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Gene Autry

Gene Autry

Gene Autry, the archetype of the guitar strumming, singing Hollywood cowboy, is one of American cinema's most beloved figures. Born Orvon Autry, his entry to showbiz has a story book quality. During the 1920s he was working as a telegraph operator when American folk hero Will Rogers overheard him singing and convinced him to give show business a try. By 1928 he was singing regularly on a small radio station. Three years later, he was starring in his own national radio show (The National Barn Dance) and making records for Columbia. He first made his mark in films starring roles in the 13-part Republic serial Phantom Empire (1935) and the movie Tumblin' Tumbleweeds (1935). Then he went on to make dozens of Westerns, usually with his famed horse Champion and his comic sidekick Smiley Burnette. He was the top Western star at the box office from 1937-42, and is the only Western actor ever to make the list of Hollywood's top ten attractions, an achievement attained in 1940, '41, and '42. His career was interrupted by service in World War II (he served as a flight officer), during which his place was supplanted at Republic by singing cowboy Roy Rogers. Between 1947 and 1954, now working for Columbia Pictures, Autry trailed behind Rogers as the second most popular western star. His films focus exclusively on action, with little romantic interest. Autry's special twist, though, was to pause from time to time for an easy-going song, creating a new genre of action films that is considered by film historians to constitute a revolution in B-movies (one that went on to have many imitators). As a recording artist, he had nine million-sellers; and as a songwriter, he penned 200 popular songs including the holiday classic "Here Comes Santa Claus." After 20 years as a singing cowboy, Autry retired from movies in 1954 to further his career as a highly successful businessman (among many other investments, he eventually bought the California Angels, a major league baseball team). However, he continued performing on television until the '60s. In 1978 he published his autobiography Back in the Saddle Again, titled after his signature song. ~ All Movie Guide


Gene Autry Trivia

When was Gene Autry born?
Gene Autry was born on September 29, 1907

Who did Gene Autry play in Public Cowboy No. 1?
Gene Autry was Autry in Public Cowboy No. 1

Who did Gene Autry portray in Whirlwind?
Gene Autry was Himself in Whirlwind

Who did Gene Autry portray in Wagon Team?
Gene Autry was Himself in Wagon Team

Who did Gene Autry play in Tumbling Tumbleweeds?
Gene Autry was Gene in Tumbling Tumbleweeds

What role did Gene Autry portray in Texans Never Cry?
Gene Autry played Himself in Texans Never Cry

Who did Gene Autry portray in The Strawberry Roan?
Gene Autry was Gene Autry in The Strawberry Roan

What role did Gene Autry play in Stardust on the Sage?
Gene Autry played Gene in Stardust on the Sage

Who did Gene Autry play in Sons of New Mexico?
Gene Autry was Himself in Sons of New Mexico

What role did Gene Autry play in The Singing Cowboy?
Gene Autry played Gene in The Singing Cowboy

Who did Gene Autry portray in Silver Canyon?
Gene Autry was Gene Autry in Silver Canyon

Who did Gene Autry play in The Sagebrush Troubador?
Gene Autry was Himself in The Sagebrush Troubador

What role did Gene Autry portray in Rovin' Tumbleweeds?
Gene Autry played Gene in Rovin' Tumbleweeds

What role did Gene Autry play in Riders in the Sky?
Gene Autry played Himself in Riders in the Sky

What role did Gene Autry portray in Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride?
Gene Autry played Gene in Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride

Who did Gene Autry play in Rancho Grande?
Gene Autry was Gene in Rancho Grande

Who did Gene Autry play in The Old West?
Gene Autry was Himself in The Old West

Who did Gene Autry portray in Mule Train?
Gene Autry was Himself in Mule Train

Who did Gene Autry portray in Mexicali Rose?
Gene Autry was Gene in Mexicali Rose

Who did Gene Autry portray in The Last Round-Up?
Gene Autry was Himself in The Last Round-Up

What role did Gene Autry portray in Indian Territory?
Gene Autry played Himself in Indian Territory

Who did Gene Autry play in In Old Monterey?
Gene Autry was Sgt. Gene Autry in In Old Monterey

Who did Gene Autry portray in Home in Wyomin'?
Gene Autry was Gene in Home in Wyomin'

Who did Gene Autry play in Guns and Guitars?
Gene Autry was Gene in Guns and Guitars

Who did Gene Autry portray in Gold Mine in the Sky?
Gene Autry was Gene in Gold Mine in the Sky

Who did Gene Autry play in Gaucho Serenade?
Gene Autry was Gene in Gaucho Serenade

Who did Gene Autry play in Colorado Sunset?
Gene Autry was Gene Autry in Colorado Sunset

Who did Gene Autry play in Beyond the Purple Hills?
Gene Autry was Himself in Beyond the Purple Hills

Who did Gene Autry play in Bells of Capistrano?
Gene Autry was Gene in Bells of Capistrano

Who did Gene Autry portray in Back in the Saddle?
Gene Autry was Gene in Back in the Saddle

Who did Gene Autry play in Valley of Fire?
Gene Autry was Himself in Valley of Fire

Who did Gene Autry portray in Twilight on the Rio Grande?
Gene Autry was Himself in Twilight on the Rio Grande

Who did Gene Autry play in South of the Border?
Gene Autry was Gene in South of the Border

What role did Gene Autry portray in Sioux City Sue?
Gene Autry played Himself in Sioux City Sue

What role did Gene Autry portray in Round-Up Time in Texas?
Gene Autry played Gene in Round-Up Time in Texas

Who did Gene Autry play in Rim of the Canyon?
Gene Autry was Gene Autry in Rim of the Canyon

Who did Gene Autry play in Rim of the Canyon?
Gene Autry was Gene Autry The Elder in Rim of the Canyon

Who did Gene Autry play in Ridin' on a Rainbow?
Gene Autry was Gene in Ridin' on a Rainbow

What role did Gene Autry portray in Riders of the Whistling Pines?
Gene Autry played Himself in Riders of the Whistling Pines

Who did Gene Autry play in Man of the Frontier?
Gene Autry was Himself in Man of the Frontier

Who did Gene Autry portray in The Old Corral?
Gene Autry was Gene in The Old Corral

Who did Gene Autry play in Melody Ranch?
Gene Autry was Gene in Melody Ranch

What role did Gene Autry play in Loaded Pistols?
Gene Autry played Himself in Loaded Pistols

What role did Gene Autry play in The Last of the Pony Riders?
Gene Autry played Himself in The Last of the Pony Riders

What role did Gene Autry portray in Heart of the Rio Grande?
Gene Autry played Himself in Heart of the Rio Grande

Who did Gene Autry play in Down Mexico Way?
Gene Autry was Gene in Down Mexico Way

What role did Gene Autry play in Cow Town?
Gene Autry played Himself in Cow Town

Who did Gene Autry play in Call of the Canyon?
Gene Autry was Gene in Call of the Canyon

Who did Gene Autry play in The Big Sombrero?
Gene Autry was Himself in The Big Sombrero

Who did Gene Autry play in The Big Show?
Gene Autry was Himself/Tom Ford in The Big Show

Who did Gene Autry play in Shooting High?
Gene Autry was Will Carson in Shooting High

Who did Gene Autry play in Robin Hood of Texas?
Gene Autry was Himself in Robin Hood of Texas

Who did Gene Autry portray in Mystery Mountain [Serial]?
Gene Autry was Thomas in Mystery Mountain [Serial]

Who did Gene Autry play in Under Fiesta Stars?
Gene Autry was Gene Autry in Under Fiesta Stars


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Portions of Content Provided by All Movie Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC.