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Brendon Boone was born in Meridian, Mississippi, to Reverend Dr. Norman Boone Sr. and Leola (Speed) Boone. His early years involved frequent moves as his father was reassigned by the Methodist Church to different congregations, including several years in San Diego when Rev. Boone served as a Navy Chaplain during World War II. As a child, Brendon excelled in basketball and football and became the Mississippi state Soap Box Derby champion in 1952. Though he placed second in the World Soap Box Derby in Ohio, he was encouraged by celebrity Jimmy Stewart to return home proud, still a champion in Mississippi.
Brendon initially studied architecture, English, and theology at Georgia Tech and Emory University before transferring to the renowned theater program at Rollins College in Florida. His acclaimed performance as Sakini in the Annie Russell Theater’s production of "Teahouse of the August Moon" drew attention from Hollywood. After a brief period studying in New York, he relocated to Hollywood, where he wrote, produced, and starred in "The Tormented Years," directed by Jamie Russell, brother of Jane Russell. Early guest roles on television series like "Bonanza," "Rawhide," "The Virginian," and the TV movie "Assault!" led to his starring role in the World War II action series "Garrison’s Gorillas" (1967–68) as Chief, a knife-wielding half-breed Indian character he originally created for "Assault!". This role earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Most Popular TV Star - Male from the International Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
His other TV appearances include "Gunsmoke," where his portrayal of Hawk in the episode named after the character brought the series one of its highest ratings, as well as credits on "Quincy, ME," "Emergency," "Falcon Crest," "Fantasy Island," and "Jake and the Fat Man." He also appeared in TV movies such as "The Hanged Man," "Death Race," "Hanging by a Thread," and "The Hostage Heart." In 1973, he starred alongside Stephen Boyd, Cameron Mitchell, France Nuyen, and Ray Milland in the feature film "The Big Game."
Brendon’s deep Christian faith and life experiences—from his Southern upbringing during the Civil Rights era to raising his son, Norman Brendon Boone III, as a single father—culminated in his novel and screenplay, "Preacher and Co," a story about love, brotherhood, loyalty, and redemption.
In January 1999, Brendon married actress Karen Jensen.
