Roy Rogers’ Life Story

Roy Rogers influenced Americans more than any other Western musician. He was the “King of the Cowboys.” He performed in many films in the 1940s and 1950s and played country music in the 1930s. He was one of America’s brightest stars and is still admired today. We look at an icon’s life through vintage photos.

Roy Rogers started poorly. He was born Leonard Slye on November 5, 1911, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

One gift was a horse, which Roy Rogers learned to ride. He loved horses, and this gift from his father helped him become a western star.

The Slyes often invited neighbors to square dances. Rogers would sing, play the mandolin, and call the dances. He also learned to yodel. His early performances helped him find his passion for entertainment.

He was brilliant but never graduated. After his second year in high school, the family moved back to Cincinnati in 1927, and his father worked in another shoe factory.

He needed money for his family, so he joined his father at the factory in Cincinnati. 

The Slyes moved again in 1931, living in Inglewood, California. This is where Rogers got his first chance. Rogers appeared on a radio show called Midnight Frolic. His singing and yodeling caught the interest of a local band called “The Rocky Mountaineers.”

Rogers started dating Lucile Ascolese in 1932. He met her when he bought a horse named Golden Cloud, which he renamed Trigger. Ascolese married Rogers in 1933.

But their honeymoon was short. The couple realized they weren’t right for each other and rushed into a commitment. They split up in 1936.

Rogers married again and fell in love. While on tour with the O-Bar-O Cowboys, Roy met Grace Arline Wilkins in Roswell, New Mexico. She promised to bake him a pie if he sang “The Swiss Yodel.”

Rogers followed through, and they stayed in touch. After his marriage ended, Rogers and Wilkins began dating and married in June 1936.

Roy’s success began with music while working with the Sons of the Pioneers. After being renamed by a radio announcer, they became more popular. By the summer of 1934, they were popular in LA.

Rogers started taking his career seriously. In 1935, he began working in films. 

He got his big break in 1938 when he auditioned for a singing cowboy role at Republic Pictures. Rogers got the part and made his debut in Under Western Stars, a hit film that helped him get started in Hollywood.

Roy Rogers married Grace Wilkins in 1936, and they were happy. But they had a baby. Doctors said they couldn’t have a baby naturally for medical reasons.

In 1941, Roy and Grace adopted Cheryl Darlene Rogers.

Grace was pregnant again after adopting their first daughter. In 1943, they welcomed Linda Lou Rogers.

In 1945, Grace was pregnant again. She gave birth to Roy Jr. in 1946. But Roy was heartbroken, too. Grace died a few days later, leaving Roy Rogers widowed.

After Grace died, Roy met the actress Dale Evans.

After Grace died, the two married in 1947. They were married until he died in 1998.

He later received more awards. In 1983, he won the Golden Boot Award, and in 1996, he received the Golden Boot Founders’ Award.

The Muppet Show, created by Jim Henson, was one of the best TV shows ever. The show had many famous guests, including Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.

In 1968, Rogers let the Marriott Company open a series of restaurants under his name. Roy Rogers Restaurants opened in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. There are still 48 Roy Rogers Restaurants in the US.

Roy Rogers died in Apple Valley, California, on July 6, 1998. He was 86, with his wife, Dale Evans, and family at his side.

He also had many heart surgeries in his later years, which contributed to his death. He was known as the King of the Cowboys. Although he may have left us, we still love him for his great performances, music, and personality.