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15 Wild West Cowboys And Outlaws Who Made It to Hollywood

Sarony/Calamity Jane/Wikipedia

The Wild West has always captured the imagination with its tales of adventure, lawlessness, and rugged individuals. Remarkably, some of the most legendary figures from this era lived through its tumultuous times and saw their stories brought to life in Hollywood Westerns. Here are 15 fascinating Wild West figures who contributed to movies based on them as actors, producers, or in other ways.

George C. Contant

San Francisco Examiner/Wikipedia

George C. Contant, once known for mostly robbing trains, wrote an autobiography, A Pardoned Lifer (1909), warning against crime. He also produced the now-lost film The Folly of a Life of Crime around 1915. His final years are mostly unknown, though reports suggest he lived in San Francisco.

Cole Younger

Kuhn/Wikipedia

A notorious Confederate guerrilla turned outlaw after the Civil War, Cole Young joined the James-Younger Gang with his brothers and the James brothers. He later wrote a memoir portraying himself as a Confederate avenger rather than an outlaw. In 1903, he toured the South with Frank James in a Wild West show.

Roy Daughtery

Wikipedia

After being paroled in 1910, outlaw Arkansas Tom Jones, also known as Roy Daugherty, ran a restaurant before moving to Hollywood. There, he acted in Western films, including The Passing of the Oklahoma Outlaws, where he portrayed himself as the last surviving member of the Doolin-Dalton Gang.

Jesse James Jr.

Laddo/Wikipedia

Notorious train and bank robber Jesse James’ son, Jesse Edwards James, was accused of being involved in criminal activities. However, after being acquitted of train robbery, he wrote a memoir, Jesse James, My Father, published in 1899. In 1921, he appeared in Jesse James Under the Black Flag and Jesse James as the outlaw.

Buffalo Bill

Moffett/Wikipedia

One of the notable figures of the American West, William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, was a known frontiersman and lawman who made his mark as a buffalo hunter and scout. He captivated audiences worldwide with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, a spectacular show featuring reenactments and performances by icons like Annie Oakley.

Nat Love

Wikipedia

Famous for his impressive skills, Nat Love, or Deadwood Dick, charmed audiences as a Wild West performer with his exceptional riding and shooting. His autobiography, The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, highlighted his role as a trailblazer for Black cowboys and continues to inspire many.

Kitty Canutt

Historic Lewiston, Idaho/Facebook

As a pioneering rodeo performer and stuntwoman, Kitty Canutt, born Lillian Beatrice Combes, left audiences in awe with her daring feats. Known for her fearless stunt work in Hollywood and rodeos, she broke barriers for female performers. Her legacy, alongside her husband, Yakima Canutt, is memorable.

Calamity Jane

Wikimedia

An American frontierswoman and sharpshooter, she was famous for her daring exploits and connection to Wild Bill Hickok. In her later years, she performed in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show and at the Pan-American Exposition. Known for her compassion and habit of wearing men’s clothing, she became a celebrated frontier figure.

Annie Okaley

Baker’s Art Gallery/Wikipedia

Another Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show member, Annie Oakley, was a master of sharpshooting and thrilled audiences with her stunning performances. Her remarkable skills included shooting cigars from her husband’s hand and splitting cards. Oakley also appeared in early films and staged plays and promoted female self-defense.

Heck Thomas

jerseyrebel/Wikipedia

Bringing the gritty reality of frontier law enforcement to the silver screen, The Bank Robbery featured Heck Thomas, a legendary Old West lawman. The 1921 film, reflecting his real-life adventures, highlighted his bold efforts to combat crime and restore order and gave audiences a taste of his heroic legacy.

Emmet Dalton

State of Kansas/Wikipedia

Emmett Dalton, infamous for his role in the Dalton Gang, survived a failed bank robbery with 23 gunshot wounds. After serving 14 years in prison, he turned to writing and acting. His life story inspired the 1918 silent film Beyond the Law, in which he portrayed himself.

Henry Starr

Wikipedia

Facing frequent arrests for minor offenses, Henry Starr decided to turn to bank robbery for more significant rewards. He was imprisoned again in 1915 and penned his autobiography, Thrilling Events, Life of Henry Starr. After his release, Starr appeared in the 1919 silent film A Debtor to the Law, portraying a dramatized version of himself.

Al Jennings

National Photo Company Collection/Wikipedia

Once a train robber, Alphonso J. “Al” Jennings transitioned into a career as a silent film actor and technical adviser. After moving to Oklahoma City, he ran for county attorney in 1912 and governor in 1914. His role in the 1914 film Beating Back, based on his biography, boosted his political efforts.

Ben Johnson

RKO-radio/Wikipedia

Although he started as a stuntman, Johnson’s true Hollywood breakthrough came through his exceptional horsemanship and down-to-earth style. As a world-champion rodeo cowboy and actor, he brought genuine authenticity to Western roles. His career took off when John Ford cast him in films.

Wyatt Earp

Wikipedia

Though Wyatt Earp rubbed elbows with Hollywood’s elite and eagerly pursued a film career, he was only depicted in one movie. His real-life stories of frontier justice and law enforcement intrigued many. Yet, it wasn’t until after his death that Hollywood turned his life into a cinematic legend, where he was portrayed in many films and shows.

Written by Ian Bronson

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