Hoot Gibson was an American actor who is best known for his roles in silent and early talking Westerns. He gained popularity as a cowboy star in the 1920s, appearing in numerous films that delighted both children and adults.
Personal and Family Life
Born Edmund Richard Gibson on August 6, 1892, in Tekamah, Nebraska, he grew up surrounded by horses. After his family moved to California, Hoot had a fascination with rodeos and later pursued a career in stunts and acting. He was married four times, with his last wife being Dorothea Dunstan, whom he married in 1942, and they remained together until his death.
Career
Hoot Gibson began his film career as a stuntman and transitioned into acting, quickly becoming a popular cowboy star. He was well-known for his comic lighthearted roles in Westerns and made a substantial income during his prime. Despite his fame, he experienced turmoil due to multiple divorces and financial struggles later in life.
Death and Legacy
Hoot Gibson passed away from cancer on August 23, 1962, in Woodland Hills, California, just two weeks after his 70th birthday. Despite a challenging life towards the end, he is remembered for the joy he brought to audiences and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Horse Soldiers | 1959-06-11 | Sgt. Brown |
| Cavalcade of the West | 1936-10-01 | Clint Knox |
| The Painted Stallion | 1937-06-05 | Walter Jamison |
| Clearing the Range | 1931-04-01 | Curt ‘El Capitan’ Fremont |
| Frontier Justice | 1936-10-01 | Brent Halston |
| Wild Horse | 1931-08-02 | Jim Wright |
| The Hard Hombre | 1931-09-20 | William Penn ‘Peaceful’ Patton |
| Marked Trails | 1944-07-29 | Hoot Parkford |
| Lucky Terror | 1936-02-20 | Lucky ‘The Lucky Terror’ Carson |
| A Man’s Land | 1932-06-10 | Tex Mason |