Sheb Wooley American country singer and actor Date of Birth: 10.04.1921 Country: USA

1. Biography of Sheb Wooley
2. Army Service and Career
3. Music Career
4. Legacy and Later Years

Biography of Sheb Wooley

Sheb Wooley, born Shelby F. Wooley in 1921, was an American country singer and actor. He was born in Erick, a small town in western Oklahoma. Growing up in a family involved in farming and livestock, Sheb began learning horseback riding at a young age. He started working as a cowboy and participating in rodeos, all while playing in his first country band.

Army Service and Career

In the 1940s, Sheb attempted to volunteer for military service but was deemed unfit due to multiple injuries and fractures sustained from his work as a cowboy and participating in rodeos. Instead, he worked as a welder for an oil company.

In 1945, Sheb tried unsuccessfully to move to Nashville, Tennessee, where he believed he could pursue a career in music. He then relocated to Fort Worth, Texas in 1946. Throughout his life, Sheb appeared in numerous films, with his first being the western film "Rocky Mountain" directed by Errol Flynn. His most notable role was in the film "High Noon" directed by Fred Zinnemann, where he portrayed the leader of a gang robbing a town. Sheb also appeared in the popular TV show "The Cisco Kid" as Bill Bronson.

Music Career

In the late 1950s, Sheb recorded the song "Purple People Eater," which became a national hit. Following its success, he recorded a series of songs, but none reached the same level of success as his first hit. Additionally, Sheb wrote songs for other artists, many of which became popular.

In March 1962, Sheb's song "That's My Pa" reached the top of the American country chart. He became a regular participant on "The Muppet Show," where he portrayed the perpetually drunk poet and country singer Ben Colder. He even performed concerts and recorded music under this name.

Legacy and Later Years

Sheb Wooley is remembered for another peculiar contribution – the recording of a scream that was subsequently used in over 150 films. This scream, known as the "Wilhelm scream," was used as a sound effect for scenes where someone falls from a great height. It can be heard in the "Star Wars" anthology and numerous modern films.

In 1986, Sheb played the role of Cletus Summers, a school principal, in the film "Hoosiers." He continued making appearances on screen in the 1990s, but in 1996, he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Sheb Wooley passed away in 2003 at the age of 82 in Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. His body was cremated, and his remains were interred at the Hendersonville Memory Gardens cemetery in Hendersonville. A year before his death, Sheb was awarded the "American Treasure" award, personally presented to him by a senator from Tennessee.