American entertainer, a leading cowboy motion picture star of the ’30s who, as a straight-shooter, sang his way into the hearts of fans around the world. He was known for his traveling rodeo, radio programs, TV shows, many records and the 87 films he acted in with his horse Trigger. From 1941-1954, Rogers was the number one Western star at the box office. His TV series went into syndication after its run from 1951 to 1957. For years, he traveled the rodeo, parade and county fair circuit.
In 1930, Leonard Slye went to Hollywood as a radio singer, starting a group called the “Rocky Mountaineers.” He segued into a group called the “Pioneer Trio,” which became “The Sons of the Pioneers.” In 1937, Slye signed a contract with Republic Studios, which changed his name to Roy Rogers. His first film came out the following year, “Under Western Stars.”
He was widowed in 1946 when he lost his first wife. Rogers married Dale Evans on 12/31/1947. She wrote his renowned theme song, “Happy Trails,” in the ’50s. He and Dale raised nine natural and adopted kids.
“The Roy Rogers Show” made its debut on NBC in 1951, running for six years. He and Dale played in “The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show” in 1962. In 1965, the couple moved to Apple Valley where they opened an 18,000-square-foot museum near their home, the Apple Valley Inn, in June 1967. They set up a homestead called the Roy Rogers Ranch, which also served as a museum for tourists to visit in the ’70s. In 1976, they moved their museum to Victorville, CA.
Rogers received the Western Hall of Fame’s President Reagan Award for his 50 years of work as a wholesome movie cowboy and role model for children. Residents of the high desert remember him as a regular guy, always courteous and natural.
From 1990, his heart, lungs and liver began to fail. He survived two heart attacks, and, at 85, was a frail 140 pounds. Dale suffered a stroke on Mother’s Day in 1995, but continued to work on her 31st inspirational book.
The “King of the Cowboys” rode off into his last sunset on 7/06/1998, dying of congestive heart failure in his sleep at home in Apple Valley, CA after mumbling, “Well Lord, it’s been a long, hard ride.”
Dale Evans was born 10/31/1912: died 2/07/2001.
Link to Wikipedia biography