Roy Rogers
Leonard Slye, famous as Roy Rogers (November 5, 1911 - July 6, 1998), was a singing cowboy actor. He and his wife Dale Evans and his horse Trigger were featured in countless TV shows and movies along with his sidekick Pat Brady (who drove a jeep called Nellybelle) and crotchety bushwhacker sidekick Gabby Hayes. He was known as the "King of the Cowboys".He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His first success was as a radio singer with the popular western cowboy music group, the Sons of the Pioneers, but his greatest renown came in western films. From his first film appearance in 1935, he worked steadily in film and TV until his death. Most of his films were in color in an era when almost all other B-movies were black and white.
The Sons of the Pioneers continued their popularity through the 1950s. Although Rogers was no longer a member, they often appeared as Rogers' backup group in films and on TV.
Rogers and Evans were also well known as advocates for adoption and as founders and operators of children's charities. They lost a child, which Evans wrote about in her book Angel Unawares, but adopted several children. Both were outspoken Christians. Universally admired, their home in Apple Valley, California is where numerous streets, highways and other municipal and county buildings have been named after them in recognition of their efforts to help the homeless and handicapped children.
Roy and Dale often sang duets. They are best remembered for their signoff duet from their 1950s TV show, "Happy trails to you, Until we meet again...."
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