Creation

Chito Rafferty is a fictional Mexican-Irish cowboy, full name Chito Jose Gonzales Bustamonte Rafferty, originated by actor Martin in the 1943 war film Bombardier. He appeared in 34 Westerns, chiefly as a comedic sidekick, notably in two films with Robert Mitchum (1944–1945) and, most extensively, in a 29-film series opposite Tim Holt (1947–1952). In these, Rafferty is depicted as a loyal but commitment-shy ladies' man who typically flirts early in the plot but evades romance by the end. The character also appeared with Holt in Magazine Enterprises comics but was discontinued after the license lapsed.