other townspeople. Shipstead drags Torrey's body out of the mud and carries him back to the homesteaders. He informs Starrett that Wilson murdered him.