Legendary Texas Ranger, best-selling author, actor dies at 80

"Legendary lawman" Joaquin Jackson died at 80-years-old after a short battle with cancer. "Legendary lawman" Joaquin Jackson died at 80-years-old after a short battle with cancer. Photo: The Texas Rangers Photo: The Texas Rangers Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Legendary Texas Ranger, best-selling author, actor dies at 80 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Legendary Texas Ranger and best-selling author Joaquin Jackson, originally from Anton, died at age 80 Wednesday after battling cancer for a short time.

Jackson was the inspiration behind many Western film characters including Nick Nolte's character in the motion picture Extreme Prejudice and Jeff Bridges' Texas Ranger character in a not-yet-released film, Hell or High Water.

RELATED: 50-year veteran San Bernardino reserve police officer dies

Lonesome Dove star Robert Duvall called Jackson a "legendary lawman and one of the most famous Texas Rangers of the twentieth century."

Jackson was best known for the 23 years he spent as a Texas Ranger in Uvalde and Alpine before retiring in 2003.

RELATED: Man shot by tribal police officer in emergency room dies

After retiring, Jackson made appearances in numerous films including The Good 'ol Boys that featured Tommy Lee Jones, and wrote a best-selling memoir, "One Ranger."

According to his obituary published by the Texas Rangers, Jackson was a longtime director of the National Rifle Association, a member of the Screen Actors Guild, numerous law enforcement organizations and he was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

MMedina@mySA.com

Twitter: @MariahMedinaaa