Roy Rogers
King of the Cowboys
Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye; November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998), nicknamed the King of the Cowboys, was an American actor, singer, television host, and rodeo performer. After early work under his birth name as a co-founder of the Sons of the Pioneers and a bit-part actor, he rebranded himself and rose to become one of the most iconic and beloved Western stars of his era. He appeared in nearly ninety motion pictures and starred in his own self-titled radio program for nine years. From 1951 to 1957, he hosted *The Roy Rogers Show* on television. In these productions, he was frequently joined by his wife, Dale Evans; his Golden Palomino horse, Trigger; and his German Shepherd, Bullet. His signature song, “Happy Trails,” remains widely recognized. His early film roles were uncredited parts in Gene Autry films, and his later productions often featured a sidekick such as Pat Brady, Andy Devine, George “Gabby” Hayes, or Smiley Burnette. Rogers is the only country singer inducted twice into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Alongside Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, and Tony Martin, he received four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with the last one honoring the Sons of the Pioneers. In his later years, he lent his name to the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchise chain. Born Leonard Franklin Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Mattie and Andrew “Andy” Slye, he grew up in a tenement on 2nd Street. The family later moved to a houseboat on the Ohio River and eventually settled on a farm near Lucasville, Ohio. There, young Len learned horsemanship, yodeling, and mandolin, often entertaining neighbors at square dances. He left high school after two years to work in a shoe factory with his father. The family moved to California in 1930, where Len worked as a truck driver and fruit picker before beginning his music career. After auditioning for a radio program in Inglewood, he joined the Rocky Mountaineers in 1931. He later formed the Pioneers Trio with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer, which evolved into the Sons of the Pioneers.
- born
- November 5, 1911
- died
- July 6, 1998
- field
- Actor, singer, television host, rodeo performer
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Singing cowboy films, The Roy Rogers Show, signature song 'Happy Trails'
Lore & Background
Rogers was born Leonard Franklin Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Mattie (née Womack) and Andrew 'Andy' Slye. The family lived in a tenement on 2nd Street, where Riverfront Stadium was later constructed. He had three sisters: Kathleen, Mary, and Cleda. In July 1912, the family traveled up the Ohio River toward Portsmouth on a houseboat. After the Great Flood of 1913, they moved the houseboat onto their land in Portsmouth. In 1919, they purchased a farm in Duck Run, near Lucasville, Ohio. Rogers attended high school in McDermott, Ohio, but quit after his second year to work in a shoe factory. He later moved to California in 1930. He co-founded the Sons of the Pioneers and became a famous Western star. He appeared in almost 90 motion pictures and hosted The Roy Rogers Show from 1951 to 1957. He appeared with his wife, Dale Evans; his horse, Trigger; and his dog, Bullet. His signature song was 'Happy Trails'. He was the only country singer to be inducted twice into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He has four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the last of which included the Sons of the Pioneers. In his later years, he lent his name to the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchise.
Reader's Guide
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye, co-founded the vocal group the Sons of the Pioneers before rebranding as a solo Western star. He appeared in nearly ninety motion pictures and hosted a nine-year radio program, followed by *The Roy Rogers Show* television series from 1951 to 1957. His films and shows frequently featured his wife, Dale Evans; his Golden Palomino, Trigger; and his German Shepherd, Bullet. His signature song was "Happy Trails." Early in his acting career, he took uncredited roles in films starring fellow singing cowboy Gene Autry. His productions typically included a sidekick, such as Pat Brady, Andy Devine, George "Gabby" Hayes, or Smiley Burnette. Rogers is the only country singer inducted twice into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Alongside Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, and Tony Martin, he received four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the last of which honored the Sons of the Pioneers. In his later years, he lent his name to the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchise chain. His early life included learning horsemanship on a farm in Duck Run, Ohio, where he also learned to yodel and call square dances. He quit school to help support his family, working in a shoe factory and later driving gravel trucks before pursuing music.
Did You Know?
- Roy Rogers was born on 2nd Street in Cincinnati, where Riverfront Stadium was later built.
- He co-founded the Sons of the Pioneers, a famous Western music group.
- He appeared in almost 90 motion pictures and hosted a TV series from 1951 to 1957.
- He was the only country singer inducted twice into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- He has four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one of which includes the Sons of the Pioneers.
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