Chance 's friend Pat Wheeler ( Ward Bond ) and his wagon train of supplies stop in town , with a young gunslinger , Colorado Ryan ( Ricky Nelson ) , riding guard . Inside the jail , Stumpy ( Walter Brennan ) , Chance 's game - legged deputy , keeps watch over the jail and Joe , who knows that Stumpy holds an old grudge against Joe 's wealthy and powerful brother . Joe warns his jailers that Nathan Burdette will not like how his brother is being treated .

Question: who played the colorado kid in rio bravo
Answer: Ricky Nelson