Born: November 5, 1911 – Died: July 6, 1998
Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, rode onto the silver screen and into American hearts. Born as Leonard Slye on November 5, 1911, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he hailed from humble beginnings with his parents working as a shoe factory worker and a homemaker, and his three siblings by his side. He would later become a symbol of the Old West, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career
Growing up, Rogers developed a love for horses and singing, which would later define his career. After moving to California in 1930, he picked fruit and drove a truck to make ends meet. His foray into music began with groups like The Hollywood Hillbillies. In 1934, his musical path took a pivotal turn when he joined Bob Nolan to form the Sons of the Pioneers, known for hits like "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds." His first taste of the screen came in 1935, but it was the film "Under Western Stars" in 1938 that launched him as a star.
Rogers won the hearts of audiences as a singing cowboy, and his show, "The Roy Rogers Show," dominated the airwaves from the early '50s into the '60s. His accolades include numerous Western Heritage Awards and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Away from the limelight, Roy Rogers was a family man, married three times and father to several children, a skilled businessman, and a philanthropist with a significant impact on children's charities.
Rogers was not just an actor; he was a symbol of American values and western folklore. His legacy endures through his films, music, and the happy trails he left for generations to follow. His unique blend of charisma, moral integrity, and musical talent makes him a timeless icon during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Zero to Hero | Video |
| 1983–1984 | The Fall Guy (TV Series) | Roy Rogers |
| 1982 | Good News for You in 1982 (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1979 | The Christmas Songs (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1977 | Wonder Woman (TV Series) | J.P. Hadley |
| 1975 | Mackintosh and T.J. | Mackintosh |
| 1973 | Saga of Sonora (TV Movie) | Roy |
| 1968 | The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series) | Dude Ranch Owner |
| 1959 | Alias Jesse James | Roy Rogers (uncredited) |
| 1951–1957 | The Roy Rogers Show (TV Series) | Roy Rogers | Deputy Roy Rogers | Sheriff Roy Rogers |
| 1952 | Son of Paleface | Roy Barton |
| 1952 | Screen Snapshots: Hollywood on the Ball (Short) | Roy Rogers |
| 1951 | Pals of the Golden West | Roy Rogers |
| 1951 | South of Caliente | Roy Rogers |
| 1951 | In Old Amarillo | Roy Rogers |
| 1951 | Heart of the Rockies | Roy Rogers |
| 1951 | Spoilers of the Plains | Roy Rogers |
| 1950 | Trail of Robin Hood | Roy Rogers |
| 1950 | North of the Great Divide | Roy Rogers |
| 1950 | Sunset in the West | Roy Rogers |
| 1950 | Trigger, Jr. | Roy Rogers |
| 1950 | Twilight in the Sierras | Roy Rogers |
| 1950 | Bells of Coronado | Roy Rogers |
| 1949 | The Golden Stallion | Roy Rogers |
| 1949 | Down Dakota Way | Roy Rogers |
| 1949 | Screen Snapshots 1860: Howdy, Podner (Short) | Roy Rogers |
| 1949 | Susanna Pass | Roy Rogers |
| 1948 | The Far Frontier | Roy Rogers |
| 1948 | Grand Canyon Trail | Roy Rogers |
| 1948 | Nighttime in Nevada | Roy Rogers |
| 1948 | Eyes of Texas | Marshal Roy Rogers |
| 1948 | Pecos Bill (Short) | Roy Rogers |
| 1948 | Melody Time | Roy Rogers | Narrator (segment "Pecos Bill") |
| 1948 | Under California Stars | Roy Rogers |
| 1948 | The Gay Ranchero | Sheriff Roy Rogers |
| 1947 | On the Old Spanish Trail | Roy Rogers |
| 1947 | Springtime in the Sierras | Roy Rogers |
| 1947 | Bells of San Angelo | Roy Rogers |
| 1947 | Hit Parade of 1947 | Roy Rogers |
| 1947 | Apache Rose | Roy Rogers |
| 1946 | Heldorado | Nevada State Ranger Roy Rogers |
| 1946 | Out California Way | Roy Rogers |
| 1946 | Home in Oklahoma | Roy Rogers |
| 1946 | Roll on Texas Moon | Roy Rogers |
| 1946 | Under Nevada Skies | Roy Rogers |
| 1946 | My Pal Trigger | Roy Rogers |
| 1946 | Rainbow Over Texas | Roy Rogers |
| 1946 | Song of Arizona | Roy Rogers |
| 1945 | Don't Fence Me In | Roy Rogers |
| 1945 | Sunset in El Dorado | Roy Rogers |
| 1945 | Along the Navajo Trail | Roy Rogers |
| 1945 | Man from Oklahoma | Roy Rogers |
| 1945 | Bells of Rosarita | Roy Rogers |
| 1945 | Utah | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | Lake Placid Serenade | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | Hollywood Canteen | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | Brazil | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | Lights of Old Santa Fe | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | San Fernando Valley | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | Song of Nevada | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | The Yellow Rose of Texas | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | Cowboy and the Senorita | Roy Rogers |
| 1944 | Hands Across the Border | Roy Rogers |
| 1943 | Man from Music Mountain | Roy Rogers |
| 1943 | Silver Spurs | Roy Rogers |
| 1943 | Song of Texas | Roy Rogers |
| 1943 | King of the Cowboys | Roy Rogers |
| 1943 | Idaho | Roy Rogers |
| 1942 | Ridin' Down the Canyon | Roy Rogers |
| 1942 | Heart of the Golden West | Roy Rogers |
| 1942 | Sunset Serenade | Roy Rogers |
| 1942 | Sons of the Pioneers | Roy Rogers |
| 1942 | Romance on the Range | Roy Rogers |
| 1942 | Sunset on the Desert | Roy Rogers | Bill Sloan |
| 1942 | South of Santa Fe | Roy Rogers |
| 1942 | Man from Cheyenne | Roy Rogers |
| 1941 | Red River Valley | Roy Rogers |
| 1941 | Jesse James at Bay | Jesse James | Clint Burns |
| 1941 | Bad Man of Deadwood | Brett Starr aka Bill Brady |
| 1941 | Nevada City | Jeff Connors |
| 1941 | Sheriff of Tombstone | Brett Starr |
| 1941 | In Old Cheyenne | Steve Blane |
| 1941 | Arkansas Judge | Tom Martel |
| 1941 | Robin Hood of the Pecos | Vance Corbin |
| 1940 | The Border Legion | Dr. Stephen Kellogg, aka Steve Kells |
| 1940 | Rodeo Dough (Short) | Roy Rogers |
| 1940 | Young Bill Hickok | Wild Bill Hickok |
| 1940 | Colorado | Jerry Burke |
| 1940 | The Ranger and the Lady | Texas Ranger Captain Roy Colt |
| 1940 | The Carson City Kid | Roy Rogers akaThe Carson City Kid |
| 1940 | Young Buffalo Bill | Bill Cody |
| 1940 | Dark Command | Fletch McCloud |
| 1939 | Days of Jesse James | Roy Rogers |
| 1939 | Saga of Death Valley | Roy Rogers - aka Roy Reynolds |
| 1939 | Jeepers Creepers | Sheriff Roy Rogers |
| 1939 | The Arizona Kid | Roy Rogers |
| 1939 | Wall Street Cowboy | Roy Rogers |
| 1939 | In Old Caliente | Roy Rogers |
| 1939 | Frontier Pony Express | Pony Express Rider Roy Rogers |
| 1939 | Southward Ho! | Roy Rogers |
| 1939 | Rough Riders' Round-up | Roy Rogers |
| 1938 | Shine on Harvest Moon | Roy Rogers |
| 1938 | Come on, Rangers! | Roy Rogers |
| 1938 | A Feud There Was (Short) | Elmer Fudd, Peacemaker (Egghead) (singing voice, uncredited) |
| 1938 | Billy the Kid Returns | Roy Rogers | Billy the Kid |
| 1938 | The Isle of Pingo Pongo (Short) | Yodeler (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Under Western Stars | Roy Rogers |
| 1938 | The Old Barn Dance | Singer (as Dick Weston) |
| 1937 | Wild Horse Rodeo | Singer (as Dick Weston) |
| 1937 | The Old Wyoming Trail | Guitar Player | Singer | Cowhand Len (uncredited) |
| 1937 | The Star Reporter in Hollywood (Short) | Member of Sons of the Pioneers (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Egghead Rides Again (Short) | Yodeling Specialty (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Old Corral | Buck O'Keefe (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Big Show | Sons of the Pioneers Guitarist (uncredited) |
| 1936 | California Mail | Square Dance Caller (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Rhythm on the Range | Leonard - Sons of the Pioneers (uncredited) |
| 1936 | When I Yoo Hoo (Short) | Singer (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Song of the Saddle | Guitarist - Sons of the Pioneers (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Mysterious Avenger | Musician Len (as Sons of the Pioneers) |
| 1935 | Gallant Defender | Guitar Playing Nester (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Way Up Thar (Short) | Band Member (as Leonard Slye) |
| 1935 | The Old Homestead | Len - Member of Sons of the Pioneers (as Len Slye) |
| 1935 | Slightly Static (Short) | Member of Sons of the Pioneers (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Radio Scout (Short) | Member of singing quartet (uncredited) |