Kenneth Olin "Ken" Maynard (July 21, 1895 â€" March 23, 1973) was an
American actor and producer. He was mostly active from the 1920s to
the 1940s and considered one of the biggest Western stars in
Hollywood.Maynard was also an occasional screenwriter and director. In
1960, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his
contributions to the film industry.Maynard was born in Vevay, Indiana,
one of five children, another of whom, his lookalike younger brother,
Kermit, would also become an actor; most audience members assumed that
Kermit was his brother's identical twin. Ken Maynard began working at
carnivals and circuses, where he became an accomplished horseman. As a
young man, he performed in rodeos and was a trick rider with Buffalo
Bill's Wild West Show.Maynard served in the United States Army during
World War I. After the war, Maynard returned to show business as a
circus rider with Ringling Brothers. When the circus was playing in
Los Angeles, California, actor Buck Jones encouraged Maynard to try
working in the movies. Maynard soon had a contract with Fox Studios.
American actor and producer. He was mostly active from the 1920s to
the 1940s and considered one of the biggest Western stars in
Hollywood.Maynard was also an occasional screenwriter and director. In
1960, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his
contributions to the film industry.Maynard was born in Vevay, Indiana,
one of five children, another of whom, his lookalike younger brother,
Kermit, would also become an actor; most audience members assumed that
Kermit was his brother's identical twin. Ken Maynard began working at
carnivals and circuses, where he became an accomplished horseman. As a
young man, he performed in rodeos and was a trick rider with Buffalo
Bill's Wild West Show.Maynard served in the United States Army during
World War I. After the war, Maynard returned to show business as a
circus rider with Ringling Brothers. When the circus was playing in
Los Angeles, California, actor Buck Jones encouraged Maynard to try
working in the movies. Maynard soon had a contract with Fox Studios.
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