Donning cowboy hats and boots and affecting what they thought were western drawls, hundreds of these newly minted “cowboys” were soon crooning popular western ballads like “Tumbling Tumble Weeds” all around the nation. While Autry was also no cowboy, he was, at least, a genuine westerner who had lived on a ranch.

How big was Gene Autry's ranch?

Gene Autry purchased the 1,200-acre Flying A Ranch west of Berwyn in November 1941 to serve as headquarters for his traveling rodeo. Berwyn was renamed "Gene Autry" in his honor.

Was Gene Autry a good horse rider?

I rate Gene Autry as a good rider and horse person. Some people questioned his riding ability to which he responded: It doesn't bother me—you are always going to have somebody write stuff like that.

What are some fun facts about Gene Autry?

Autry made 640 recordings, including more than 300 songs written or co-written by him. His records sold more than 100 million copies and he has more than a dozen gold and platinum records, including the first record ever certified gold.

Was Roy Rogers a real cowboy?

Despite the false biography pushed by the movie studio, Rogers was not born a cowboy. He wasn't even really Roy Rogers. He was Leonard Franklin Slye, born on Nov. 5, 1911, in Cincinnati at 412 E.

Gene Autry - The West Ain't What It Used to Be (from Public Cowboy No. 1 1937)

What actor was a real cowboy?

One of the most famous cowboys turned actor was Ben Johnson, (June 13, 1918 – April 8, 1996) an American stuntman, world champion rodeo cowboy, and Academy Award-winning actor. The son of a rancher, Johnson arrived in Hollywood to deliver a consignment of horses for a film.

What were Roy Rogers' last words before he died?

Most importantly, he was at peace with himself and his god. His final words were reportedly, I never expected to see you in heaven. He said these touching words to his son, Dusty Rogers, who had visited him a few days before he died. Dusty had been estranged from his father for many years.

When did Gene Autry come out?

His real performing debut came in 1928 on a local radio show in Tulsa, Oklahoma: billed as Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy, he told stories and sang Jimmie Rodgers's hit songs. He also recorded popular Rodgers songs, but Autry's first hit single, in 1931, was one that he had cowritten, “That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine.”

What happened to Gene Autry's estate?

Although he died in 1998 at the age of 91, his wife, Jackie Ellam Autry, lived in the home until 2020 and “made it her goal to restore it,” Mansion Global reported when it was last listed February 2020. It sold that spring for $7 million, according to records with PropertyShark.

Did Gene Autry have any children?

Autry was married for 48 years to Ina May Spivey, who died in 1980. He married his second wife, Jackie, in 1981. He had no children by either marriage. To date, Autry is the only person to have five "stars" on the Hollywood Blvd.

Was Gene Autry a Republican or Democrat?

While Autry was quiet about his political views during his life, his voting records listed him as a registered Republican, and he supported the Civil Rights Movement. Autry was raised into Freemasonry in 1927 at Catoosa Lodge No. 185, Catoosa Oklahoma.

Who was a better singer, Roy Rogers or Gene Autry?

Though he was a much better singer than Rogers, Autry's films and recordings were belittled and he was dismissed as a "corporate cowboy."

Which Western actor was the best horse rider?

Tom Mix: Considered one of the first Western movie stars, Tom Mix was renowned for his horseback riding abilities [2]. He began his career as a Wild West show performer and showcased his expertise in horse training and trick riding in films like "The Great K & A Train Robbery."

Where is Gene Autry's horse buried?

Besides having his own television series, Champion also was a popular comic book hero. Champion died while Autry was serving in the military during World War II. The horse was buried on Gene's Melody Ranch in California.

What did Gene Autry do in WWII?

Flight Officer Autry served with this unit from July 1942 to October 1945. The C-109 was just one of the many plane types that Gene flew. The C-109 tanker is a converted B-24 Liberator bomber. During that time Gene performed duties as a pilot on cargo type aircraft including AT-6s, 7s and 11s, C-104s and C-109s.

Who was America's favorite singing cowboy?

Known as "America's Favorite Singing Cowboy," Gene Autry is the only entertainer to have five stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, one each for radio, records, film, television and live theatrical performance (including rodeo).

Was Gene Autry in the military?

PUBLISHED: January 21, 2022 at 2:50 p.m. | UPDATED: January 24, 2022 at 4:28 p.m. Except for a two-year break when he was in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, Gene Autry opened his Melody Ranch to radio guests every week from 1940 to 1956.

What song did Gene Autry write?

The titles are well remembered in both categories and include “South of the Border,” “The Last Round-Up,” “Mexicali Rose,” “Goldmine in the Sky,” “Sierra Sue,” “Down Mexico Way,” “Riders in the Sky,” “Call of the Canyon” and “Strawberry Roan.”

How much did Gene Autry sell the Angels for?

Disney first acquired a stake in the Angels in 1996 and two years later bought the rest of the team for nearly $150 million from the family of Gene Autry, the cowboy and actor who was the first owner of the expansion team when it joined the American League for the 1961 season.

What was Gene Autry's horse's name?

Champion the Wonder Horse was the on-screen companion of singing cowboy Gene Autry in 79 films between 1935 and 1952, and 91 television episodes of The Gene Autry Show between 1950 and 1955. In addition, Champion starred in 26 episodes of his own television series The Adventures of Champion in 1955 and 1956.

Did Gene Autry live in Oklahoma?

Though Autry was born in Tioga, Texas, his family moved to Oklahoma while he was an infant. He was raised in the southern Oklahoma towns of Achille and Ravia.

Did Roy Rogers have a Down syndrome child?

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans had a baby with Down syndrome in 1950. Instead of hiding her away, as was the norm at the time, they embraced her as part of their family, talked about her to their audiences, and included her in all their celebrity photo shoots.

Who inherited Roy Rogers' money?

The court records show Rogers and Evans transferred as gifts 292.5 limited partnership units in 1994 to each of their six children--Roy Rogers Jr., Cheryl Barnett, Marion Swift, Linda Johnson, Dodie Sailors and Tom Fox.

Did Roy Rogers have a biological son?

Dusty has been acting and performing almost since birth. The only natural born son of Roy Rogers, he was raised by Roy and Dale Evans, the couple known to millions of Americans through TV, radio, and dozens of beloved Western movies.

Who was the best real cowboy ever?