Rogers, Roy (1911-1998), was a popular star of Western motion pictures known as the “King of the Cowboys.” His greatest fame extended from the late 1930’s to the mid-1950’s. Rogers sang in most of his films. Comedy was provided by his sidekick, George “Gabby” Hayes. The movies also featured Rogers’s palomino horse, Trigger, and heroine Dale Evans, who married Rogers in 1947. Rogers and Evans starred in “The Roy Rogers Show” on television from 1951 to 1956.
Rogers was born on Nov. 5, 1911, in Cincinnati. His real name was Leonard Franklin Slye. He began his career as a Western singer on radio and helped found the Sons of the Pioneers vocal group in the early 1930’s. Rogers first starring film role was in the Western Under Western Skies (1938). Soon, he was making several low-budget Westerns a year for Republic Pictures. He appeared in about 90 films before retiring from movies in the early 1950’s. Rogers also became a successful businessman, establishing a chain of restaurants that carry his name. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988. Rogers died on July 6, 1998.
