Once you start discussing iconic figures of the American Cinema, your talk will not be complete unless Roy Rogers is mentioned. Rogers was an all-time favorite among movie lovers as he had a very intriguing career and represented well in whatever position he was placed. However, amidst all that gold and shining in his career, he also had life not short of the many struggles and hardships no one would possibly guess.
Early Years
Early Years
Before Roy Rogers became the popular and iconic western movie star, he is known as today, he had a hard life, especially in his younger years. He was born Leonard Slye to parents Andrew and Mattie Slye.
Rogers was born on November 5, 1911, in Ohio to a simple lifestyle, which includes living in a tenement building. However, after Roy was born, his parents believed they needed a change in their family life and structure, even though they were living happily to some extent.
Life on the River
Less than a year after his birth, Rogers’ father, along with his brother, developed the idea about moving to a greener pasture so their life could be much better. Living in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the time, they were looking for another place to call home. As such, the two built a houseboat from salvaged wood, which they used as their means of transport to a better life. They sailed up the Ohio River to settle in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Settling in saw them purchasing a piece of land that they had hopes of building a house on. However, a major flood hit the region in 1913, and this was the sure opportunity they needed as they were able to move their houseboat to the plot of land. So, from sailing on the river, Rogers spent his first few years living in a houseboat.
Life On The River
Love for Horses
Roy developed a passionate love for horses, and as fate would have it, the love for the animal was setting him up for what was to come. When the boy was just seven years old, his family moved to a farm on the outskirts of Lucasville, Ohio. For a pre-birthday gift, Andy Roy’s uncle bought him a horse.
This gift was the perfect one Roy could ever dream of getting, and before long, he made it a point of duty to learn how to perfect his ride. As time passed, Roy learned a few tricks that would set him apart to become the western star he is known as.
Love For Horses
A Natural Performer
The family lived in an area where entertainment was not so frequent, so they had to create their own. With no radio to listen to or anywhere close, they could go regularly, the childhood star in Roy started to grow stronger.
The young boy was one of the major sources of entertainment for his family, as he would often sing while playing the mandolin for his family. He sure was a born performer, and with this new passion, he would use it to continue his love of entertaining even to those outside his family.
A Natural Performer
High School Drop Out
Rogers had always been a brilliant kid and was interesting in learning, but he didn’t get a chance to finish high school because his family had moved back to Cincinnati in 1927. He started school in McDermott, Ohio when the relocation came about.
Once they had settled in, he started school once again but had to leave because his family was strapped for cash. Rogers started working with his father at a shoe factory, but he still had ambitions of finishing school, so he started going to night classes. But, before long, he had to stop because the kids were mocking him for always sleeping in class.
High School Drop Out
A New Career
Once again, Rogers had to move with his family for better opportunities and this time to Inglewood, California, in 1931. Roy had a breakthrough when he appeared on a hearing of “Midnight Frolic,” a radio program, where he sang and performed a series of yodeling. It was an amazing experience that landed him the opportunity to join a music group called The Rocky Mountaineers.
The group later became a bit more popular as they started touring and performing for local bars and various radio programs. However, all this was done on a meager budget. As they continued their trail, they changed their names to “The O-Bar-O-Cowboys,” and even though it wasn’t as fabulous as they’d hoped, Rogers made the most of the experience and enjoyed every bit of it.
A New Career
A Love Affair
As the years went by, Rogers would soon find a love interest in a woman who had been admiring him for a while. They got pretty close, and before long, the two got married in 1933.
The honeymoon and the first phase of the marriage were all good but not so much after some time. It turned out the feelings they had for each other had overshadowed the true reality of what it was, and it was only a rushed commitment. Just three years later, the two got a divorce after things were not so smooth between them.
A Love Affair
Another Love Strike
Rogers was still going through the breakup with Acolese when he received an interesting request on a radio station he had been performing. A woman named Grace Wilkins called in to make a proposition in that if Rogers performed “The Swiss Yodel” for her, he would get a freshly baked pie.
Of course, Rogers took on the challenge, and from then, the two would start regular communication. When the divorce to his first wife was over, Rogers married his new love in June of the same year (1936).
Another Love Strike
Pioneers in the Making
The O-Bar-O-Cowboys broke up in 1933, and Rogers was seeking to form a new group soon after. With the inspiration of two others, Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer, he formed the group The Pioneers Trio. However, during one radio broadcast, the host decided to change their name to “Sons of the Pioneers,” as he believed they were too young to be considered pioneers.
From there, they went on to achieve a higher level of greatness than they had ever imagined. The group became a nationwide sensation with numerous radio performances and soon after, signing a contract with the popular Decca Records.
Pioneers In The Making
Going Visual
The transition to the big screen started in 1935 when Rogers started acting in supporting roles in various films. This would go on for the first year of his new career. However, it was not until 1938 that Rogers would see himself going beyond the limit to be a superstar. Republic Pictures had an audition to select the person who would be the face of their signature “singing cowboy.”
Rogers came out as the winning contestant, and this landed him a role in the famous film ‘Under Western Stars’ in 1938. Soon after, the budding star became a sensation among film lovers and would be the star of his name become one of the greatest in western entertainment.
Going Visual
Starting a Family
Rogers and Wilkins were going happily along their marriage journey when they decided they needed a baby. However, numerous attempts saw them failing at having a child, and doctors told them having a child naturally would be impossible.
Even though they were sad about the discovery, they didn’t let that stop them from achieving their goals, so they went with adoption. In 1941, they welcomed their daughter (through adoption). Cheryl Darlene Rogers. Finally, they were able to start the family life they dreamed of.
Starting A Family
Surprise Babies
1943 would be a year Rogers would never forget as what they thought was impossible was playing out before their eyes. Being told they couldn’t get pregnant, Wilkins soon realized she was, and before long, they welcomed a baby girl named Linda Lou Rogers.
Once again, another miracle decided to work out for the couple, and a couple of years later, they found out another baby was on the way. In 1946, they welcomed their son, Roy Jr. Unfortunately, just a few days after his birth, Grace developed some complications and died.
Surprise Babies
Peeping Love Interest
After losing his wife days after his son was born, Rogers committed to raising his daughters the best way he knew how. But, as he took on the new role, love was once again in the air and, of course, sooner than he would imagine. While working on a film in 1944, Rogers met actress Dale Evans, and both developed a social friendship.
As time passed, the two got closer together and found out before long that they had feelings for each other. They got married around a year after Grace’s death, and the marriage lasted until Rogers died in 1998.
Peeping Love Interest
Making a Name
Roy Rogers undoubtedly made a huge name for himself that would later see him becoming a successful singer and actor. He was classified as one of the biggest stars in the western entertainment industry, while others saw him as the best.
For 16 years, Rogers appeared on the list for the top 10 highest-grossing western stars, according to Motion Pictures Herald’s Top Ten Money-Making Stars’ list. He was also voted as the best actor in westerns, where he copped the title for 11 consecutive years. Not as a surprise, only a small portion of people didn’t know his face nor his voice.
Making A Name
A Businessman
Rogers was one of the biggest names in Hollywood, and besides, he was also a businessman. Rogers made a contract in 1940 that saw him having all rights and ownership to his name, voice, and likeness. This move meant that he had the potential to get a lot of benefits should anyone want to use his name or image commercially.
With this came a lot of merchandise that had a connection to Rogers that included comic books, adventure novels, action figures, and toys.
A Businessman
A Popular Show
In addition to his on-screen popularity and work with the radio broadcast, he did a film production called “The Roy Rogers Show,” which was a major success. It was a script that showcased Rogers as a cattle rancher and also one who thought it was critical to maintaining justice in the city he lived in.
The film also showcased Evans, Rogers’ wife, and brought more fame to the power couple. The show had a huge audience for the years it ran (1951-1957) and was also a boost in the Rogers-themed merchandise collections.
A Popular Show
Success Not Always Guaranteed
Even though one individual can have a lot of success, it is not guaranteed at all times. Rogers and his wife started another show in 1962 called “The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans” show, where they would perform together. It could also be classified as a variety show.
However, before the first season ended, the show was canceled as Rogers, and Dale’s popularity seemed to have been fading. But, amidst everything, they had already made a huge name for themselves and were icons for all western genre lovers.
Success Not Always Guaranteed
Passion Lives On
Rogers from a tender age had a deep love for horses, but there was one in particular that stood out for him, a palomino called Trigger. Roy purchased the horse, and his connection to it saw them both appearing in a lot of his films.The trigger was more than an ordinary horse as he was so smart that he learned over 150 different tricks. Of course, with an owner who was a natural performer, we would agree that his horse too would live up to that character and do the same – and that Trigger did! Rogers had a lot of human co-stars, but Trigger stood out as one of the most iconic.
Passion Lives On
Hall of Fame
Being such a popular figure in the country music genre, a lot of people believe he should be awarded a classy recognition – and that he was.
The famous western star was inducted twice into the Hall of Fame (Country Music) for his role in performing with the Sons of the Pioneers and also as Roy Rogers. His double induction made him the only person to receive the prestigious award twice, and, of course, he was deserving of it.
Hall Of Fame
He was Loved
Rogers was no stranger to having a lot of fans seeing he was one of the most popular figures when it came to western music and film.
He had an influx of letters from his fans detailing their love and admiration for him. A lot would ask him for autographs, some asking when they would meet him and so many other requests. In one month, as Rogers was getting the numerous letters, he recorded a whopping amount of 78,862 fan letters (for just that one month!)
He Was Loved
Worldwide Recognition
In addition to being added to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rogers also saw his great work rewarding him the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. He was recognized three times for his work in film, television, and radio media.
Many, however, believed it was a bit extreme, but seeing the many successes he had, it was all worth it. After all, he received the credit for the three categories because he had put a lot into it from working in a factory to help support his family to become a household name for many.
Worldwide Recognition
A Legacy
In 1967, a museum was set up to pay tribute to Rogers and his wife and to help others re-live the lives of the legends. The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans museum consisted of a wide array of memorabilia that included a collection donated by Roy Rogers that he started gathering after his retirement.
There are multiple artifacts of Rogers’ career to include statues of Rogers’legendary horse, Trigger, and his famous dog Bullet. However, the museum closed its doors in 2009 when they were losing out on the number of visitors they used to receive.
A Legacy
Touring in Vain?
Most musicians will agree that as a starter, it is not the easiest thing to become a popular figure among listeners, and Roy Rogers knew exactly how this felt. During his times with O-Bar-O-Cowboys, his dream was to make it big, but in reality, it didn’t achieve much for him.
Of course, they got a little popular among their local people and performed on some radio stations, but as it relates to earning substantially – that was a turn-down. They made nothing from their tours as people couldn’t afford to pay them big because of a recession.
Touring In Vain
Silent Romance
Roy’s love interest, especially with Arlene, was not a public show as they didn’t come out with the passion of love and romance. Instead, they kept it low-key and let it blossomed.
Like most other people who believe having an extravagant wedding means everything, Roy and Arlene thought otherwise. Their wedding was held in the living room of Arlene’s parents’ house, and it didn’t matter to them but more the love and passion for each other.
Silent Romance
Too Young
On numerous occasions, film potentials are turned down because they don’t have the right look the film production team is looking for. Hollywood is famous for this, and still many people find this shocking to believe.
For Roy Rogers, he too faced this dilemma as, during a 1973 attempt to grow his career in filmmaking, he was turned down by Universal Film Studios because they thought he looked too young. We are very sure later on would see them regretting this one move.
Too Young
Separating from Music Group
Roy’s years with Sons of Pioneers was a great experience for him and granted him a lot of breakthrough opportunities. He had formed a bond with his groupies, and they were almost like family. However, the time came when a major change would strike the close bond of the group. They had to split because of a conflict of interest with signed contracts.
Columbia Pictures had signed Sons of Piooners while Rogers got a new contract with Republic. Of course, it was never easy for Rogers, but after much deliberation and thought, he decided to go with the latter and separate from the group that many would say made him who he was.
Separating From Music Group
Joining the Gym
The film industry once again had a major focus on how the character looked, and they had to fit certain criteria before they could be signed. Just imagine today, a lead actor not having an intriguing body that many people will go “wow” about. It was just the same back then, but maybe not so harsh.
As time went by, Roy fell in the box of the “criticized” as they thought he didn’t have the physique that a leading star should have. With this came the pressure for Roy to join the gym and workout for several weeks until he had the body the production team needed.
Joining The Gym
The Name Change
A lot of film stars you know now do not bear the name they were born with, and Hollywood is famous for having character change their names. Sometimes, the original name does not have a striking effect, or they share names with a pre-existing star, and as such, we often get to meet a popular star based on his acting name.
As noted earlier, Roy Rogers was born Leonard Slye but acting a lot as Dick Weston. Times passed, and the production studio thought it best to go with Roy Rogers, and that’s what we now call him.
The Name Change
Philanthropist
Rogers always had a passion for helping others, whether through charity or otherwise, and that was in addition to the extensive hard work he was continually putting in.
Rogers had a young audience, and they always get excited when he was around. Because of the joy and happiness, it brought to the children and teens, Rogers found it as a pleasure to visit sick children in the hospital to give them the relief of meeting one of their favorite stars. He thought if he could make a positive change in a small way, that would mean a lot.
Philanthropist
A Messy Wedding
After his second wife died, Roy didn’t believe he would be able to find love again, but he did. His marriage to Dale was a wonderful occasion for both of them but not without its fair share of troubles.
For starters, the minister was late for the event as there was a snowstorm, so he had to travel by horse, especially seeing the couple had their wedding on a ranch. Then to think that was enough, as the wedding went on, a fire broke out in one of the top rooms, and Roy had to get it out and do the relevant damage control.
A Messy Wedding
Political Stance
We have seen a lot of celebrities who have made their political preference public, as well as many of them opting to run for mayor or a seat in Congress or the Senate.
Roy, too was eyed for a position in politics (especially for the character that he had) and was approached to enter representational politics in the House of Representatives. However, he declined the offer and noted he had fans across all political landscape and didn’t want to jeopardize his relationship with any of them.
Political Stance
Going Bigger
Roy was successful as an actor and singer and has had some great accomplishments in his career over the years. He became one of the biggest household names in westerns in the U.S. and has received a lot of awards for his works. But, at the time, what greater opportunity could one ask for than being asked to join “The Muppet Show”?
Roy and Dale were cast on the show in 1979, which made them one of only three celebrity couples ever to make it there. They joined the likes of Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, and Robert Shields and Lorene Jansson.
Going Bigger
A Stadium
We all know that Rogers was born into a family that lived in a tenement building in Cincinnati but was soon later demolished and turned into a public history, well known as Rogers.
A stadium was designed and built during the year 1968 called Riverfront Stadium and was the home to a lot of sporting activities. It hosted a lot of game series of the Cincinnati Bengals NFL team as well as Major League Baseball team, Cincinnati Reds. However, the building lost out on becoming a historical figure as it was torn down in 2002.
A Stadium
The Making of a Success Story
Sons of Pioneers was the stepping stone for Rogers to enter the world of singing as it opened a lot of doors for him and the others. Their talent landed them in various movies in the 1930s but mostly as background character roles.
But, as time went by, Rogers started to set himself apart as he managed to get a few more distinguishing roles. He loved the idea and from then knew he also wanted to pursue a career in acting. Since then, he started auditioning for more roles, most of which he got.
The Making Of A Success Story
Co-Stars
Hollywood seems to have diminished the idea of portraying trusty sidekicks in their movie productions of these days. Celebrities of the time who were famous for their roles in similar positions across a genre would share their space with whom we would call a loyal sidekick, and for Rogers, he had a few of them.
During his active years, Rogers would be joined in a lot of films by actors cush as George Hayes, Smiley Burnette, Pat Brady, and Andy Devine. He referred to them as veteran sidekick actors.
Co Stars
Avid Businessman
Rogers’ active years would see him not only as an actor and singer but also as a businessman who capitalized on the offers of being asked to be the highlight of products and advertisements. This feature led him to be the face (both physically and in the name) of many products to include a chain of a restaurant operated by the Marriott Company. The company used his label for many of their restaurants during the 1960s.
The Roy Rogers Restaurant came to light, and even though his name was attached to it, he never took part in their overall operation. He only sat back and collected his due share of the deal.
Avid Businessman
Horse Show
One of Rogers’ side gangs was his horse, Trigger, who was a sensation among fans as they enjoyed watching both of them together. As such, Trigger received his name in the film industry and became a popular hit in his own right.
On some occasions, Rogers and Trigger would split seeing the horse do screen time of his own, and this was a major standout in a lot of the films they acted. But even though Rogers loved Trigger so much, do you believe he was entirely pleased or comfortable to know a horse was stealing some of his spotlights?
Horse Show
Horse Racing
Aside from acting with horses, Rogers extended his love for the animals to raising them as Trigger was not the only one he had. He had a lot more, including a racehorse named Triggairo, that he took pleasure in caring for.
Through the training and guidance of Rogers, Triggairo became a successful figure in the public’s eyes. The horse managed to cop over 13 race titles in its active years to include the coveted El Encino Stakes in 1975. For sure, it was no secret Rogers had the touch when it came to raising quality horses.
Horse Racing
Film Production
Being a successful actor in his lifetime, Rogers could have allowed the studios to do the bulk of the work while just enjoyed the fruit of his labor, but he never saw himself as that kind of actor.
Instead, Roy wanted to step out and make a name for himself in the production arena and control his projects. As such, he created his own production company that had its success over time. This same company later went on to produce “The Roy Rogers Show as well as another short series called “Brace Eagle.”
Film Production
Stopping the Deal
Roy’s successes in filmmaking were at an all-time high, but with this, he wanted to go into TV shows, but his studio worked against the deal. He was soon to find out that Republic was on a mission to turn a lot of his pre-existing movies into TV shows without his permission or without notifying him.
But, Seeing Roy had full rights to his name and likeness, he was able to stop that deal and was later thrown overboard by Republic. But did he mind? Not at all, as he was now able to pursue another chapter of his career – making TV shows.
Stopping The Deal
A High Rider
Roy was known to love horses and his fans, and others who knew him suspected his main mode of transportation would always be a horse. But, Rogers put that theory aside and made known his love for another means of transportation – airplanes.
Roy was an avid fan of aircraft, which led him a obtain a pilot’s license and even buying a Cessna Bobcat. The actor wanted the pleasure of flying to any location he wanted even if it was just for a relaxing moment.
A High Rider
A Big Family
The Rogers family was already a big one seeing both of them had children from previous marriages. However, they didn’t let that get in the way of them not having more children. Sadly, there was a repeat case like Roy and Grace, where they could not be able to have any more children naturally.
Of course, the couple was disappointed, but they didn’t let that stop them from expanding their family, nonetheless – even if it meant adopting. So the couple adopted four children, Sandy, Mimi, Dodie, and Debbie.
A Big Family
Not all Shining Gold
Looking at the life of Roy Rogers, one may believe he had it all figured out for him seeing he had so many success stories. From his amazing acting career to his musical awards or even his horses and other achievements, Roy gave a smile at all times, which made everyone think it was all gold. But, in reality, his family life was a rough one.
Aside from his struggle to bear children and losing his wife and more…it was as though trouble was set to get him down.
Not All Shining Gold
Losing His Children
His marriages saw him adopting a total of five children throughout his life (yeah, that much were adopted!). During those days, adopting a child was not necessarily common, and a lot of people would frown on the idea, so when Roy did it, a lot of people admired him for that.
Roy had equal love for all his children, and if you didn’t know, you couldn’t tell that they were adopted as he treated them as his biological children. Thus, when he realized three of them had died, it was never the easiest moment for him, and it pained his heart a lot.
Losing His Children
A Passion to Help Children
Roy and Dale had managed to have a daughter (biologically), but before she turned two years old, they lost her to heart failure. As such, they redirected their passion for children to help those in need, and many people believed the death of their daughter inspired them.
While they were still grieving the loss of their daughter, they thought it was a great idea to open their home to other needy children who didn’t have anyone. As time went by, they ended up losing two of their adopted children, a daughter to a vehicular motor accident, and a son to unknown health complications.
A Passion To Help Children
A Living Legacy
Cheryl Darlene Rogers, Roy’s eldest and first adopted daughter, is now in her 80s and is still her daddy’s baby girl even though he is no more. She insisted on carrying on his legacy.
Cheryle’s life has been fairly well as she married her high school sweetheart and became parents to seven children. They both have a mobile home that they insisted on and can now be seen traveling around to almost every Western and Country festival in the region. A cool way to live the dreams her father created.
A Living Legacy
An Artistic Family
Most of Roy’s children opting for a career in the entertainment industry to include acting and singing. We don’t find this strange as their father created an amazing legacy and left a huge positive influence on them. Mimi Rogers, the youngest child, may be deemed the most successful as she is an actress and was once married to a popular actor, Tom Cruise.
Mimi’s love for acting grew stronger over the years and saw her expanding into producing and poker! Yes, she was an avid star at the game, and her deep passion saw her becoming a director at the World Poker Tour.
An Artistic Family
Once Shy
Roy may seem like the bravest man in the world and have no problem putting on a show for his fans but, this was never the case during his earlier days. Moving to California saw Roy being so shy and nervous that he found it hard to even perform on his radio shows.
Hollywood was not the place to welcome shyness, and if Roy wanted to pursue acting as his dream, he would have to get brave and step away from that dull character. After all, it is a tough business, and the go-getter attitude of the industry would see him changing to become the character he was known for.
Once Shy
Horse Name Change
Like Roy, who had to change his name for the screen, so was his horse. It didn’t always bore the name Trigger as when Rogers first met him and fell in love with him, he was called “Golden Cloud.”
Rogers would end up taking the horse from its previous owners after deciding he wanted to give him a new home. With the new home came a new name and one that the world would not forget in a hurry.
Horse Name Change
Mission awareness
Rogers and Evans lost a child in her early years (a short while shy of her second birthday). It all happened after their daughter contracted mumps in addition to having down syndrome.
As such, the couple decided it was critical to bring awareness to the world on the issues of the health condition their daughter suffered from and what parents who experience the same need to know and understand. Evans wrote a detailed book about the care and attention they had to dedicate to their daughter and how life was with a child of that nature.
Mission Awareness
A Humble Upbringing
Roy and Dale somehow suspected their children would grow up to become spoiled and depended on the spotlight to determine who they were, so they decided to go for a humble lifestyle. They decided to grow their children on a ranch around the likes of pigs, horses, and chicken.
Being famous meant the camera would always be on their family, and that was what Rogers and his wife were trying to avoid. However, even though they were extra careful, one of their sons, Dusty, still managed to land movie roles before he finished high school.
A Humble Upbringing
Hard Work Paid Off
The road to success for Rogers in the Western genre was never by character but more from his hard work, dedication, longsuffering, and more. Rogers saw his career being the most active between 1935 to 1951 and would appear in at least two films per year for that period.
On some occasions, Rogers would see himself in most eight films for a given year – star role that is! However, as time went by and his family started growing, Rogers decided it was best to slow it down so he could be around his family and help develop them.
Hard Work Paid Off