On March 10, 2010, Fuller presented James Drury with the "Cowboy Spirit Award" at the "Festival of the West." He also paid tribute to John Smith, who died fifteen years earlier on January 25, 1995 of cirrhosis of the liver and heart problems. In the tribute he recounted many details about Smith's life, especially their on- and off-screen chemistry during their days on "Laramie." Smith had also attended the "Festival of the West" for two seasons before his declining health rendered it impossible for him to appear.