Roy Rogers facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Roy Rogers
Rogers in The Carson City Kid, 1940
Born	Leonard Franklin Slye (1911-11-05)November 5, 1911 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Died	July 6, 1998(1998-07-06) (aged 86) Apple Valley, California, U.S.
Resting place	Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Apple Valley, California
Other names	Len Slye
Occupation	Singer actor TV host
Years active	1932–1991 1935–1984 (acting)
Style	Western
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Lucile Ascolese (m. 1933; div. 1936) Grace Arline Wilkins (m. 1936; died 1946) Dale Evans (m. 1947)
Children	9

Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye; November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998) was a famous American singer, actor, and TV host. He was known as the "King of the Cowboys."

Before he became famous, he helped start a music group called the Sons of the Pioneers. Later, he starred in over 100 movies and many radio and TV shows. His most famous show was The Roy Rogers Show.

In his movies and TV shows, he often appeared with his wife, Dale Evans. His amazing horse, Trigger, and his dog, Bullet, were also big stars. His radio show lasted nine years, and his TV show aired from 1951 to 1957.

Roy Rogers also had a chain of restaurants named after him.

About Roy Rogers' Life and Career
Roy Rogers' Passing
Awards and Recognition for Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers' Movies and TV Shows
Popular Songs by Roy Rogers
Images for kids
See also

About Roy Rogers' Life and Career

Roy Rogers' Early Life

Roy Rogers was born Leonard Franklin Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family lived in a small apartment. He later joked that he was born at second base because a baseball stadium was built there!

When he was young, his dad built a houseboat. In 1912, the family traveled down the Scioto River. They later moved the houseboat onto land after a big flood.

In 1919, his family bought a farm in Duck Run, Ohio. His dad worked at a shoe factory to earn more money. He bought young Len a horse, and Len learned to ride.

The family had no radio, so they made their own fun. On Saturday nights, they had square dances. Len would sing, play the mandolin, and call the dances. He also learned to yodel!

Len went to high school but quit to help his family. He worked with his dad in a shoe factory.

In 1929, Len and his family moved to California. They found jobs driving gravel trucks. Later, Len picked peaches, which was very hard work during the Great Depression.

Roy Rogers' Music Journey

When Len was 19, his sister suggested he try out for a radio show. He sang and yodeled, even though he was shy. Soon, he joined a country music group called the Rocky Mountaineers.

In 1932, Len, along with Tim Spencer and Bob Nolan, formed a trio. They practiced their singing a lot. In 1934, a fiddle player named Hugh Farr joined them.

A radio announcer then gave them a new name: the Sons of the Pioneers. This name stuck, and they became very popular! They signed a record deal and recorded famous songs like "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and "Cool Water".

Roy Rogers' Film Career

Len started acting in Western movies in 1935. He often played a singing cowboy. In 1938, he won a contest to become a new singing cowboy star. Republic Pictures gave him the stage name Roy Rogers.

His first main role was in Under Western Stars. He quickly became a huge star, just as popular as Gene Autry. He even appeared in a John Wayne movie called Dark Command.

Roy Rogers was a favorite for many children. His movies were often in color, which was special at the time. His horse, Trigger, was also a big part of the films.

Roy Rogers was very smart about his career. He made sure he owned the rights to his name and image for toys and other products. He was second only to Walt Disney in how many items featured his name!

The Sons of the Pioneers continued to be popular and often appeared in Roy's movies and shows.

In 1944, he met Dale Evans when they were filming a movie together. They became known for helping children. They adopted several children and were strong Christians. They even had streets and buildings named after them in Apple Valley, California, where they lived. Roy was also a Freemason and supported their charities.

Roy and Dale's famous theme song was "Happy Trails", written by Dale. They sang it at the end of their TV show. They also hosted a comedy-Western show together. Roy made guest appearances on other TV shows, like Wonder Woman.

Roy Rogers also owned a company that made his TV series and other shows.

In 1968, Roy licensed his name to Marriott Corporation for Roy Rogers Restaurants. He wasn't involved in running them, but his name helped them become famous.

Roy Rogers' Family Life

In 1932, Roy got a horse he named Trigger. Trigger became one of the most famous horses in movie history!

Roy married Lucile Ascolese in 1933, but they divorced in 1936.

He then met Grace Arline Wilkins. They married in 1936. They adopted a daughter, Cheryl, in 1941. Two years later, Grace gave birth to their daughter Linda Lou. Their son, Roy Jr. ("Dusty"), was born in 1946. Sadly, Grace passed away a few days after Dusty was born.

Roy and Dale Evans fell in love after Grace's death. They married on New Year's Eve in 1947. Together, they had one child, Robin Elizabeth, who died young. They also adopted four more children: Mimi, Dodie, Debbie, and Sandy. Dale wrote a book about losing Robin called Angel Unaware. Roy and Dale stayed married until he passed away.

In 1964, their daughter Debbie died in a church bus accident. After this, they moved to a ranch in Apple Valley, California.

Roy Rogers' Passing

Roy Rogers passed away on July 6, 1998, at the age of 86, in Apple Valley, California. He was buried there, and his wife Dale Evans was buried next to him three years later.

Awards and Recognition for Roy Rogers

Rogers performing at Knott's Berry Farm

Roy Rogers received many honors for his work.

On February 8, 1960, he got three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These stars were for his work in movies, television, and radio. He also won the Golden Boot Award in 1983 and a special Founder's Award in 1996.

In 1967, a group of Native American tribes named him "outstanding Indian citizen of the year." This was because his mother had some Choctaw heritage.

In 1976, Roy and Dale Evans were added to the Western Performers Hall of Fame. In 1995, he was inducted again as a founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers.

Roy Rogers was also honored twice by the Country Music Hall of Fame. First, as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers in 1980, and then as a solo artist in 1988. He is the only person to be inducted twice!

In 2001, a Golden Palm Star was dedicated to him and Dale Evans on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars.

Roy Rogers' influence can be seen in many songs and movies. Artists like Lyle Lovett and Elton John have written songs about him. He is also mentioned in films like Die Hard and City Slickers.