Sunday night’s premiere of “Yellowstone” featured not one, but two disturbing deaths. However, only one of these happened in real life (Mild spoilers ahead for “Yellowstone” Season 5, Episode 9).

Part of “Desire Is All You Need” followed Rip (Cole Hauser) as he traveled to a loriner to retrieve a horse bit for Lloyd (Forrie J. Smith). But while he was in the shop in Pampa, Texas, one craftsman’s work in particular caught his attention, namely a set of spurs made from a single piece of metal. That craftsman was Billy Klapper, who appeared as himself in the episode.

A legend in his field, Klapper began making parts and tracks full-time in 1968. He was best known in the cowboy community for his one-piece spurs, the very same piece that catches Rip’s attention in the episode. He was also one of the few remaining spur makers trained by Adolph Bayers, another legend who made parts and spurs from the 1930s to the 1970s. According to his obituary, Klapper created 682 different track patterns and 816 different bit patterns over the course of his long career. He was revered for his artistry and for his ability to replicate ancient designs by other makers.

Klapper died on September 10 this year at the age of 87. He is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Yeates and Elizabeth Wilson, and six grandchildren.

The Craftsman appears as himself in the season 5 episode, marking Klapper’s only credited on-screen appearance. The final moments of episode 9 also include an in memoriam card in his honor.

This is not the first time that “Yellowstone” has incorporated real cowboys and figures from that world into the series. Creator Taylor Sheridan grew up as a cowboy and currently owns part of the “Yellowstone” 6666 Ranch. Sheridan not only writes and hosts the series, he also stars as rodeo cowboy and horse dealer Travis Wheatley. Other real-life cowboys starring in the drama include Smith, Jake Ream, Ryan Bingham and Ethan Lee.

“Yellowstone” airs Sunday night on Paramount Network before streaming on Paramount+.