Merle Travis was an American actor and musician, best known for his work in “Thank You for Smoking,” “Joe Versus the Volcano,” and “From Here to Eternity.” He was also a talented songwriter, famous for hits like “Sixteen Tons” and “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke (That Cigarette).”
Personal and Family Life
Merle Travis was born on November 29, 1917, in Rosewood, Kentucky, USA. He was married twice, first to Mary E. Johnson Edwards, with whom he had one child, and later to Judy Hayden. His musical career included achievements such as the development of the “Travis Picking” guitar style and performing alongside notable artists like Gene Autry during World War II.
Death and Legacy
Travis passed away on October 20, 1983, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, due to cardiopulmonary arrest. He left a lasting legacy in the music world and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977, celebrating his contributions to country music and songwriting.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| From Here to Eternity | 1953-08-28 | Sal Anderson |
| Five Minutes to Live | 1961-12-07 | Max |
| The Night Rider | 1962-01-01 | Kentucky |
| Galloping Thunder | 1946-04-24 | Guitar Player |
| Roaring Rangers | 1946-02-14 | Guitar Player Travis |
| Cyclone Fury | 1951-08-14 | Guitar Player |
| Lone Star Moonlight | 1946-12-12 | Merle Travis |
| Silver Spurs | 1946-12-30 | Vocalist-Guitarist |
| Old Chisholm Trail | 1946-12-30 | Vocalist |
| Merle Travis: Guitar Man | 2016-02-01 | Himself (archival footage) |
| That Tennessee Beat | 1966-10-01 | Larry Scofield |
| Montana Plains | 1944-12-04 | Musician |
| Why Did I Fall for Abner? | 1945-07-09 | Vocalist-Lead Guitarist |