Roy Rogers was a famous cowboy actor who appeared in nearly 200 movies and TV shows. He was known as “The King of the Cowboys” and passed away in 1998 at 86 years old.
Roy Rogers was born Leonard Slye on November 5, 1911, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up on a farm in Duck Run, Ohio, where he loved animals, especially his pet pig Evangeline. When he was 12, he won a competition at a county fair with his pig.
During the Great Depression, times were tough for Roy and his family. He had dreams of becoming a doctor or dentist but had to leave school to work in a shoe factory to support his family.
Roy loved music and learned to play the mandolin and guitar. He wanted to entertain people, but he was shy and afraid of speaking in public.
To overcome his fear, Roy’s sister suggested he perform on a local radio show. He did well and eventually joined a country music group called The Rocky Mountaineers. Later, he formed his own group, The Pioneer Trio, and they became famous.
One day, Roy received two lemon meringue pies as payment for singing. A young woman brought them, and she later became his first wife, Lucille Ascolese.
Roy’s music career led him to acting. He appeared in movies alongside Gene Autry, another famous cowboy actor. Eventually, Roy became known as “The King of the Cowboys.”
He married Dale Evans after Lucille passed away, and they became famous for their TV show and movies together. Dale helped Roy overcome his fear of public speaking and introduced him to Christianity.
Roy’s favorite horse, Trigger, also became famous. He received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio, TV, and movies.
Roy and Dale had a happy marriage but suffered tragedies, including the loss of their daughter Robin and another daughter, Deborah, in a car accident.
Roy Rogers died of congestive heart failure in 1998. He was surrounded by his family, and his last words were, “Well, Lord, it’s been a long, hard ride.”
Roy Rogers will always be remembered as “The King of the Cowboys.”
