Roy Rogers
"King of the Cowboys"
Tribute To Roy Rogers
A Look at a real hero and his Womack Connection
Roy Rogers
"King of
the Cowboys"
Roy Rogers, 'King of
the Cowboys,' dead at 86
VICTORVILLE, California (CNN) -- Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys who appeared in more than 100 films and rode atop his trusty horse named Trigger in most of them, singing his theme song "Happy Trails," died Monday morning at the age of 86.
The singing television and movie star passed away at his Apple Valley home after suffering from congestive heart failure, a statement from his publicist said. Funeral services are being planned.
Following news of his death, the entertainment world tried to put in perspective what Rogers stood for in his films and TV shows, and in life.
"He just seemed to be the ultimate good guy," film historian Leonard Maltin told CNN. "He was a good looking man, a good singer. There was just something easy-going and likeable about him."
Born Leonard Slye on November 5, 1911, in Ohio, Rogers worked on his family's farm until 1929. With the Great Depression sweeping the country, Rogers packed up a guitar that he bought for $20 and headed west for Hollywood.
"You couldn't beg, borrow, or steal a job in 1931, 1932," Rogers once said. "It was really tough."
But Rogers survived and thrived. He worked as a truck driver, peach picker and country singer. Forming a band called "Sons of the Pioneers," Rogers enjoyed moderate success, appearing on Los Angeles radio. His big break came in 1937 when he snuck onto the lot of Republic Pictures and landed a $75-a-week contract.
"The funny part of it is, I say I must be where God wants me or I wouldn't be here," he said. "I just got in the door and a hand fell over my shoulder."
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| Rogers rode Trigger in all his films and on his television show | |
Rogers appeared in his first film, "Way Up Thar," in 1935. By the late '30s, he had changed his name to Rogers, was playing himself in each movie -- a singing cowboy in a white hat -- and would soon earn the nickname "King of the Cowboys," a title that, in the eyes of his fans, placed him above his friend and Hollywood cowboy rival Gene Autry.
It was while making the 1944 film "The Cowboy and the Senorita" that Rogers met Dale Evans. They married three years later, 14 months after his first wife, Arlene, died. Evans became the reluctant queen to his cowboy empire.
Through the 1940s and into the 1950s, Rogers career rode the crest of an incredible wave. For 12 straight years he was the No. 1 Western star at the box office in a magazine poll of theater operators. His television series, which ran from 1951 to 1957, and thereafter in reruns, had similar appeal.
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| Rogers with his wife, Dale Evans, who became known as the "Queen of the Cowboys" | |
In films and on TV, Roy Rogers' style of entertainment followed his theme song, "Happy Trails." He played the good guy who would shoot the gun out of the villain's hand, rather than shooting and wounding the villain.
"When I was a boy, our parents taught us that hitting below the belt was a cowardly thing," he once said. "I don't believe this kind of thing is 'entertainment' no matter how you look at it."
In his films, Rogers was often accompanied by his trusty sidekick, bewhiskered George "Gabby" Hayes, and his dog Bullet. Evans often played the female lead.
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| Rogers bought his first guitar for $20, left his parents' farm in Ohio and headed west | |
And then there was Rogers' horse, Trigger, who reached heights of popularity paralleling that of his famous rider. Billed as "the smartest horse in the movies," Trigger often received billing over Evans.
"Cowboys weren't allowed to kiss girls in pictures, so one time I gave Dale a little peck on the forehead and we got a ton of letters to leave that mushy stuff out," Rogers recalled. "So I had to kiss Trigger instead."
Trigger appeared in all the films and TV shows in which Rogers starred. When the horse died in 1965, at age 33, he was stuffed and remained a fixture at Roy and Dale's museum in Apple Valley.
"So many people loved him through the years, that I just didn't have the heart to put him in the ground," Rogers said.
At first, Evans tried to talk Rogers out of it. "I told him, 'OK, when you die I'm going to stuff you and put you on him," she said. Evans later had a change of heart and even had her own horse, Buttermilk, put on display.
The couple spent their later years greeting fans at the museum and enjoying life with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 1993 they were honored for their humanitarian efforts.
Rogers' rodeo grossed $425,000 on a tour of state fairs, and he estimated it cost $30,000 in 1960 just to answer his fan mail.
"I'm an introvert at heart," Rogers once said. "And show business -- even though I've loved it so much -- has always been hard for me."
It made him a millionaire, though. With his wholesome image and shrewd business sense, Rogers made a fortune, becoming second only to Walt Disney in souvenir sales and licensing -- everything from cap pistols to lunch boxes. Nearly 600 restaurants bear his name and have paid him a percentage of the profits. Rogers' estate was once valued at over $100 million.
Rogers is survived by Evans; sons Roy Rogers Jr. and Tom Fox; daughters Cheryl Barnett, Linda Lou Johnson and Dodie Sailors; 15 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
Roy's, Womack Ancestors
Generation No. 1
William Womack was born Abt. 1620 in Possibly Kent, England, and died Bef. 1685 in Bermuda Hundred, Henrico Co., Virginia. He married Mary Allen Abt. 1643 in Henrico Co., Virginia. She was born Abt. 1625 in Possibly, England, and died Bef. 1685 in Bermuda Hundred, Henrico Co., Virginia.
Abraham Womack was born 1644 in Bermuda Hundred, Henrico Co., Virginia, and died Abt. 1733 in Henrico Co., Virginia. He married (1) Sarah Worsham Abt. 1670 in Henrico Co., Virginia, daughter of John Worsham and Elizabeth Littleberry. She was born Abt. 1645 in Henrico Co., Virginia, and died Bef. 1690 in Henrico Co., Virginia. He married (2) Sarah Sumerscales Abt. 1691.
Abraham Womack, Jr. was born Abt. 1673 in Henrico Co., Virginia, and died Abt. 1745 in Dale Parish, Virginia. He married Tabitha Jane Hudson Abt. 1690. She was born Abt. 1675.
Generation No. 4
William Womack was born Abt. 1691 in Goochland Co., Virginia, and died Abt. 1762 in Goochland Co., Virginia. He married Mary C. Woodson 1709 in Goochland Co., Virginia, daughter of Joseph Woodson. She was born Abt. 1690 in Goochland Co., Virginia, and died Abt. 1758 in Goochland Co., Virginia.
Generation No. 5
William Womack II, was born 1715 in Henrico Co., Virginia, and died September 26, 1791 in Cumberland Co., Virginia. He married Martha 1735. She was born Abt. 1718.
Generation No. 6
William Womack III, was born January 26, 1735/36 in Halifax Co., Virginia, and died December 17, 1819 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia. He married Mary Allen October 17, 1762 in Halifax Co., Virginia, daughter of James Allen. She was born June 15, 1746 in Virginia, and died June 08, 1816 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia.
James Tignal Womack, was born 1770 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia, and died April 26, 1827 in Pactolus, Kentucky. He married Nancy Rudder July 07, 1795 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia, daughter of Samuel Rudder. She was born Abt. 1775 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia, and died in Kentucky.
William Womack, was born 1809 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia, and died in Kentucky. He married Jacintha Kibbey December 29, 1829 in Greenup Co., Kentucky. She was born 1812 in Greenup Co., Kentucky, and died in Kentucky.
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Generation No. 9
Archer Womack, was born July 1839 in Carter Co., Kentucky, and died July 28, 1919 in Pike Co., Kentucky. He married Patty Hatchett Abt. 1865 in Virginia. She was born Abt. 1845, and died Bef. 1900 in Carter Co., Kentucky.
Archer Womack: served in the Confederate Calvary during the Civil War, he met Patty while recouperating from a wound he had received in battle. She was a nurse in one of the field hospitals. They lived on a tobacco farm near Pactolus, Kentucky.
Children of Archer Womack and Patty Hatchett are:
i. Egbert10 Womack, born March 01, 1867 in Carter Co., KY; died April 12, 1943 in Portland, OR. He married Ida S. Gilbert April 03, 1894; born Abt. 1874; died in Portland, OR.
ii. Annie Womack, born Abt. 1870.
iii. Fannie Womack, born Abt. 1875.
iv. Mattie Womack, born March 1882 in Pactolus, Kentucky; died November 03, 1958 in California. She married Andrew E. Slye July 29, 1905 in Carter Co., Kentucky; born August 1882 in Portsmouth, Ohio.
v. Dixie Womack, born June 1884 in Carter County, Kentucky. She married Albert S. Johnson April 22, 1902.
vi. Lee Womack, born Abt. 1886.
Generation No. 10
Mattie Womack, was born March 1882 in Pactolus, Kentucky, and died November 03, 1958 in California. She married Andrew E. Slye July 29, 1905 in Carter Co., Kentucky, son of Alonzo Slye and Mary Wessel. He was born August 1882 in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Generation No. 11
Leonard Frank Slye
"Roy Rogers"Leonard Frank Slye, was born November 05, 1911 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and died 1998. He married (1) Arlene Wilkins 1936 in Roswell, NM. She died 1946. He married (2) Frances Octavia Smith "Dale Evans" December 21, 1947 in Davis, Oklahoma
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