Difference between revisions of "Roy Rogers" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:RoyRogersandDaleEvans.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Dale Evans]] & Roy Rogers]]
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[[Image:Roy-rogers-and-fan.jpg|thumb|Roy Rogers with young fan]]
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'''Leonard Franklin Slye''' (November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998), who became famous as '''Roy Rogers''', was a singer and [[cowboy]] [[actor]]. He and his third wife [[Dale Evans]], his golden [[palomino]] [[Trigger (horse)|Trigger]], and his [[German shepherd]], Bullet, were featured in over one hundred movies and ''The Roy Rogers Show'' which ran on radio for nine years before moving to television from 1951 through 1964. His productions usually featured two sidekicks, [[Pat Brady]], (who drove a jeep called "Nellybelle"), and the crotchety bushwhacker [[Gabby Hayes]]. Roy's nickname was '''"King of the Cowboys"'''. Dale's nickname was "Queen of the West."  For many Americans (and non-Americans), he was the embodiment of the all-American hero.
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'''Roy Rogers''', born '''Leonard Franklin Slye''' (November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998), was an American [[cowboy]] [[actor]] and singer. He and his wife [[Dale Evans]], his golden [[palomino]] [[Trigger (horse)|Trigger]], and his [[German shepherd]], Bullet, were featured in over 100 movies and ''The Roy Rogers Show,'' which ran on radio for nine years before moving to television from 1951 through 1964. Rogers' productions usually featured two sidekicks, [[Pat Brady]], (who drove a jeep called "Nellybelle"), and the crotchety bushwhacker [[Gabby Hayes]]. Rogers' nickname was '''"King of the Cowboys"'''. For many Americans and people throughout the world, he was the embodiment of the all-American hero.
 +
{{toc}}
 +
==Early life==
 +
Rogers was born to Andrew & Mattie (Womack) Slye in [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], where his family lived in a tenement building on 2nd Street. ([[Riverfront Stadium]] was constructed at this location in 1970 and Rogers would later joke that he had been born at second base.) Dissatisfied with his job and city life, Andrew Slye and his brother Will built a 12-by-50-foot houseboat from salvage lumber, and in July 1912 the Slye family floated up the [[Ohio River]] towards [[Portsmouth, Ohio]]. Desiring a more stable existence in Portsmouth, Rogers' parents purchased land on which to build a home, but a flood in 1913 allowed them to simply move the houseboat to their property and continue living in it on dry land.
 +
 
 +
In 1919 the Slyes purchased a farm about 12 miles north of Portsmouth at Duck Run, near [[Lucasville, Ohio]]. There they built a six-room home. Rogers' father soon realized that the farm alone would provide insufficient income for his family, and he took a job at a shoe factory in Portsmouth. Living away from the family during the week and returning home on the weekends, Roy's father brought gifts for the family following paydays, one of which was a [[horse]], Babe, on which Rogers learned his horsemanship. The family lived too far from town to receive clear radio signals, so nights were spent entertaining themselves. Roy became a popular local singer, [[mandolin]] player, and [[square dance]] caller. He also learned to play the guitar and [[yodel]].
  
−
==Early life==
+
After completing the eighth grade, Rogers attended high school at [[McDermott, Ohio]]. When he was 17 his family returned to [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]], where his father began work at a shoe factory. Rogers soon decided on the necessity to help his family financially, so he quit high school, joined his father at the shoe factory, and began attending night school. After being ridiculed for falling asleep in class, however, he quit school and never returned.
−
[[Image:RoyRogers8479.JPG|thumb|left|250px|''Roy Rogers on Floodwall Mural painted by Robert Dafford, LaFayette, LA as part of a series of murals at his hometown, Portsmouth, Ohio'']]
 
−
Rogers was born to Andrew ("Andy") & Mattie (Womack) Slye in [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], where his family lived in a tenement building on 2nd Street. ([[Riverfront Stadium]] was constructed at this location in 1970 and Rogers would later joke that he had been born at second base.) Dissatisfied with his job and city life, Andy Slye and his brother Will built a 12-by-50-foot houseboat from salvage lumber and in July 1912 the Slye family floated up the [[Ohio River]] towards [[Portsmouth, Ohio]]. Desiring a more stable existence in Portsmouth, Rogers' parents purchased land on which to build a home, but the flood of 1913 allowed them to move the houseboat to their property and continue living in it on dry land.
 
  
−
In 1919 the Slyes purchased a farm about twelve miles north of Portsmouth at Duck Run near [[Lucasville, Ohio]]. They there built a six-room home. Rogers' father soon realized that the farm alone would provide insufficient income for his family and he took a job at a shoe factory in Portsmouth, living there during the week and returning home on the weekends, bearing gifts for the family following paydays, one of which was a horse on which Rogers learned his horsemanship.
+
In 1929, Rogers had the opportunity to travel to California with his sister's father-in-law, and the rest of the family followed in the spring of 1930. Rogers and his father immediately found employment as truck drivers for a highway construction project. They reported to work one morning, however, to learn their employer had gone bankrupt. The economic hardship of the [[Great Depression]] had followed them West, and the Slyes soon found themselves among the economic refugees traveling from job to job picking fruit and living in worker campsites. One day Andy Slye heard of a shoe factory hiring in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] and asked Roy to join him in applying there for work. Rogers, having seen the joy that his guitar and singing had brought to the destitute around the campfires, hesitantly told his father that he was going to pursue a living in music. With his father's blessing, he and cousin Stanley Slye went to Los Angeles and sought musical engagements as The Slye Brothers.
  
−
After completing the eighth grade, Rogers attended high school at [[McDermott, Ohio]]. When he was seventeen his family returned to [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]], where his father began work at a shoe factory. Rogers soon decided on the necessity to help his family financially, so he quit high school, joined his father at the shoe factory, and began attending night school. After being ridiculed for falling asleep in class, however, he quit school and never returned.
+
In 1933, Roy married Lucile Ascolese, but they were divorced three years later. The couple had no children.
  
−
Rogers and his father felt imprisoned by their factory jobs. In 1929 Rogers' older sister Mary was living at [[Lawndale, California]] with her husband. Father and son decided to quit their shoe factory jobs. The family packed their 1923 Dodge for a visit with Mary and stayed four months before returning to [[Ohio]]. Almost immediately, Rogers had the opportunity to travel to California with Mary's father-in-law, and the rest of the family followed in the spring of 1930.
+
==Career==
 +
After four years with little success as a singer, Rogers formed [[Sons of the Pioneers]], a [[Western Music (North America)|western cowboy music]] group, in 1934. The group scored hits with songs like "[[Cool Water]]" and "[[Tumbling Tumbleweeds]]."
  
−
The Slyes rented a small house near Mary. Rogers and his father immediately found employment as truck drivers for a highway construction project. They reported to work one morning, however, to learn their employer had gone bankrupt. The economic hardship of the [[Great Depression]] had followed them West and the Slyes soon found themselves among the economic refugees traveling from job to job picking fruit and living in worker campsites. (Rogers would later read [[John Steinbeck]]'s ''[[The Grapes of Wrath]]'' and marvel at its accuracy.) One day Andy Slye heard of a shoe factory hiring in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] and asked Rogers to join him in applying there for work. Rogers, having seen the joy that his guitar and singing had brought to the destitute around the campfires, hesitantly told his father that he was going to pursue a living in music. With his father's blessing, he and cousin Stanley Slye went to Los Angeles and sought musical engagements as The Slye Brothers.
+
From his first film appearance in 1935, Rogers worked steadily in [[Western movie|western]] [[films]], including a large supporting role as a singing cowboy in a [[Gene Autry]] movie while still going as "Leonard Slye" and later as "Dick Weston." In 1938 when Autry, the nation's top cowboy star, temporarily walked out on his movie contract, Slye was immediately rechristened "Roy Rogers." His stage name came from his childhood dentist, Roy Steele Rogers, who practiced in [[Hillsboro, Ohio]] and the surrounding countryside. He was given the lead role in ''Under Western Stars.'' Rogers soon became a matinée idol and American legend. In addition to his own movies, Rogers played a supporting role in the [[John Wayne]] classic ''[[Dark Command]]'' (1940), a harrowing fictionalization of [[Quantrill's Raiders]] directed by [[Raoul Walsh]].
  
−
In 1933, Roy married Lucile Ascolese, but they were divorced just three years later. The couple had no children.
+
[[Image:Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at the 61st Academy Awards.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at an Academy Awards celebration]]
 +
Due to his status as the idol of America's children, Rogers' movies were almost guaranteed money-makers, and most of his films were in color in an era when almost all other [[B-movie]]s were black and white. Rogers' [[radio]] shows and his later [[television]] series were among America's most popular. A major marketing industry grew up around his name and image. There were Roy Rogers [[action figure]]s, cowboy adventure novels, a comic strip, and a variety of other marketing successes featuring not only Roy but his whole "gang." His horse, Trigger, became a star in his own right, and some of Rogers' movies would segue into animal adventures, in which [[Trigger]] would take the lead role in his own sub-plot, with Rogers out of the picture.
  
−
==Career==
+
Rogers' first sidekick was [[Smiley Burnette]], who did two films with Rogers. [[Raymond Hatton]] did three films with him, and in 1939 Rogers' movie company, Republic, signed [[Gabby Hayes]] for the sidekick role in "Southward Ho." The two formed a pair of opposites, with Rogers as the young, clean-cut [[hero]] and Hayes as his grizzled but wise companion. They would make 40 films together, not to mention innumerable radio broadcasts. In the early 1940s, [[Pat Brady]], Rogers' replacement in the [[Sons of the Pioneers]], began playing zany camp cook Sparrow Biffle in many Roy Rogers films. In 1941, the Sons of the Pioneers co-starred with Rogers in ''Red River Valley,'' continuing their partnership with him in films through 1948.
−
[[Image:Gabby Hayes & Roy Rogers.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Publicity photo of [[Gabby Hayes]] and Roy Rogers from the early 1940s.]]
+
 
 +
By 1943 Rogers had become the top Western box office star and was being billed as the "King of the Cowboys." When Rogers moved to television in 1951, he took Brady with him, along with his horse, Trigger, his dog, Bullet, and of course, his wife, Dale Evans. Brady, now playing himself, would add a jeep named "Nellybelle" to the crowd. The show would air from 1951 through 1964, featuring more than 100 episodes, in which the "good guys" won every time.
  
−
Rogers moved to California at eighteen to become a singer. After four years of little success, he formed [[Sons of the Pioneers]], a [[Western Music (North America)|western cowboy music]] group, in 1934. The group hit it big with songs like "[[Cool Water]]" and "[[Tumbling Tumbleweeds]]."
+
==Personal life==
 +
[[Image:Royrogers.jpg|thumb|250px|A Roy Rogers restaurant on the New York Thruway]]
 +
Rogers and his second wife, Arline (Wilkins) had three children: an adopted daughter, Cheryl, and two biological children, Linda Lou and Roy Jr. Arline died of an embolism shortly after giving birth to Roy Jr. (Dusty) in 1946. [[Dale Evans]] was cast in a movie with Rogers in 1945. After Arline's death, Roy and Dale married. It was Dale's fourth marriage as well as Roy's third, but the couple, stayed together until Roy himself passed away. The couple adopted several children after the death of their natural child from complications of [[Downs' Syndrome]].
  
−
From his first film appearance in 1935, he worked steadily in [[Western movie|western]] [[films]], including a large supporting role as a singing cowboy while still billed as "Leonard Slye" in a [[Gene Autry]] movie. In 1938 when Autry temporarily walked out on his movie contract, Slye was immediately rechristened "Roy Rogers"<ref name=Rogers>Leonard Slye's stage name came from his childhood dentist, Roy Steele Rogers, who practiced in [[Hillsboro, Ohio]] and the surrounding countryside (including Duck Run).</ref> and assigned the lead in ''Under Western Stars''. Rogers became a matinee idol and American legend. A competitor for Gene Autry was suddenly born. In addition to his own movies, Rogers played a supporting role in the [[John Wayne]] classic ''[[Dark Command]]'' (1940), a harrowing fictionalization of [[Quantrill's Raiders]] directed by [[Raoul Walsh]], who had discovered Wayne in 1929 and changed ''his'' name while casting him in ''[[The Big Trail]]'', Wayne's first leading role. Rogers became a major box office attraction, and [[Dale Evans]] was cast in a movie with him in 1945. The following year, after Roy's wife, Arline, died in childbirth, Roy and Dale married. Although it was Dale's fourth marriage, Roy and Dale lived together until his death.
+
Rogers entered the restaurant business in the late 1960s, founding the Roy Rogers Family Restaurants chain in partnership with the Marriott Corporation. Several hundred Roy Rogers restaurants had been established nationwide by the 1980s, reaching 650 at its peak. In 1990, Marriott sold the chain for $365 million to Hardee's.
−
[[Image:Bellsofrosarita1.jpg|thumb|left|275px|Original film poster]]
 
−
Rogers was an idol for many children through his films and television show. Most of his films were in color in an era when almost all other [[B-movie]]s were black and white. There were Roy Rogers [[action figure]]s, cowboy adventure novels, a comic strip, and a variety of marketing successes. Some of his movies would segue into animal adventures, in which Roy's horse Trigger would go off on his own for a while with the camera following him.
 
  
−
The Sons of the Pioneers continued their popularity through the 1950s. Although Rogers was no longer a member, they often appeared as Rogers' backup group in films and on TV.
+
Rogers died of [[congestive heart failure]] on July 6, 1998 at age 86. Rogers was residing in [[Apple Valley, California]] at the time of his passing. He was buried at Sunset Hills cemetery in Apple Valley, California, where Dale Evans would later join him.
  
−
Rogers and his second wife, Arline (Wilkins) had three children: an adopted daughter, Cheryl, and two biological children, Linda Lou and Roy Jr.  Arline died of an [[embolism]] shortly after giving birth to Roy Jr. (Dusty) in 1946. Dale and Roy had a daughter, Robin Elizabeth, who died of complications of [[Down Syndrome]] at age two. Evans wrote about losing their daughter in her book ''Angel Unawares''.
+
==Legacy==
  
−
Rogers and Evans were also well known as advocates for [[adoption]] and as founders and operators of children's charities. They adopted several children. Both were outspoken [[Christian]]s. In [[Apple Valley, California]], where they made their home, numerous streets and highways as well as civic buildings have been named after them in recognition of their efforts on behalf of homeless and handicapped children. Roy was an active [[Freemason]] and a [[Shriner]] and was noted for his support of their charities.
+
Rogers and Evans became well known as advocates for [[adoption]] and as founders and operators of children's charities. In adopting an [[Native American]] girl as their first adopted child and following this with a Korean girl as her adopted sister, they did much to promote the ideal of interracial families at a time when such ideals were not popular. Both were also outspoken [[Christian]]s. In [[Apple Valley, California]], where they made their home, numerous streets and highways as well as civic buildings have been named after them in recognition of their efforts on behalf of homeless and handicapped children. Roy was an active [[Freemason]] and a [[Shriner]] and was noted for his support of their charities.
  
−
Roy and Dale's famous theme song, which Dale wrote and they sang as a duet to sign off their television show, was "[[Happy Trails (song)|Happy trails to you, Until we meet again...]]."
+
Roy and Dale's famous theme song, "[[Happy Trails (song)|Happy trails to you, Until we meet again … ]]"—which Dale wrote and they sang as a duet to sign off their television show—has become an emblem of the Hollywood version of the American West.
  
 
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Roy Rogers has a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] at 1752 Vine Street, a second star at 1733 Vine Street for his contribution to radio, and a third star at 1620 Vine Street for his contribution to the television industry.
 
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Roy Rogers has a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] at 1752 Vine Street, a second star at 1733 Vine Street for his contribution to radio, and a third star at 1620 Vine Street for his contribution to the television industry.
  
 
Roy and Dale were inducted into the [[Western Performers Hall of Fame]] at the [[National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum]] in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]] in 1976 and Roy was inducted again as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1995. Roy was also twice elected to the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]], first as a member of The Sons of the Pioneers in 1980 and as a soloist in 1988.
 
Roy and Dale were inducted into the [[Western Performers Hall of Fame]] at the [[National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum]] in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]] in 1976 and Roy was inducted again as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1995. Roy was also twice elected to the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]], first as a member of The Sons of the Pioneers in 1980 and as a soloist in 1988.
−
 
−
==Death==
 
−
 
−
Rogers died of [[congestive heart failure]] on July 6, 1998 at age 86. Rogers was residing in [[Apple Valley, California]] at the time of his passing. He was buried along with his wife, Dale Evans, at Sunset Hills cemetery in Apple Valley, CA.<ref>[http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1439193/02082001/rogers_roy.jhtml ''Dale Evans, Queen Of The West, Dead At 88''] last access February 22, 2007.</ref>
 
  
 
==Filmography==
 
==Filmography==
−
 
 
{{col-begin}}
 
{{col-begin}}
 
{{col-break}}
 
{{col-break}}
Line 123: Line 124:
 
*''Home in Oklahoma'' (1946) .... Roy Rogers
 
*''Home in Oklahoma'' (1946) .... Roy Rogers
 
*''Out California Way'' (1946) .... Roy Rogers
 
*''Out California Way'' (1946) .... Roy Rogers
−
*''Heldorado'' (1946) .... Nevada State Ranger Roy Rogers
+
*''Eldorado'' (1946) .... Nevada State Ranger Roy Rogers
 
*''Apache Rose'' (1947) .... Roy Rogers
 
*''Apache Rose'' (1947) .... Roy Rogers
 
*''Bells of San Angelo'' (1947) .... Roy Rogers
 
*''Bells of San Angelo'' (1947) .... Roy Rogers
Line 155: Line 156:
  
 
==Popular songs recorded by Roy Rogers==
 
==Popular songs recorded by Roy Rogers==
−
*"Tumbling Tumbleweeds"
+
*"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (with the Sons of the Pioneers)
 
*"Way Out There" (singing and yodeling)
 
*"Way Out There" (singing and yodeling)
 
*"Ride Ranger Ride"
 
*"Ride Ranger Ride"
Line 162: Line 163:
 
*"That Pioneer Mother Of Mine"
 
*"That Pioneer Mother Of Mine"
 
*"Little White Cross On The Hill"
 
*"Little White Cross On The Hill"
−
 
+
*"Don't Fence Me In"
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==Trivia==
 
−
*The hero of Hungarian-American composer [[Emmerich Kalman]]'s last work, the cowboy operetta ''[[Arizona Lady]]'', is named "Roy Dexter" after Roy Rogers.
 
−
 
 
−
==See also==
 
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* [[Roy Rogers Family Restaurants]]
 
−
* [[Roy Rogers cocktail]]
 
−
* [[Notable figures in Western films|Other notable figures in Western films]]
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
* Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, with Carlton Stowers, ''Happy Trails: The story of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans'', Carmel, New York, Guideposts, 1979, ISBN 0-8499-0086-7.
+
*Davis, Elise Miller. ''The Answer Is God; The Inspiring Personal Story of Dale Evans and Roy Rogers.'' New York: McGraw-Hill, 1955. OCLC 1264506
−
<references/>
+
* Rogers, Roy, and Dale Evans, with Carlton Stowers, ''Happy Trails: The story of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.'' Carmel, New York: Guideposts, 1979. ISBN 0849900867.
 +
*Rogers-Barnett, Cheryl, and Frank T. Thompson. ''Cowboy Princess: Life with My Parents, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.'' Lanham [Md.]: Taylor Trade Pub, 2003. ISBN 9781589790261
 +
*White, Ray. ''King of the Cowboys, Queen of the West: Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.'' Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press/Popular Press, 2005. ISBN 9780299210045
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
−
*{{imdb name|id=0001678|name=Roy Rogers}}
+
All links retrieved December 21, 2022.
−
*[http://www.royrogers.com/ Official family website and museum]
+
*{{imdb name|id=0001678|name=Roy Rogers}} ''www.imdb.com''
−
*[http://www.comics.org/search.lasso?query=Roy+Rogers&type=character&sort=chrono&Submit=Search Database and Cover gallery of Roy Rogers comic book appearances]  
+
*[http://www.royrogers.com/ Official family website and museum] ''www.royrogers.com''
−
*[http://www.royrogersranch.com/ Roy Rogers Ranch]
+
*[http://www.comics.org/search.lasso?query=Roy+Rogers&type=character&sort=chrono&Submit=Search Database and Cover gallery of Roy Rogers comic book appearances] ''www.comics.org''
−
*[http://www.captainerniesshowboat.com/royrogers  Interview with Delores Chapman who had a bit part with Roy Rogers in North of the Great Divide]
+
 
 +
{{credit|112379636}}
  
 
[[Category:Art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
 
[[Category:Art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
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[[category:history and biography]]
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[[Category:History]]
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{{credit|112379636}}
 

Latest revision as of 20:50, 21 December 2022


Roy Rogers with young fan

Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye (November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998), was an American cowboy actor and singer. He and his wife Dale Evans, his golden palomino Trigger, and his German shepherd, Bullet, were featured in over 100 movies and The Roy Rogers Show, which ran on radio for nine years before moving to television from 1951 through 1964. Rogers' productions usually featured two sidekicks, Pat Brady, (who drove a jeep called "Nellybelle"), and the crotchety bushwhacker Gabby Hayes. Rogers' nickname was "King of the Cowboys". For many Americans and people throughout the world, he was the embodiment of the all-American hero.

Early life

Rogers was born to Andrew & Mattie (Womack) Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his family lived in a tenement building on 2nd Street. (Riverfront Stadium was constructed at this location in 1970 and Rogers would later joke that he had been born at second base.) Dissatisfied with his job and city life, Andrew Slye and his brother Will built a 12-by-50-foot houseboat from salvage lumber, and in July 1912 the Slye family floated up the Ohio River towards Portsmouth, Ohio. Desiring a more stable existence in Portsmouth, Rogers' parents purchased land on which to build a home, but a flood in 1913 allowed them to simply move the houseboat to their property and continue living in it on dry land.

In 1919 the Slyes purchased a farm about 12 miles north of Portsmouth at Duck Run, near Lucasville, Ohio. There they built a six-room home. Rogers' father soon realized that the farm alone would provide insufficient income for his family, and he took a job at a shoe factory in Portsmouth. Living away from the family during the week and returning home on the weekends, Roy's father brought gifts for the family following paydays, one of which was a horse, Babe, on which Rogers learned his horsemanship. The family lived too far from town to receive clear radio signals, so nights were spent entertaining themselves. Roy became a popular local singer, mandolin player, and square dance caller. He also learned to play the guitar and yodel.

After completing the eighth grade, Rogers attended high school at McDermott, Ohio. When he was 17 his family returned to Cincinnati, where his father began work at a shoe factory. Rogers soon decided on the necessity to help his family financially, so he quit high school, joined his father at the shoe factory, and began attending night school. After being ridiculed for falling asleep in class, however, he quit school and never returned.

In 1929, Rogers had the opportunity to travel to California with his sister's father-in-law, and the rest of the family followed in the spring of 1930. Rogers and his father immediately found employment as truck drivers for a highway construction project. They reported to work one morning, however, to learn their employer had gone bankrupt. The economic hardship of the Great Depression had followed them West, and the Slyes soon found themselves among the economic refugees traveling from job to job picking fruit and living in worker campsites. One day Andy Slye heard of a shoe factory hiring in Los Angeles and asked Roy to join him in applying there for work. Rogers, having seen the joy that his guitar and singing had brought to the destitute around the campfires, hesitantly told his father that he was going to pursue a living in music. With his father's blessing, he and cousin Stanley Slye went to Los Angeles and sought musical engagements as The Slye Brothers.

In 1933, Roy married Lucile Ascolese, but they were divorced three years later. The couple had no children.

Career

After four years with little success as a singer, Rogers formed Sons of the Pioneers, a western cowboy music group, in 1934. The group scored hits with songs like "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds."

From his first film appearance in 1935, Rogers worked steadily in western films, including a large supporting role as a singing cowboy in a Gene Autry movie while still going as "Leonard Slye" and later as "Dick Weston." In 1938 when Autry, the nation's top cowboy star, temporarily walked out on his movie contract, Slye was immediately rechristened "Roy Rogers." His stage name came from his childhood dentist, Roy Steele Rogers, who practiced in Hillsboro, Ohio and the surrounding countryside. He was given the lead role in Under Western Stars. Rogers soon became a matinée idol and American legend. In addition to his own movies, Rogers played a supporting role in the John Wayne classic Dark Command (1940), a harrowing fictionalization of Quantrill's Raiders directed by Raoul Walsh.

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at an Academy Awards celebration

Due to his status as the idol of America's children, Rogers' movies were almost guaranteed money-makers, and most of his films were in color in an era when almost all other B-movies were black and white. Rogers' radio shows and his later television series were among America's most popular. A major marketing industry grew up around his name and image. There were Roy Rogers action figures, cowboy adventure novels, a comic strip, and a variety of other marketing successes featuring not only Roy but his whole "gang." His horse, Trigger, became a star in his own right, and some of Rogers' movies would segue into animal adventures, in which Trigger would take the lead role in his own sub-plot, with Rogers out of the picture.

Rogers' first sidekick was Smiley Burnette, who did two films with Rogers. Raymond Hatton did three films with him, and in 1939 Rogers' movie company, Republic, signed Gabby Hayes for the sidekick role in "Southward Ho." The two formed a pair of opposites, with Rogers as the young, clean-cut hero and Hayes as his grizzled but wise companion. They would make 40 films together, not to mention innumerable radio broadcasts. In the early 1940s, Pat Brady, Rogers' replacement in the Sons of the Pioneers, began playing zany camp cook Sparrow Biffle in many Roy Rogers films. In 1941, the Sons of the Pioneers co-starred with Rogers in Red River Valley, continuing their partnership with him in films through 1948.

By 1943 Rogers had become the top Western box office star and was being billed as the "King of the Cowboys." When Rogers moved to television in 1951, he took Brady with him, along with his horse, Trigger, his dog, Bullet, and of course, his wife, Dale Evans. Brady, now playing himself, would add a jeep named "Nellybelle" to the crowd. The show would air from 1951 through 1964, featuring more than 100 episodes, in which the "good guys" won every time.

Personal life

A Roy Rogers restaurant on the New York Thruway

Rogers and his second wife, Arline (Wilkins) had three children: an adopted daughter, Cheryl, and two biological children, Linda Lou and Roy Jr. Arline died of an embolism shortly after giving birth to Roy Jr. (Dusty) in 1946. Dale Evans was cast in a movie with Rogers in 1945. After Arline's death, Roy and Dale married. It was Dale's fourth marriage as well as Roy's third, but the couple, stayed together until Roy himself passed away. The couple adopted several children after the death of their natural child from complications of Downs' Syndrome.

Rogers entered the restaurant business in the late 1960s, founding the Roy Rogers Family Restaurants chain in partnership with the Marriott Corporation. Several hundred Roy Rogers restaurants had been established nationwide by the 1980s, reaching 650 at its peak. In 1990, Marriott sold the chain for $365 million to Hardee's.

Rogers died of congestive heart failure on July 6, 1998 at age 86. Rogers was residing in Apple Valley, California at the time of his passing. He was buried at Sunset Hills cemetery in Apple Valley, California, where Dale Evans would later join him.

Legacy

Rogers and Evans became well known as advocates for adoption and as founders and operators of children's charities. In adopting an Native American girl as their first adopted child and following this with a Korean girl as her adopted sister, they did much to promote the ideal of interracial families at a time when such ideals were not popular. Both were also outspoken Christians. In Apple Valley, California, where they made their home, numerous streets and highways as well as civic buildings have been named after them in recognition of their efforts on behalf of homeless and handicapped children. Roy was an active Freemason and a Shriner and was noted for his support of their charities.

Roy and Dale's famous theme song, "Happy trails to you, Until we meet again … "—which Dale wrote and they sang as a duet to sign off their television show—has become an emblem of the Hollywood version of the American West.

For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Roy Rogers has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1752 Vine Street, a second star at 1733 Vine Street for his contribution to radio, and a third star at 1620 Vine Street for his contribution to the television industry.

Roy and Dale were inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1976 and Roy was inducted again as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1995. Roy was also twice elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, first as a member of The Sons of the Pioneers in 1980 and as a soloist in 1988.

Filmography

  • Slightly Static (1935) (uncredited) .... Member of Sons of the Pioneers
  • The Old Homestead (1935) (as Leonard Slye) .... Sons of the Pioneers
  • Way Up Thar (1935) (as Leonard Slye) .... Band Member
  • Gallant Defender (1935) (uncredited) .... Nester (Sons of the Pioneers)
  • The Mysterious Avenger (1936) (as Len Slye) .... Musician Len
  • Song of the Saddle (1936) (uncredited) .... Sons of the Pioneers Guitarist
  • Rhythm on the Range (1936) (uncredited) .... Leonard (Sons of the Pioneers)
  • California Mail (1936) (uncredited) .... Square Dance Caller & Guitarist
  • The Big Show (1936) (uncredited) .... Sons of the Pioneers guitar player
  • The Old Corral (1936) (uncredited) .... Buck O'Keefe
  • The Old Wyoming Trail (1937) (uncredited) .... Guitar player/Singer/Cowhand
  • Wild Horse Rodeo (1937) (as Dick Weston) .... Singer
  • The Old Barn Dance (1938) (as Dick Weston) .... Singer
  • Under Western Stars (1938) .... Roy Rogers
  • Billy the Kid Returns (1938) .... Roy Rogers/Billy the Kid
  • A Feud There Was (1938) (uncredited) .... Egghead/Elmer Singing Voice
  • Come On, Rangers (1938) .... Roy Rogers
  • Shine On, Harvest Moon (1938) .... Roy Rogers
  • Rough Riders' Round-up (1939) .... Roy Rogers
  • Southward Ho (1939) .... Roy
  • Frontier Pony Express (1939) .... Roy Roger
  • In Old Caliente (1939) .... Roy Rogers
  • Wall Street Cowboy (1939) .... Roy Rogers
  • The Arizona Kid (1939) .... Roy Rogers/The Arizona Kid
  • Jeepers Creepers (1939) .... Roy
  • Saga of Death Valley (1939) .... Roy Rogers
  • Days of Jesse James (1939) .... Roy Rogers
  • Dark Command (1940) .... Fletcher 'Fletch' McCloud
  • Young Buffalo Bill (1940) .... Bill Cody
  • The Carson City Kid (1940) .... The Carson City Kid
  • The Ranger and the Lady (1940) .... Texas Ranger Captain Roy Colt
  • Colorado (1940) .... Lieutenant Jerry Burke
  • Young Bill Hickok (1940) .... 'Wild' Bill Hickok
  • The Border Legion (1940) .... Dr. Stephen Kellogg, aka Steve Kells
  • Robin Hood of the Pecos (1941) .... Vance Corbin
  • Arkansas Judge (1941) .... Tom Martel
  • In Old Cheyenne' (1941) .... Steve Blane
  • Sheriff of Tombstone (1941) .... Brett Starr
  • Nevada City (1941) .... Jeff Connors
  • Bad Man of Deadwood (1941) .... Brett Starr aka Bill Brady
  • Jesse James at Bay (1941) .... Jesse James/Clint Burns
  • Red River Valley (1941) .... Roy Rogers
  • Man from Cheyenne (1942) .... Roy Rogers
  • South of Santa Fe (1942) .... Roy Rogers
  • Sunset on the Desert (1942) .... Roy Rogers & Deputy Bill Sloan
  • Romance on the Range (1942) .... Roy Rogers
  • Sons of the Pioneers (1942) .... Roy Rogers
  • Sunset Serenade (1942) .... Roy Rogers
  • Heart of the Golden West (1942) .... Roy Rogers
  • Ridin' Down the Canyon (1942) .... Roy Rogers
  • Idaho (1943) .... Roy Rogers
  • King of the Cowboys (1943) .... Roy Rogers
  • Song of Texas (1943) .... Roy Rogers
  • Silver Spurs (1943) .... Roy Rogers
  • Hands Across the Border (1944) .... Roy Rogers
  • Cowboy and the Senorita (1944) .... Roy Rogers
  • The Yellow Rose of Texas (1944) .... Roy Rogers
  • Song of Nevada (1944) .... Roy Rogers
  • San Fernando Valley (1944) .... Roy Rogers
  • Lights of Old Santa Fe (1944) .... Roy Rogers
  • Hollywood Canteen (1944) .... Roy Rogers and Trigger
  • Utah (1945) .... Roy Rogers
  • Where Do We Go from Here? (1945) (scenes deleted)
  • Bells of Rosarita (1945) .... Roy Rogers
  • The Man from Oklahoma (1945) .... Roy Rogers
  • Along the Navajo Trail (1945) .... Roy Rogers
  • Sunset in El Dorado (1945) .... Roy Rogers
  • Don't Fence Me In (1945) .... Roy Rogers
  • Song of Arizona (1946) .... Roy Rogers
  • Rainbow Over Texas (1946) .... Roy Rogers
  • My Pal Trigger (1946) .... Roy Rogers
  • Under Nevada Skies (1946) .... Roy Rogers
  • Roll on Texas Moon (1946) .... Roy Rogers
  • Home in Oklahoma (1946) .... Roy Rogers
  • Out California Way (1946) .... Roy Rogers
  • Eldorado (1946) .... Nevada State Ranger Roy Rogers
  • Apache Rose (1947) .... Roy Rogers
  • Bells of San Angelo (1947) .... Roy Rogers
  • Springtime in the Sierras (1947) .... Roy Rogers
  • On the Old Spanish Trail (1947) .... Roy Rogers
  • Pecos Bill (1948) .... Roy Rogers
  • The Gay Ranchero (1948) .... Sheriff Roy Rogers
  • Under California Stars (1948) .... Roy Rogers
  • Eyes of Texas (1948) .... U.S. Marshal Roy Rogers
  • Night Time in Nevada (1948) .... Roy Rogers
  • Grand Canyon Trail (1948) .... Roy Rogers
  • The Far Frontier (1948) .... Roy Rogers
  • Susanna Pass (1949) .... Roy Rogers
  • Down Dakota Way (1949) .... Roy Rogers
  • The Golden Stallion (1949) .... Roy Rogers
  • Bells of Coronado (1950) .... Roy Rogers
  • Twilight in the Sierras (1950) .... State Parole Officer Roy Rogers
  • Trigger, Jr. (1950) .... Roy Rogers
  • Sunset in the West (1950) .... Roy Rogers
  • North of the Great Divide (1950) .... Roy Rogers
  • Trail of Robin Hood (1950) .... Roy Rogers
  • Spoilers of the Plains (1951) .... Roy Rogers
  • Heart of the Rockies (1951) .... Roy Rogers
  • In Old Amarillo (1951) .... Roy Rogers
  • South of Caliente (1951) .... Roy Rogers
  • Pals of the Golden West (1951) .... Border Patrolman Roy Rogers
  • Son of Paleface (1952) .... Roy Barton
  • Alias Jesse James (1959) (uncredited) .... Roy Rogers
  • Mackintosh and T.J. (1975) .... Mackintosh

Popular songs recorded by Roy Rogers

  • "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (with the Sons of the Pioneers)
  • "Way Out There" (singing and yodeling)
  • "Ride Ranger Ride"
  • "Hold That Critter Down"
  • "One More Ride"
  • "That Pioneer Mother Of Mine"
  • "Little White Cross On The Hill"
  • "Don't Fence Me In"

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Davis, Elise Miller. The Answer Is God; The Inspiring Personal Story of Dale Evans and Roy Rogers. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1955. OCLC 1264506
  • Rogers, Roy, and Dale Evans, with Carlton Stowers, Happy Trails: The story of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Carmel, New York: Guideposts, 1979. ISBN 0849900867.
  • Rogers-Barnett, Cheryl, and Frank T. Thompson. Cowboy Princess: Life with My Parents, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Lanham [Md.]: Taylor Trade Pub, 2003. ISBN 9781589790261
  • White, Ray. King of the Cowboys, Queen of the West: Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press/Popular Press, 2005. ISBN 9780299210045

External links

All links retrieved December 21, 2022.

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