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Gene AutryAmerican performer, actor
Date of Birth: 29.09.1907
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Gene Autry
Early Life and CareerGene Autry, born Orvon Eugene Autry, was an American performer and actor. He was born in 1907 in the town of Tioga, Texas. His parents, Delbert Autry and Elnora Ozment, moved to Oklahoma when Gene was attending high school. After graduating in 1925, he worked as a telegrapher for a railway company. During his downtime, Autry picked up a guitar and taught himself how to play. From then on, he spent his days composing songs with his guitar. One day, his talent caught the attention of famous comedian William Rogers, who advised Autry to consider a career as a professional musician. Gathering all his money, Autry went to New York to sign a contract with the renowned recording studio "RCA Victor." However, things did not go according to plan as the studio declined to collaborate, citing the presence of numerous similar artists. Eventually, the director of the company, Nathaniel Shilkret, took pity and wrote a letter of recommendation for Autry, which helped him secure a job on the radio. In 1928, Autry performed the composition "Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy" live on the "Tulsa" radio station. Just a few months later, "RCA Victor" themselves offered the young artist a collaboration. In his first months of work, Autry recorded the songs "My Dreaming of You" and "My Alabama," both of which became instant hits. In 1929, Autry accepted a contract from "Columbia Records." At the same time, he became a radio host for the show "National Barn Dance," which was broadcasted by a Chicago radio station.
Success in Music and Film
In 1932, Autry recorded the song "That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine," which immediately gained immense popularity. Some time later, Autry performed a cover version of the song "Back In The Saddle Again," which also became widely acclaimed. In 1949, he released his biggest hit, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Autry made his debut on the silver screen in 1934 in the film "In Old Santa Fe," where he portrayed a singing cowboy. A couple of years later, he received a role in the series "The Phantom Empire." Autry mainly starred in westerns and excelled in this genre to the extent that he became one of the most famous cowboys in the history of cinema. In 1940, Autry became the host of his own show, "Gene Autry Flying 'A' Ranch Rodeo." From 1940 to 1956, he gained immense popularity, largely due to the broadcasting of his show "Gene Autry's Melody Ranch" on the BBC radio station.
Later Life and Legacy
By 1964, Autry distanced himself from the show business world, having appeared in over 100 films and released at least 600 musical recordings. At this point, Autry had accumulated a massive fortune, which he decided to invest in real estate and the baseball team "Los Angeles Angels" (then known as the "California Angels"). Gene Autry passed away from lymphoma on October 2, 1998, in his own home in California. At the time of his death, Autry was included in Forbes magazine's list of the wealthiest people in the world, with a fortune of $320 million. It is known that Autry was married twice: first to May Spivey until her death in 1980, and later to Jacqueline Ellam. He did not have any children in either of his marriages.
It is worth noting that Gene Autry is the only person in the world whose star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame contains all five emblems.
