Orvon Gene Autry was born September 29, 1907, just outside Tioga, Texas. Autry was born to father Delbert Autry and mother Elnora Ozmont. His grandfather was a Methodist preacher. The family relocated to Ravia, Oklahoma, when Autry was in his mid-teens. Graduating from high school in 1925, Autry went on to work for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway in the position of telegrapher.

Autry’s vocal talent and his ability with the guitar, although unpolished, earned him several performances at dances and events around town. Will Rogers is often credited with discovering Autry while he worked as a telegrapher in 1928. Shortly after this chance meeting Autry was performing on the radio and he officially became known as Oklahoma’s Yodeling Cowboy. As his radio fan base grew Autry became equally known for his cowboy code, which was a list of rules cowboys and civilians alike should observe. They included everything from "never shoot first," to "always tell the truth," to "a cowboy is a patriot."

Autry’s singing career took off in 1931 after he signed with Columbia Records. His radio show, National Barn Dance, ran for four years, and he simultaneously recorded many hits including "I’m Back in the Saddle Again," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and perhaps his most popular and well-known "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." His music has been featured in countless television shows and movies, including National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, with Chevy Chase, Juliette Lewis, Diane Ladd, Doris Roberts, and Randy Quaid; Sleepless in Seattle, with Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, and Rosie O Donnell; and The Stepford Wives, with Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Glen Close, Bette Midler, and Christopher Walken.

Crossing into other genres, Autry made his film debut in 1934 with In Old Santa Fe, although he was not even credited for the role. Climbing the ladder quickly, he landed a lead role the following year in The Phantom Empire, a twelve part series. Autry’s likeable persona landed him an astounding forty-four films in the next decade. Almost all the films were B westerns, and they almost always featured Smiley Burnette as his faithful sidekick.

Autry’s popularity seemed to peak between 1937, when he earned the top spot for Western stars in the box office, and 1942, when he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Music, Original Song. Fulfilling his repeated claims of patriotism and national duty, Autry then served in World War II.

Autry officially retired from show business in 1964. To his name, he completed nearly one hundred films and an astounding six hundred records and by 1969, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

During his retirement, Autry became the owner of the Los Angeles Angels, which shouldn’t surprise his most avid fans who know Autry had an opportunity to play in the minors before his entertainment career began. From 1983 to his death in 1998, he also served as the American League vice president.

Autry remains in the mind of the American public as one of the most versatile and well-loved figures in entertainment. He is also noted for being the only person to receive five separate stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In his personal life, Autry married twice. His first wife was Ina Mae Spivey, whom he married in 1932. Her death in 1980 ended the forty-eight year marriage. He remarried a year later to Jacqueline Ellam until his death in 1998.

Autry died on October 2, 1998, from lymphoma leaving behind a lasting legacy of his songs, work, and personality.

YUDDY