Dale Evans Rogers (born Frances Octavia Smith; October 31, 1912 – February 7, 2001) was an American actress, singer, and songwriter. She was the third wife of singing cowboy Roy Rogers.

Early life

Evans was born Frances Octavia Smith on October 31, 1912, in

Uvalde, Texas Uvalde is a city and the county seat of Uvalde County, Texas, United States. The population was 15,217 at the 2020 census. Uvalde is located in the Texas Hill Country, west of downtown San Antonio and east of the Mexico–United States bord ...

, to Bettie Sue Wood and T. Hillman Smith. She had a tumultuous early life. She spent a lot of time living with her uncle, Dr. L.D. Massey MD FACP, an internal medicine physician, in Osceola, Arkansas. At age 14, she eloped with and married Thomas F. Fox, with whom she had one son, Thomas F. Fox Jr., when she was 15. A year later, abandoned by her husband, she found herself in

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mo ...

, a single parent pursuing a career in music. She landed jobs with Memphis radio stations (WMC and WREC), singing and playing piano. Divorced in 1929, she took the name Dale Evans while working at radio station WHAS (

Louisville, Kentucky Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border ...

) in the early 1930s after the station manager suggested it because he believed she could promote her singing career with a short pleasant sounding name that announcers and disc jockeys could easily pronounce.Dale Evans' biography
, royrogers.com; accessed May 16, 2014.

Early career

After beginning her career singing at the radio station where she was employed as a secretary, Evans had a productive career as a

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

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, and

big band A big band or jazz orchestra is a type of musical ensemble of jazz music that usually consists of ten or more musicians with four sections: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. Big bands originated during the early 1910s ...

singer that led to a screen test and contract with

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...

studios. She gained exposure on radio as the featured singer for a time on the Edgar Bergen/ Charlie McCarthy show. Throughout this early period, Evans went through two additional failed marriages, first with August Wayne Johns from 1929 to 1935; then with accompanist and arranger Robert Dale Butts from 1937 to 1946. Neither marriage produced children. During her time at

, the studio promoted her as the unmarried supporter of her teenage "brother" Tommy (actually her son Tom Fox, Jr.), a deception that continued through her divorce from Butts in 1946 and her development as a cowgirl co-star to Roy Rogers at Republic Studios.

Joint efforts

Evans married Roy Rogers on

New Year's Eve In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve, also known as Old Year's Day or Saint Sylvester's Day in many countries, is the evening or the entire day of the last day of the year, on 31 December. The last day of the year is commonly referred to ...

1947 at the Flying L Ranch in Davis, Oklahoma, where they had earlier filmed the movie '' Home in Oklahoma''. The successful marriage was Rogers' third and Evans' fourth; the two were a team on- and off-screen from 1946 until Rogers' death in 1998. Shortly after the wedding, Evans ended the deception regarding her son Tommy. Roy had an adopted daughter, Cheryl, and two biological children, Linda and Roy Jr. (Dusty), from his second marriage. Together they had one child, Robin Elizabeth, who died of complications of

Down syndrome Down syndrome or Down's syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is usually associated with physical growth delays, mild to moderate intellectual d ...

shortly before her second birthday. Her life inspired Evans to write her bestseller ''Angel Unaware''. Evans was very influential in changing public perceptions of children with developmental disabilities and served as a role model for many parents. After she wrote ''Angel Unaware'', a group then known as the “Oklahoma County Council for Mentally Retarded Children” adopted its better-known name Dale Rogers Training Center in her honor. She went on to write a number of religious and inspirational books, and she and Roy appeared many times with Billy Graham in Crusades all over the country, singing gospel songs and giving their testimony. Evans and Rogers adopted four other children: Mimi, Dodie, Sandy, and Debbie. From 1951 to 1957, Evans and Rogers starred in the highly-successful television series '' The Roy Rogers Show'', in which they continued their cowboy and cowgirl roles, with her riding her trusty buckskin horse,

Buttermilk Buttermilk is a fermented dairy drink. Traditionally, it was the liquid left behind after churning butter out of cultured cream. As most modern butter in western countries is not made with cultured cream but uncultured sweet cream, most m ...

. Alice Van-Springsteen served as a double for both Evans and Gail Davis, the actress who starred in the syndicated series '' Annie Oakley'', often performing such tasks as tipping over wagons and jumping railroad tracks. In addition to her successful TV shows, more than 30 films and some 200 songs, Evans wrote the song " Happy Trails". In later episodes of the program, she was outspoken in her

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global popula ...

, telling people that God would assist them with their troubles and imploring adults and children to turn to Him for guidance. In late 1962, the couple co-hosted a comedy-western-variety program, '' The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show'', which aired on ABC. It was canceled after three months, losing in the ratings to the first season of ''

The Jackie Gleason Show ''The Jackie Gleason Show'' is the name of a series of American network television shows that starred Jackie Gleason, which ran from 1952 to 1970, in various forms. ''Cavalcade of Stars'' Gleason's first variety series, which aired on the DuMon ...

''. In 1964, Evans spoke at a "Project Prayer" rally attended by 2,500 at the Shrine Auditorium in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

. The gathering, which was hosted by actor Anthony Eisley, star of ABC's '' Hawaiian Eye'' series, sought to flood the

United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is Bicameralism, bicameral, composed of a lower body, the United States House of Representatives, House of Representatives, and an upper body, ...

with letters in support of mandatory school prayer, following two decisions in 1962 and 1963 of the

United States Supreme Court The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that involve a point o ...

which struck down mandatory prayer as conflicting with the Establishment Clause of the

First Amendment to the United States Constitution The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prevents the government from making laws that regulate an establishment of religion, or that prohibit the free exercise of religion, or abridge the freedom of speech, the ...

. Evans supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election. RoyRogersDaleEvansKBF1970s

Joining Evans and Eisley at the Project Prayer rally were Walter Brennan, Lloyd Nolan, Rhonda Fleming,

Pat Boone Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer and actor. He was a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He sold more than 45 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and appeared in mo ...

, and Gloria Swanson. Evans declared, "It's high time that all America stood up to be counted. Let our children learn of the Lord and be free." Eisely and Fleming added that Rogers,

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Go ...

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

Mary Pickford Gladys Marie Smith (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979), known professionally as Mary Pickford, was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress and producer with a career that spanned five decades. A pioneer in the US film industry, she co-founde ...

, Jane Russell, Ginger Rogers, and Pat Buttram would have attended the rally had their schedules permitted. In the 1970s, Evans recorded several solo albums of religious music. During the 1980s, the couple introduced their films weekly on the former The Nashville Network. In the 1990s, Evans hosted her own religious television program. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at the 61st Academy Awards

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at the 61st Academy Awards

Death

Evans died of congestive heart failure on February 7, 2001, at the age of 88, in Apple Valley, California. She is interred at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley, next to Rogers.

Legacy

For her contribution to radio, Evans has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6638 Hollywood Blvd. She received a second star at 1737 Vine St. for her contribution to the television industry. In 1976, she was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in

Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, and ...

, Oklahoma. In 1995, she was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in

Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the List of cities in Texas by population, fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Texas and the List of United States cities by population, 13th-largest city in the United States. It is the county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, T ...

. In 1997, she was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame. She ranked No. 34 on '' CMT's 40 Greatest Women in Country Music'' in 2002. Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, a daughter of Roy Rogers and step-daughter of Evans, co-authored ''Cowboy Princess: Life with My Parents, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans'' with Frank Thompson. In her exhibit at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Evans is quoted as follows:

'Cowgirl' is an attitude really. A pioneer spirit, a special American brand of courage. The cowgirl faces life head-on, lives by her own lights, and makes no excuses. Cowgirls take stands; they speak up. They defend things they hold dear.

In 2001, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to her and Roy Rogers.Palm Springs Walk of Stars
(by date of dedication); accessed May 16, 2014.

Selected filmography

* '' Orchestra Wives'' (1942) * '' Girl Trouble'' (1942) * '' Swing Your Partner'' (1943) * '' The West Side Kid'' (1943) * ''

Hoosier Holiday ''Hoosier Holiday'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Dorrell McGowan and Stuart E. McGowan. The film stars George D. Hay, Isabel Randolph, Shug Fisher, Lillian Randolph, Dale Evans and George Byron. The ...

'' (1943) * '' Here Comes Elmer'' (1943) * '' In Old Oklahoma'' (1943) * ''

Casanova in Burlesque ''Casanova in Burlesque'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Frank Gill Jr.. The film stars Joe E. Brown, June Havoc, Dale Evans, Marjorie Gateson, Lucien Littlefield and Ian Keith. The film was released on ...

'' (1944) * ''

Cowboy and the Senorita '' Cowboy and the Senorita '' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers. The film marked the first appearance together of Rogers and his future wife, Dale Evans. Plot Roy and his sidekick Teddy Bear are ...

'' (1944) * '' The Yellow Rose of Texas'' (1944) * '' Song of Nevada'' (1944) * '' San Fernando Valley'' (1944) * '' Lights of Old Santa Fe'' (1944) * '' The Big Show-Off'' (1945) * ''

Utah Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to its ...

'' (1945) * '' Bells of Rosarita'' (1945) * '' The Man from Oklahoma'' (1945) * '' Hitchhike to Happiness'' (1945) * '' Along the Navajo Trail'' (1945) * '' Sunset in El Dorado'' (1945) * '' Don't Fence Me In'' (1945) * '' Song of Arizona'' (1946) * '' Rainbow Over Texas'' (1946) * ''

My Pal Trigger ''My Pal Trigger'' is a 1946 American Western musical film directed by Frank McDonald. The screenplay by Jack Townley and John K. Butler was based upon a story by Paul Gangelin. The film stars Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, George “Gabby” Hayes, ...

'' (1946) * '' Under Nevada Skies'' (1946) * ''

Roll on Texas Moon '' Roll on Texas Moon '' is a 1946 American Western film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers. Cast * Roy Rogers as Himself * Trigger as Roy's Horse (The Smartest Horse in the Movies) * George 'Gabby' Hayes as Gabby Whittaker * D ...

'' (1946) * '' Home in Oklahoma'' (1946) * ''

Out California Way ''Out California Way'' is a 1946 American Western musical film directed by Lesley Selander for Republic Pictures. It starred Monte Hale, Lorna Gray (billed as Adrian Booth) and Robert Blake. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans made cameo appearances. The ...

'' (1946) * '' Heldorado'' (1946) * ''

Apache Rose ''Apache Rose'' is a 1947 American Trucolor Western film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers. It was the first Roy Rogers Western shot in the process though most copies on DVD are in monochrome. Plot When oil is discovered on ...

'' (1947) * '' Bells of San Angelo'' (1947) * '' The Trespasser'' (1947) * '' Slippy McGee'' (1948) * ''

Susanna Pass '' Susanna Pass '' is a 1949 Republic Pictures Trucolor American Western film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers. Plot Cast * Roy Rogers as himself * Dale Evans as Kay 'Doc' Parker * Estelita Rodriguez as Rita * Martin Gar ...

'' (1949) * ''

Down Dakota Way '' Down Dakota Way '' is a 1949 American Trucolor Western film directed by William Witney starring Roy Rogers. Plot Roy Rogers is called in to investigate after the murder of a veterinarian by a rancher named McKenzie ( Roy Barcroft) who is ...

'' (1949) * '' The Golden Stallion'' (1949) * '' Bells of Coronado'' (1950) * ''

Twilight in the Sierras '' Twilight in the Sierras '' is a 1950 American Trucolor Western film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger (billed in the film's opening credits as the "Smartest Horse in the Movies"), along with Dale Evans, ...

'' (1950) * ''

Trigger, Jr. '' Trigger, Jr.'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers, his horse Trigger, and Dale Evans. It was one of a series of Roy Rogers films produced by Republic Pictures. Plot Cast *Roy Rogers *Dale E ...

(1950) * ''

South of Caliente '' South of Caliente '' is a 1951 American Western film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye; November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998) was an American singer, actor, and television host. Follow ...

'' (1951) * '' Pals of the Golden West'' (1951)

Notes

References

External links

Dale Evans Movie

Dale Evans Production

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Evans, Dale 1912 births 2001 deaths American women country singers American country singer-songwriters RCA Victor artists Bell Records artists American film actresses Western (genre) film actresses People from Uvalde, Texas 20th-century American actresses 20th Century Studios contract players 20th-century American singers Singer-songwriters from Texas People from Apple Valley, California People from Italy, Texas Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductees 20th-century American women singers California Republicans Country musicians from Texas Singer-songwriters from California