Autry, Gene (1907-1998), became famous for his roles as a singing cowboy in Western films from the 1930’s through the early 1950’s. He later became a successful business executive.
Orvon Gene Autry was born on Sept. 29, 1907, in Tioga, Texas, near Pilot Point. He began recording cowboy songs in 1929 and made his first hit record, “That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine,” in 1931. Autry wrote over 250 songs, including such hits as “Tears on My Pillow” (1941) and “Here Comes Santa Claus” (1947). He also made popular recordings of “Back in the Saddle Again” (1939), “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949), “Frosty the Snowman” (1950), and “Peter Cottontail” (1950).
In 1934, Autry moved to Hollywood, California, to appear in motion pictures, and he made his first film that same year. He acted in more than 100 Western movies and also continued to perform as a singer. During the 1950’s, Autry began a successful business career. In 1960, he became an owner of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team, which played its first season in 1961. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969. Autry died on Oct. 2, 1998.
See also Country music (Cowboy music); Westerns .
