Born 114 Years Ago Today in the Lone Star State, the Singing Cowgirl Who Became a Country Music and TV Icon Alongside Roy Rogers
Dale Evans, born Frances Octavia Smith in Texas on 31 October 1912, became a country singer, songwriter and Western film star. Her partnership with Roy Rogers, both on screen and in music, made her a prominent figure in mid-century cowboy entertainment.
Evans co-starred with Rogers in 28 films and wrote more than 400 songs, including “Happy Trails”, the theme for their television series, which aired from 1951 to 1957. She began singing on local radio as a teenager and later performed with Chicago big bands before signing with 20th Century Fox in 1942. Evans died aged 88 in 2001; the couple also founded a charity supporting abused children.
In short
- Dale Evans was born in Texas in 1912.
- She appeared in 28 films with Roy Rogers.
- She wrote “Happy Trails” and more than 400 songs.
Explained simply
Dale Evans was an American singer, songwriter and actor who became known for Western films and television. She was born Frances Octavia Smith in Texas and began singing on local radio as a teenager.
Evans often worked with Roy Rogers, a popular singing cowboy and actor. They appeared together in films and on television, combining music with stories set in the American West.
Their television series ran from 1951 to 1957, and Evans wrote “Happy Trails”, its theme song. Their work helped make cowboy entertainment familiar to audiences across the United States, while their charity supported children who had been abused.
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