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Roy Rogers Biography (1912?-1998)

Original name, Leonard Franklin Slye; name legally changed, 1942; born November 5, 1912 (some sources say 1911), in Cincinnati, OH; died of congestive heart failure, July 6, 1998, in Apple Valley, CA; son of Andrew E. (a worker ina shoe factory) and Mattie Martha (Womack) Slye; married Lucile Ascolese, 1932 (marriage annulled, 1932); married Arlene Wilkins, June 14, 1936 (died November 3, 1946); married Frances Octavia Smith (a performer under the name DaleEvans), December 31, 1947; children: (second marriage) Cheryl Darlene RogersBarnett (adopted), Linda Lou Rogers Johnson, Roy ("Dusty"), Jr.; (third marriage) Thomas Frederick Fox, Jr. (stepson), Robin Elizabeth (deceased), Mary Little Doe Stanley, Dodie Rogers Sailors (adopted), Marion Swift (foster daughter), Deborah Lee (adopted; deceased), John David ("Sandy;" adopted; deceased). Career: Actor and singer. Performed with music groups, including the Hollywood Hillbillies, the Rocky Mountaineers, the Texas Outlaws, and the O-Bar-O Cowboys; co-founder of the music group the International Cowboys; Sonsof the Pioneers, co-founder and performer (first as Leonard Slye, then as Dick Weston, later as Roy Rogers), 1932-38; performed as the star of a syndicated radio show in the 1940s; entertainer at rodeos and state fairs. Also worked as a truck driver and fruit picker. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum, Victorville, CA, co-founder, 1967; Roy Rogers Enterprises, president; Roy Rogers Family Restaurants, member of board of directors; Roy Rogers Apple Valley Inn,past owner; investor in real estate and businesses, including a television production company and a music publishing company. Earned the nickname "King of the Cowboys." Awards, Honors: Shared Golden Apple Award, star of theyear (with Dale Evans), Hollywood Women's Press Club, 1953; elected to Cowboy Hall of Fame, 1976; elected to Country Music Hall of Fame (with Sons of thePioneers), 1980, and (as Roy Rogers), 1988; Pioneer Award, Academy of Country Music, 1986; named honorary American Indian of the Year, 1986; International Galaxy of Fame Award, Angel Foundation, 1988; shared Country Music Association Award nomination, vocal event of the year (with Clint Black), 1992, for the song "Hold On Partner;" citation from U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Department of the Treasury; American Legion Award.

Nationality

American

Gender

Male

Occupation

Actor, singer

Birth Details

November 5, 1912?

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Death Details

July 6, 1998

Apple Valley, California, United States

Famous Works

• CREDITS
• Film Appearances, as Roy Rogers, Unless Otherwise Indicated
• Gallant Defender, Columbia, 1935
• (As Leonard Slye) One of the Sons of the Pioneers, The Old Homestead, Liberty, 1935
• (As Dick Weston) Slightly Static, 1935
• One of the Sons of the Pioneers, Tumbling Tumbleweeds, 1935
• (As Dick Weston) Way Up Thar, 1935
• The Big Show, 1936
• Squaredance caller, California Mail, 1936
• The Mysterious Avenger, Columbia, 1936
• Buck O'Keefe, The Old Corral (also known as Texas Serenade), Republic, 1936
• One of the Sons of the Pioneers, Rhythm on the Range, 1936
• Song of the Saddle, Warner Bros., 1936
• The Old Wyoming Trail, Columbia, 1937
• Singer, Wild Horse Rodeo, Republic, 1937
• Title role, Billy the Kid Returns, Republic, 1938
• Come On, Rangers, Republic, 1938
• (As Dick Weston) Singer, The Old Barn Dance, Republic, 1938
• Shine On, Harvest Moon, Republic, 1938
• Under Western Stars, Republic, 1938
• The Arizona Kid, Republic, 1939
• Days of Jesse James, Republic, 1939
• Frontier Pony Express, Republic, 1939
• In Old Caliente, Republic, 1939
• Rough Riders' Round-Up, Republic, 1939
• Saga of Death Valley, Republic, 1939
• Southward Ho, Republic, 1939
• Wall Street Cowboy, Republic, 1939
• Steve Kells, The Border Legion (also known as West of the Badlands), Republic, 1940
• Title role, Carson City Kid, Republic, 1940
• Jerry Burke, Colorado, Republic, 1940
• Fletch McCloud, The Dark Command, Republic, 1940
• Captain Colt, The Ranger and the Lady, Republic, 1940
• Bill Hickok, Young Bill Hickok, Republic, 1940
• Buffalo Bill, Young Buffalo Bill, Republic, 1940
• Brett Starr, Sheriff of Tombstone, Republic, 1941
• Tom Martel, Arkansas Judge, Republic, 1941
• Bill Brady, Bad Man of Deadwood, Republic, 1941
• Steve Blane, In Old Cheyenne, Republic, 1941
• Jesse James and Clint Burns, Jesse James at Bay, Republic, 1941
• Jeff Connors, Nevada City, Republic, 1941
• Red River Valley, Republic, 1941
• Vance Corgin, Robin Hood of the Pecos, Republic, 1941
• Heart of the Golden West, Republic, 1942
• Man from Cheyenne, Republic, 1942
• Ridin' down the Canyon, Republic, 1942
• Romance on the Range, Republic, 1942
• Sons of the Pioneers, Republic, 1942
• South of Santa Fe, Republic, 1942
• Roy/Sloane, Sunset on the Desert, Republic, 1942
• Sunset Serenade, Republic, 1942
• Hands across the Border, Republic, 1943
• Idaho, Republic, 1943
• King of the Cowboys, Republic, 1943
• Man from Music Mountain (also known as Texas Legionnaires),Republic, 1943
• Silver Spurs, Republic, 1943
• Song of Texas, Republic, 1943
• Guest star, Brazil, Republic, 1944
• The Cowboy and the Senorita, Republic, 1944
• Hollywood Canteen, Warner Bros., 1944
• Lake Placid Serenade, Republic, 1944
• Lights of Old Santa Fe, Republic, 1944
• San Fernando Valley, Republic, 1944
• Song of Nevada, Republic, 1944
• Yellow Rose of Texas, Republic, 1944
• Along the Navajo Trail, Republic, 1945
• Bells of Rosarita, Republic, 1945
• Don't Fence Me In, Republic, 1945
• The Man from Oklahoma, Republic, 1945
• Sunset in El Dorado, Republic, 1945
• Utah, Republic, 1945
• Where Do We Go from Here?, 1945
• Heldorado (also known as Helldorado), Republic, 1946
• Home in Oklahoma, Republic, 1946
• My Pal Trigger, Republic, 1946
• Out California Way, Republic, 1946
• Rainbow over Texas, Republic, 1946
• Roll on Texas Moon, Republic, 1946
• Song of Arizona, Republic, 1946
• Under Nevada Skies, Republic, 1946
• Apache Rose, Republic, 1947
• Bells of San Angelo, Republic, 1947
• Hit Parade of 1947, Republic, 1947
• On the Old Spanish Trail, Republic, 1947
• Springtime in the Sierras (also known as Song of the Sierra), Republic, 1947
• Eyes of Texas, Republic, 1948
• The Grand Canyon Trail, Republic, 1948
• Voiceover, Melody Time (animated), RKO Radio Pictures, 1948
• Night Time in Nevada, Republic, 1948
• Under California Stars (also known as Under California Skies), Republic, 1948
• Down Dakota Way, Republic, 1949
• The Far Frontier, Republic, 1949
• The Golden Stallion, Republic, 1949
• Susanna Pass, Republic, 1949
• Twilight in the Sierras, Republic, 1949
• Bells of Coronado, Republic, 1950
• North of the Great Divide, Republic, 1950
• Sunset in the West, Republic, 1950
• Trail of Robin Hood, Republic, 1950
• Trigger, Jr., Republic, 1950
• Heart of the Rockies, Republic, 1951
• In Old Amarillo, Republic, 1951
• Pals of the Golden West, Republic, 1951
• South of Caliente, Republic, 1951
• Spoilers of the Plains, Republic, 1951
• The Gay Ranchero, Republic, 1952
• Roy Barton, Son of Paleface, Paramount, 1952
• Cameo, Alias Jesse James, United Artists, 1959
• Mackintosh, Mackintosh and T. J., Penland Productions, 1975
• It's Showtime, 1976
• Television Appearances
• Series
• Host, The Roy Rogers Show, NBC, 1951-57
• Co-host, The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show, ABC, 1962
• Host, The Great Movie Cowboys, syndicated, 1977
• Other series include Happy Trails with Roy and Dale.
• Miniseries
• A drunk, Kenny Rogers as the Gambler-The Adventure Continues (alsoknown as The Gambler II), CBS, 1983
• Specials
• Host and narrator, Saga of Sonora, NBC, 1973
• Narrator, Mickie Finns Finally Present How the West Was Lost (alsoknown as How the West Was Lost), syndicated, 1975
• Happy Birthday, America, NBC, 1976
• When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion, ABC, 1979
• The Singing Cowboys Ride Again, syndicated, 1982
• Showtime Coast to Coast: American Music, Showtime, 1990
• Randy Travis-Happy Trails, TNN, 1991
• The Republic Pictures Story, American Movie Classics, 1991
• Holiday Greetings from the Ed Sullivan Show, CBS, 1992
• Roy Rogers: King of the Cowboys, American Movie Classics, 1992
• A Tribute to the Singing Cowboy, TNN, 1993
• Bob Hope: The First Ninety Years, NBC, 1993
• "Roy Rogers: An American Hero," Biography, Arts and Entertainment,1995
• America's Music: The Roots of Country, TBS, 1996
• Episodic
• Himself, The Muppet Show, syndicated, 1978
• The Nashville Palace, NBC, 1981
• Awards Presentations
• The 61st Annual Academy Awards Presentation, ABC, 1989
• The 24th Annual Country Music Association Awards, 1990
• The 25th Annual Country Music Association Awards, 1991
• The 34th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1992
• RECORDINGS
• Albums
• Jesus Loves Me, RCA Victor, 1959
• Peter Cottontail, Golden, 1962
• The Bible Tells Me So, Capitol, 1962
• 16 Great Songs of the Old West, Golden, 1963
• Pecos Bill, RCA Camden, 1964
• Lore of the West, Camden, 1966
• Christmas Is Always, Capitol, 1967
• Peter Cottontail and His Friends, Camden, 1968
• A Man from Duck Run, Capitol, 1971
• Take a Little Love, Capitol, 1972
• In the Sweet By and By, Word, 1973
• Good Life, Word, 1977
• Roy Rogers, Columbia, 1984
• Roll on Texas Moon, Bear Family, 1986
• The Best of Roy Rogers, Curb, 1990
• Tribute (includes the song "Hold On Partner"), RCA, 1991
• Country Music Hall of Fame Series, MCA, 1992
• Say Yes to Tomorrow, K-Tel, 1995
• Peace in the Valley, Pair, 1996
• Double Barrel Country, Madacy, 1998
• Other albums include Melody of the Plains, MCA; and Roy Rogersand the Sons of the Pioneers, Varese Saraban. Singles include "Candy Kisses," 1972, "Along the Navajo Trail," "Blue Shadows on the Trail," "Colorado Sunset," "Don't Be Blue, Little Pal," "Don't Blame It All on Me," "Don't FenceMe In," "Don't Waste Your Love on Me," "Down by the Old Alamo," "Dust," "Easter Parade," "A Gay Ranchero," "Headin' for Texas and Home," "Hi-Yo, Silver,""I Hope I'm Not Dreaming Again," "I'm Gonna Gallop to Gallup, New Mexico," "I'm Trusting in You," "I've Sold My Saddle for an Old Guitar," "I Wish I HadNever Met Sunshine," "A Lonely Ranger Am I," "A Man and His Song," "The MailMust Go Through," "Old Fashioned Cowboy," "Old Pioneer," "On the Old SpanishTrail," "Pecos Bill," "Peter Cottontail," "Ridin'," "Ridin' down the Trail,""Rock Me to Sleep in My Saddle," "Roll on Texas Moon," "Ropin'," "San Fernando Valley," "Somebody's Smile," "Sweet Hour of Prayer," "There's a Ranch in the Rockies," "Time Changes Everything," "Trust in Me," "When a Cowboy Sings aSong," "The Yellow Rose of Texas," and "Yesterday." Performed as a vocalist and musician for recordings by others, including Bing Crosby, John Lee Hooker,Randy Travis, Maria Muldaur, Jesse Colin Young, Bonnie Raitt, and Michael Osborn.
• WRITINGS
• (Compiler) Roy Rogers' Album of Cowboy Songs (songbook), Edward B.Marks, 1941
• (Compiler) Roy Rogers' Favorite Cowboy Songs (songbook), Robbins Music, 1943
• Roy Rogers and the Deadly Treasure, Whitman Publishing (Racine, WI), 1947
• (With Frank S. Mead) My Favorite Christmas Story (juvenile), Fleming Revell (Old Tappan, NJ), 1960
• (With Dale Evans and Carlton Stowers) Happy Trails, Word Inc. (Waco, TX), 1979
• (With Evans, Jane Stern, and Michael Stern) Happy Trails: Our Life Story, Simon & Schuster (New York City), 1994
• Songwriter, including the songs "Dusty and Buckeye Cowboy" and "No Bed ofRoses."

Further Reference

Obituaries and Other Sources

• Contemporary Authors, 1985, Volume 112, Gale (Detroit, MI),
• Morris, Georgia, and Mark Pollard, Roy Rogers: King of the Cowboys, 1994, Collins (San Francisco, CA),
• Rogers, Roy, Dale Evans, and Carlton Stowers, Happy Trails, 1979,Word Inc.,
• Rogers, Roy, Dale Evans, Jane Stern, and Michael Stern, Happy Trails:Our Life Story, 1994, Simon & Schuster,
• Roper, William L., Roy Rogers, King of Cowboys, 1971, Denison (Minneapolis, MN),
• Rothel, David, The Roy Rogers Book, 1987, Empire Publishing (Madison, NC),

• Atlantic Monthly, November 1993, p. 46.
• Billboard, July 18, 1998, p. 29.
• Entertainment Weekly, July 17, 1998, p. 16.
• Newsweek, July 20, 1998, p. 63.
• People Weekly, July 20, 1998, p. 94.
• Time, July 20, 1998, p. 21.
• Variety, July 13, 1998, p. 67.*