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Pat ButtramAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 19.06.1915
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Pat Buttram
Pat Buttram, an American actor, was known for his roles in films with Gene Autry and was one of America's most recognizable comedic artists. He had a distinctive and gravelly voice, which was described as sounding like a handful of gravel thrown into a mixer.
Early Life
Maxwell Emmett Buttram was born on June 19, 1915, in the small town of Addison, Alabama. He was the son of Wilson McDaniel Buttram, a Methodist minister, and his wife Mary Emmett Maxwell. Pat had six older siblings. When he was one year old, his father was transferred to Nauvoo, Alabama, a smaller town. Pat completed high school in Jefferson County and enrolled in college with the intention of becoming a minister. During his time in college, he participated in theatrical productions and performed on a local radio station.
Radio Career
Pat left Alabama a month before his 18th birthday to attend the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. While there, he caught the attention of a radio announcer from WLS who was conducting interviews with fair visitors. Pat's witty and humorous observations impressed the announcer, and he was offered a job at the radio station. This led to a long and successful collaboration with the musical comedy program "National Barn Dance."
Partnership with Gene Autry
During his time on "National Barn Dance," Pat became acquainted with Gene Autry, the show's main star. Gene was impressed by the young comedian and later offered him a role as his comedic sidekick in Western films, replacing Smiley Burnette. Pat's original intention was to become a sidekick to another Western star, Roy Rogers, but Gene Autry came to his rescue. Together, Pat and Gene appeared in over 40 Western films and 83 episodes of "The Gene Autry Show" from 1950 to 1956. They remained close friends until Pat's death in 1994.
Later Career
In addition to his work with Gene Autry, Pat Buttram played Mr. Haney in the popular sitcom "Green Acres" from 1965 to 1971. He also lent his distinctive voice to various animated characters, including Napoleon in "The Aristocats," the Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood," and Chief in "The Fox and the Hound." Pat had around 70 roles in movies, animation, and TV shows.
Legacy
In 1982, Pat Buttram created and organized the Golden Boot Awards, an annual film award ceremony honoring professionals who made significant contributions to the Western genre. He married Dorothy McFadden in 1936 and adopted a daughter named Gayle, but they divorced in 1946. In 1952, he married actress Sheila Ryan, and they had a daughter. Pat retired from acting in 1980 and settled in Winston County, Alabama, but later returned to California. He passed away on January 8, 1994, at the age of 78, due to kidney failure. Pat Buttram is survived by his daughter Kerry Buttram-Galgano and two granddaughters, Natalie and Angie Galgano. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Alabama Walk of Fame in Birmingham, Alabama, for his contributions to the film industry.
