The Rodeo and Hollywood : Rodeo Cowboys on Screen and Western Actors in the Arena

At rodeos in the 1940s, Gene Autry sang and jumped his horse, Champion, through a flaming hoop. In 1960s rodeo arenas, Lorne Greene and Dan Blocker acted out a skit from their hit television show Bonanza. In the same era familiar rodeo personalities like Hoot Gibson and Slim Pickens could be seen in movies or television shows.

This book profiles performers who crossed over between film studio and rodeo arena when Hollywood and the rodeo circuit were closely linked. The first part traces the careers of rodeo participants who also contributed to film or television. The next two sections describe rodeo appearances of Western screen stars who entertained at rodeos. Some appeared solo and others with a television co-star or two. A fourth section summarizes rodeo-related films. Appendices introduce golden age rodeo personalities and outline rodeos known for presenting Western stars.