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INFORMATION FROM IMDb
Date of birth (location)
5 November 1911
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Date of death (details)
6 July 1998
Apple Valley, California, USA. (congestive heart failure)
Sometimes Credited As:
King of the Cowboys / Roy Rogers and Dale Evans / Len Slye / Leonard Slye / Roy Rogers and Trigger / Dick Weston
Birth name
Leonard Franklin Slye
Nickname
Buck
King of the West
King of the Cowboys
Spouse
Dale Evans (31 December 1947 - 6 July 1998) (his death)
Arline Wilkins (14 June 1936 - 3 November 1946) (her death) 3 children
Lucile Ascolese (8 May 1933 - 8 June 1936) (divorced)
Trivia
His dog's name was Bullet and appeared in almost as many of his films as did Trigger .
Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980 as a member of the 'Sons of the Pioneers' and elected again in 1988 as Roy Rogers.
Nicknames: Roy Rogers "King of the Cowboys", Dale Evans "Queen of the West", Trigger "Smartest Horse in the Movies"
There is a Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Museum at Branson, Missouri.
Roy got his horse Trigger in 1938 and rode him in every one of his films and TV shows after that. He had appeared in one earlier movie, being ridden by Olivia de Havilland in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938). Trigger died in 1965 aged thirty-three.
Roy's theme song, "Happy Trails", was written by Dale Evans.
He had two children and 1 adopted daughter with Arlene Wilkins.
He and Dale adopted 4 children. One of his and Dale's daughters died in a bus wreck in Aug. 1964. One adopted son choked to death in Nov. 1965.
The little town of Portsmouth, Ohio (USA) also claims to be the hometown of Roy. They also have a little museum with mementoes and hoofprints of Trigger, handprints of Roy and Dusty in the sidewalk in front of the museum. Every year they had a Roy Rogers Day and Roy or Dusty would make an appearance.
Once received 78,852 fan letters in a single month.
Star of Mutual (1944-1951) and NBC Radio's (1951-1955) "The Roy Rogers Show."
His guest-appearance on the Wonder Woman television series in 1977 reflected his real life as the character he played was a western man who had adopted several children. Roy's conservative side showed through though when he insisted with producers that in order for him to agree to do the episode series star Lynda Carter needed to wear more clothing than the 'bathing suit' she normally wore. Rogers won out and Lynda was obligated to wear a sleeved solid red top and white chino pants.
Inducted (with his wife Dale Evans) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1976.
Inducted (as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1995.
When Leonard Slye needed a 'white hat' stage name, he chose to use the name of his childhood dentist from his Ohio hometown. The Dentist Roy Rodgers had a son and grandson who also share his name.
Was a Master Mason. In other words, he a good man who became a member of the Masonic Fraternity.
He was a firm believer in our 2nd Amendment Rights, and in fact appeared in TV commercials as an NRA spokesman, opposing a proposed gun ban in California.
Once lived next door to actor Val Kilmer (when Val was a child). When Roy moved, the Kilmer's later moved into to his old ranch. Then, in 1999, Val led Trigger's grandson on stage at the 1999 Academy Awards in honor of Roy Rogers.
Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 522-525. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
When Leonard Slye needed a 'white hat' stage name, he chose to use the name of his childhood dentist from his Ohio hometown. The Dentist Roy Rogers had a son grandson, and great grandson who also share his name.
Arline Wilkins, Roy's second wife, died a few days after giving birth to her and Roy's son, Roy Jr (Dusty). She had complications from the cesarean - and a blood clot formed and traveled to her brain and killed her. Dale Evans, Roy's third wife, became Roy's children's Mom when Dusty was 15 months old. He and Arline had three children, two girls and Dusty.
Personal quotes
"If there were no valleys of sadness and death, we could never really appreciate the sunshine of happiness on the mountain top."
"When I die, just skin me out and put me up on old Trigger and I'll be happy."
Salary
Under Western Stars (1938) $75/week
Mini biography
Roy Rogers (born Leonard Slye) moved to California in 1930, aged 18. He played in such musical groups as The Hollywood Hillbillies, Rocky Mountaineers, Texas Outlaws, and his own group, the International Cowboys. In 1934 he formed a group with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer called Sons of the Pioneers. While in that group he was known as Leonard Slye, then Dick Weston, and finally Roy Rogers. Their songs included "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds". They first appeared in the western Rhythm on the Range (1936), starring Bing Crosby and Martha Raye. In 1937 Rogers went solo, and made his first starring film in 1938, Under Western Stars (1938). He made almost 100 films. "The Roy Rogers Show" (1951) ran on CBS from October 1951 through September 1964.
IMDb mini-biography by
Ed Stephan
Biography
from Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia:
The "King of the Cowboys," a star of more than 90 feature-length Westerns and more than 100 half-hour TV shows, remains one of the most beloved figures in show business. A shy, unassuming man whose self-deprecating humor makes him even more appealing in person, Rogers was one of the few cowboy heroes who "crossed over" into mainstream Hollywood: His pictures played major-circuit theaters and he was among the movie industry's topgrossing stars for several years. Born into humble surroundings, he left Ohio in 1929 for California, where he worked as a transient fruit picker before forming a musical group, "The Rocky Mountaineers," with several friends. Evolving into "The Sons of the Pioneers," the group sang Western songs on radio and, beginning in 1935, in films-the Thelma Todd/Patsy Kelly short Slightly Static and a feature called The Old Homestead. In 1936, billed as Dick Weston, he appeared with the Sons in The Old Corral one of Gene Autry's musical Westerns, which put the newly formed Republic Pictures on the Hollywood map.
When Autry went on strike for more money in 1938, Republic held auditions for a replacement, and Westonrechristened Roy Rogers-got the job. His first starring film, Under Western Stars (1938), was an instant smash, and an eyeopener to the Republic brass; although Autry was quick to compromise with studio management, Rogers was retained to star in a competing series. He made eight Westerns per season, playing historical figures in Billy the Kid Returns (1938), Young Buffalo Bill, Young Bill Hickok (both 1940), and Jesse James at Bay (1941), among others. He rode a magnificent palomino stallion initially named Golden Cloud (who'd carried Olivia de Havilland in The Adventures of Robin Hood but renamed Trigger for Roy's films, and was usually accompanied by grizzled sidekick George "Gabby" Hayes.
After Autry went into the Army in 1942, the studio bought hit tunes and promoted bigger budgets for Rogers' vehicles, beginning with Heart of the Golden West (1942). Now backed up by his old friends, the Sons of the Pioneers, and given top production backing, Roy became the screen's top Western star and won the "King of the Cowboys" title. Roy's status was confirmed by a guest appearance (with Trigger) in the all-star Warner Bros. feature Hollywood Canteen (1944), and in the Walt Disney feature Melody Time (1948), in which he and the Sons of the Pioneers sang and told the story (animated by Disney) of "Pecos Bill." In the mid 1940s, the Rogers films eschewed traditional Western plot lines and action sequences in favor of elaborate musical presentations, reflecting Republic president Herbert Yates' infatuation with the Broadway production of "Oklahoma!"; The Cowboy and the Senorita (1944) first teamed Rogers with Dale Evans, then a feisty blonde who often played a "city gal" initially at odds with Roy. She appeared in many of his top 1940s pictures, including Lights of Old Santa Fe (also 1944), Don't Fence Me In (one of Roy's highest-grossing, and best-remembered, series Westerns), Along the Navajo Trail (both 1945), My Pal Trigger and Roll On, Texas Moon (both 1946). Roy, a widower, married Dale in 1947.
By the late 1940s, a new production team had invigorated the series with color photography, more adult plot lines, and an almost sadistic emphasis on violent action. The Sons of the Pioneers left, and were replaced by Foy Willing's Riders of the Purple Sage. When Gabby Hayes departed in 1947, a succession of sidekicksincluding Andy Devine, Gordon Jones, and Pinky Lee-provided comedy relief. Roy's last Republic Western, Pals of the Golden West was released in 1951, and, aside from costarring with Bob Hope in Son of Paleface (1952)-and making a gag cameo in the comedian's Alias Jesse James (1959)-he confined most of his energies to his long-running TV show (1951-57), personal appearances, and recording career. Roy appeared in a moderndress Western, Mackintosh and T.J in 1975; it was a pleasant but decidedly unexciting "comeback" for the King of the Cowboys. Roy also lent his name to a chain of fast-food restaurants, eventually bought by the Marriott Corporation, and made frequent personal appearances at the openings. Open-heart surgery and other health problems curtailed his workload in the 1980s, but in 1987 he and Dale taped a series of reminiscences to introduce their old movies for cable TV, and in 1991 he was prevailed upon to record a new album, called "Tribute," which served as a valedictory for his career. He and Dale regularly welcome visitors to their homey museum in Victorville, California. Their joint autobiography, "The Story of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans: Happy Trails," was published in 1979.
Copyright © 1994 Leonard Maltin, used by arrangement with Signet, a division of Penguin Putnam, Inc.
Filmography
Actor
1. "Wonder Woman"
... aka The New Adventures of Wonder Woman (USA: new title)
... aka The New Original Wonder Woman (USA: first episodes title)
- The Bushwhackers (1977) TV Episode .... J.P. Hadley
2. Mackintosh and T.J. (1975) .... Mackintosh
3. Saga of Sonora (1973) (TV)
4. "The Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Show" (1962) TV Series .... Co-host (1962-63)
5. "The Bell Telephone Hour"
- Designs in Music (1961) TV Episode
6. Alias Jesse James (1959) (uncredited) .... Roy Rogers
7. "The Roy Rogers Show" .... Roy Rogers
- Johnny Rover (1957) TV Episode .... Roy Rogers
- Brady's Bonanza (1957) TV Episode .... Roy Rogers
- Portrait of Murder (1957) TV Episode .... Roy Rogers
- Accessory to Crime (1957) TV Episode .... Roy Rogers
- High Stakes (1957) TV Episode .... Roy Rogers
(95 more)
8. Son of Paleface (1952) .... Roy Barton
9. Pals of the Golden West (1951) .... Border Patrolman Roy Rogers
10. South of Caliente (1951) .... Roy Rogers
11. In Old Amarillo (1951) .... Roy Rogers
12. Heart of the Rockies (1951) .... Roy Rogers
13. Spoilers of the Plains (1951) .... Roy Rogers
14. Trail of Robin Hood (1950) .... Roy Rogers
15. North of the Great Divide (1950) .... Roy Rogers
16. Sunset in the West (1950) .... Roy Rogers
17. Trigger, Jr. (1950) .... Roy Rogers
18. Twilight in the Sierras (1950) .... State Parole Officer Roy Rogers
19. Bells of Coronado (1950) .... Roy Rogers
20. The Golden Stallion (1949) .... Roy Rogers
21. Down Dakota Way (1949) .... Roy Rogers
22. Susanna Pass (1949) .... Roy Rogers
23. The Far Frontier (1948) .... Roy Rogers
24. Grand Canyon Trail (1948) .... Roy Rogers
25. Night Time in Nevada (1948) .... Roy Rogers
26. Eyes of Texas (1948) .... U.S. Marshal Roy Rogers
27. Under California Stars (1948) .... Roy Rogers
... aka Under California Skies
28. The Gay Ranchero (1948) .... Sheriff Roy Rogers
29. Pecos Bill (1948) .... Roy Rogers
30. On the Old Spanish Trail (1947) .... Roy Rogers
31. Springtime in the Sierras (1947) .... Roy Rogers
... aka Song of the Sierra
32. Bells of San Angelo (1947) .... Roy Rogers
33. Apache Rose (1947) .... Roy Rogers
34. Heldorado (1946) .... Nevada State Ranger Roy Rogers
... aka Helldorado
35. Out California Way (1946) .... Roy Rogers
36. Home in Oklahoma (1946) .... Roy Rogers
37. Roll on Texas Moon (1946) .... Roy Rogers
38. Under Nevada Skies (1946) .... Roy Rogers
39. My Pal Trigger (1946) .... Roy Rogers
40. Rainbow Over Texas (1946) .... Roy Rogers
41. Song of Arizona (1946) .... Roy Rogers
42. Don't Fence Me In (1945) .... Roy Rogers
43. Sunset in El Dorado (1945) .... Roy Rogers
44. Along the Navajo Trail (1945) .... Roy Rogers
45. The Man from Oklahoma (1945) .... Roy Rogers
46. Bells of Rosarita (1945) .... Roy Rogers
47. Where Do We Go from Here? (1945) (scenes deleted)
48. Utah (1945) .... Roy Rogers
49. Hollywood Canteen (1944) (as Roy Rogers and Trigger) .... Roy Rogers
50. Lights of Old Santa Fe (1944) .... Roy Rogers
51. San Fernando Valley (1944) .... Roy Rogers
52. Song of Nevada (1944) .... Roy Rogers
53. The Yellow Rose of Texas (1944) .... Roy Rogers
54. Cowboy and the Senorita (1944) .... Roy Rogers
55. Hands Across the Border (1944) .... Roy Rogers
56. The Man from Music Mountain (1943) .... Roy Rogers
... aka Texas Legionnaires
57. Silver Spurs (1943) .... Roy Rogers
58. Song of Texas (1943) .... Roy Rogers
59. King of the Cowboys (1943) .... Roy Rogers
60. Idaho (1943) .... Roy Rogers
61. Ridin' Down the Canyon (1942) .... Roy Rogers
62. Heart of the Golden West (1942) .... Roy Rogers
63. Sunset Serenade (1942) .... Roy Rogers
64. Sons of the Pioneers (1942) .... Roy Rogers
65. Romance on the Range (1942) .... Roy Rogers
66. Sunset on the Desert (1942) .... Roy Rogers & Deputy Bill Sloan
67. South of Santa Fe (1942) .... Roy Rogers
68. Man from Cheyenne (1942) .... Roy Rogers
69. Red River Valley (1941) .... Roy Rogers
70. Jesse James at Bay (1941) .... Jesse James/Clint Burns
71. Bad Man of Deadwood (1941) .... Brett Starr aka Bill Brady
72. Nevada City (1941) .... Jeff Connors
73. Sheriff of Tombstone (1941) .... Brett Starr
74. In Old Cheyenne (1941) .... Steve Blane
75. Arkansas Judge (1941) .... Tom Martel
... aka False Witness (UK)
76. Robin Hood of the Pecos (1941) .... Vance Corbin
77. The Border Legion (1940) .... Dr. Stephen Kellogg, aka Steve Kells
... aka West of the Badlands (USA: TV title)
78. Young Bill Hickok (1940) .... 'Wild' Bill Hickok
79. Colorado (1940) .... Lieutenant Jerry Burke
80. The Ranger and the Lady (1940) .... Texas Ranger Captain Roy Colt
81. The Carson City Kid (1940) .... The Carson City Kid
82. Young Buffalo Bill (1940) .... Bill Cody
83. Dark Command (1940) .... Fletcher 'Fletch' McCloud
84. Days of Jesse James (1939) .... Roy Rogers
85. Saga of Death Valley (1939) .... Roy Rogers
86. Jeepers Creepers (1939/I) .... Roy
... aka Money Isn't Everything (UK)
87. The Arizona Kid (1939) .... Roy Rogers/The Arizona Kid
88. Wall Street Cowboy (1939) .... Rancher Roy Rogers
89. In Old Caliente (1939) .... Roy Rogers
90. Frontier Pony Express (1939) .... Pony Express Rider Roy Rogers
91. Southward Ho (1939) .... Roy
92. Rough Riders' Round-up (1939) .... Roy Rogers
93. Shine On, Harvest Moon (1938) .... Roy Rogers
94. Come On, Rangers (1938) .... Roy Rogers
95. Billy the Kid Returns (1938) .... Roy Rogers/Billy the Kid
96. Under Western Stars (1938) .... Roy Rogers
97. The Old Barn Dance (1938) (as Dick Weston) .... Singer
98. Wild Horse Rodeo (1937) (as Dick Weston) .... Singer
99. The Old Wyoming Trail (1937) (uncredited) .... Guitar player/Singer/Cowhand Len
100. The Old Corral (1936/I) (uncredited) .... Buck O'Keefe
... aka Texas Serenade (UK)
101. The Big Show (1936) (uncredited) .... Sons of the Pioneers guitar player
102. California Mail (1936) (uncredited) .... Square Dance Caller & Guitarist
103. Rhythm on the Range (1936) (uncredited) .... Leonard (Sons of the Pioneers)
104. Song of the Saddle (1936) (uncredited) .... Sons of the Pioneers Guitarist
105. The Mysterious Avenger (1936) (as Len Slye) .... Musician Len
106. Gallant Defender (1935) (uncredited) .... Nester (Sons of the Pioneers)
107. Way Up Thar (1935) (as Leonard Slye) .... Band Member
108. The Old Homestead (1935) (as Leonard Slye) .... Sons of the Pioneers
109. Slightly Static (1935) (uncredited) .... Member of Sons of the Pioneers
Composer
1. The Man from Rainbow Valley (1946) (uncredited)
2. Romance on the Range (1942) (song "Rocky Mountain Lullaby")
3. South of Santa Fe (1942) (song "South of Santa Fe")
4. Young Bill Hickok (1940) (song "I'll Keep On Singin' A Song")
5. Rough Riders' Round-up (1939) (song "Ridin' Down the Trail") (uncredited)
6. Shine On, Harvest Moon (1938) (song "The Man in the Moon is a Cowhand") (uncredited)
Miscellaneous Crew
1. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) (singer: "Jingle Bells")
Producer
1. "The Roy Rogers Show" (1951) TV Series (executive producer)
Himself
1. All My Friends Are Cowboys (1998) .... Himself
2. Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys (1992) .... Himself
3. "The Fall Guy"
- King of the Cowboys (1984) TV Episode .... Himself
- Happy Trails (1983) TV Episode .... Himself
4. Cowboys of the Saturday Matinee (1984) (V)
5. "Disneyland"
... aka Disney's Wonderful World (USA: new title)
... aka The Disney Sunday Movie (USA: new title)
... aka The Magical World of Disney (USA: new title)
... aka The Wonderful World of Disney (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney Presents (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (USA: new title)
- Mickey's 50 (1978) TV Episode .... Himself
- Disneyland, the Park/Pecos Bill (1957) TV Episode .... Himself
6. "The Muppet Show"
- Episode #3.22 (1978) TV Episode .... Himself
7. "The Mike Douglas Show"
- Episode dated 26 July 1977 (1977) TV Episode .... Himself
8. "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson"
... aka The Best of Carson (USA: rerun title)
- Episode dated 24 September 1976 (1976) TV Episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 29 June 1976 (1976) TV Episode .... Himself
9. "The Hollywood Squares"
- Episode dated 30 August 1976 (1976) TV Episode
10. "Toast of the Town"
... aka The Ed Sullivan Show (new title)
- Episode #23.27 (1970) TV Episode (as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans) .... Himself - Singer
- Episode #23.15 (1970) TV Episode (as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans) .... Himself - Singer
- Episode #6.2 (1952) TV Episode .... Himself
11. "The Hollywood Palace"
- Episode #7.15 (1970) TV Episode (as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans) .... Himself - Singer
- Episode #7.5 (1969) TV Episode (as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans) .... Himself - Host/Singer
- Episode #7.1 (1969) TV Episode .... Himself - Cameo
- Episode #6.15 (1969) TV Episode .... Himself - Host/Singer
- Episode #4.28 (1967) TV Episode (as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans) .... Himself - Singer
(3 more)
12. "Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters"
- Episode dated 24 October 1969 (1969) TV Episode .... Himself
13. "The Andy Williams Show"
- Episode dated 27 September 1969 (1969) TV Episode .... Himself
14. Johnny Cash! The Man, His World, His Music (1969) (uncredited) .... Himself
15. "The Dean Martin Show"
... aka The Dean Martin Comedy Hour (new title)
- Episode dated 28 September 1967 (1967) TV Episode .... Himself
16. "The Andy Williams Show"
- Episode dated 11 September 1966 (1966) TV Episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 27 September 1965 (1965) TV Episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 26 October 1964 (1964) TV Episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 10 December 1963 (1963) TV Episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 28 February 1963 (1963) TV Episode .... Himself
17. "The Bell Telephone Hour"
- The American Song (1965) TV Episode .... Himself
18. "I've Got a Secret"
- Episode dated 4 December 1961 (1961) TV Episode .... Himself
19. "What's My Line?"
- Episode dated 28 September 1958 (1958) TV Episode .... Mystery Guest
- Episode dated 26 September 1954 (1954) TV Episode .... Mystery Guest
20. "The Perry Como Show"
... aka Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (USA: new title)
... aka The Chesterfield Supper Club
- Episode dated 26 October 1957 (1957) TV Episode .... Himself
21. "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show"
... aka The Dinah Shore Show (USA: sixth season title)
- Episode dated 16 December 1956 (1956) TV Episode .... Himself
22. Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Small Fry (1956) .... Himself
23. Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Bronc Busters (1955) .... Himself
24. Screen Snapshots: Hollywood's Invisible Man (1954) .... Himself
25. "This Is Your Life"
- Roy Rogers (1953) TV Episode .... Himself
26. Melody Time (1948) .... Himself, Roy Rogers
27. Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Cowboys (1947) .... Himself
28. Hit Parade of 1947 (1947) .... Himself, Roy Rogers
... aka High and Happy (USA: TV title)
29. Lake Placid Serenade (1944) (as King of the Cowboys) .... Himself, Roy Rogers
... aka Winter Serenade (USA: reissue title)
30. Brazil (1944) (as King of the Cowboys) .... Himself, Roy Rogers
... aka Stars and Guitars (USA: reissue title)
31. Picture People No. 2: Hollywood Sports (1941) .... Himself
32. Meet the Stars: Meet Roy Rogers (1941) .... Himself
... aka Meet Roy Rogers (USA: short title)
33. Rodeo Dough (1940) .... Himself
34. Meet the Stars: Cowboy Jubilee (1940) .... Himself
35. Screen Snapshots: Seeing Hollywood (1940) .... Himself (Rose Bowl Parade Participant)
36. The Star Reporter in Hollywood Number Two (1937) .... Himself (member, Sons of the Pioneers)
Archive Footage
1. Christmas from Hollywood (2003) (V) .... Himself
2. Steal This Movie (2000) (uncredited) .... Himself
3. Hollywood on Parade (1990) (V) .... Himself
4. Muppet Video: Country Music with the Muppets (1985) (V) .... Himself
5. It's Showtime (1976)
6. The Sound of Laughter (1963) .... Hillbilly guitarist (edited from: Way Up Thar)
Watch Roy Rogers Full Movies, Clips and Trailers in:-
Roy's Video Gallery
Here's one of them:-
King of the Cowboys
Reply With Quote
..
Well, at least one thing, if I ever want to go there again (which I do) I live a bit closer to it this time. 
Originally Posted by chester7777
