Rufus Davidson (December 2, 1908 â€" December 13, 1974), known as Rufe
Davis, was an American actor. He appeared in over 30 films between
1937 and 1969, including 14 of the Three Mesquiteers titles. Davis
played railroad conductor Floyd Smoot on the CBS television series
Petticoat Junction from 1963â€"1968 and in 1970 guest
appearances.Davis was raised on a farm in Vinson, Oklahoma. He was one
of 12 children. He went into show business at the age of 20, adopted
the name "Rufe Davis" (though he continued to use his real name in
private life) and joined the Weaver Brothers & Elviry vaudeville
touring company in 1929. He sang and did impressions of animal and
train sounds. He would continue to perform live throughout his career.
A 1949 review of his act at the Los Angeles Orpheum says, "Rufe Davis
wins mitts with his rural comedy routines, imitations of instruments
and train whistles." While he was in New York City in the 1930s,
Davis was helpful to The Andrews Sisters at the start of their career,
loaning them money and helping them obtain bookings.Beginning in 1932,
Davis starred on the radio show Rufe Davis and the Radio Rubes. Davis
and the Rubes were a quartet who performed comedy sketches and music.
Davis and the Rubes also starred in the 1936 comedy/musical short film
The City's Slicker.
Davis, was an American actor. He appeared in over 30 films between
1937 and 1969, including 14 of the Three Mesquiteers titles. Davis
played railroad conductor Floyd Smoot on the CBS television series
Petticoat Junction from 1963â€"1968 and in 1970 guest
appearances.Davis was raised on a farm in Vinson, Oklahoma. He was one
of 12 children. He went into show business at the age of 20, adopted
the name "Rufe Davis" (though he continued to use his real name in
private life) and joined the Weaver Brothers & Elviry vaudeville
touring company in 1929. He sang and did impressions of animal and
train sounds. He would continue to perform live throughout his career.
A 1949 review of his act at the Los Angeles Orpheum says, "Rufe Davis
wins mitts with his rural comedy routines, imitations of instruments
and train whistles." While he was in New York City in the 1930s,
Davis was helpful to The Andrews Sisters at the start of their career,
loaning them money and helping them obtain bookings.Beginning in 1932,
Davis starred on the radio show Rufe Davis and the Radio Rubes. Davis
and the Rubes were a quartet who performed comedy sketches and music.
Davis and the Rubes also starred in the 1936 comedy/musical short film
The City's Slicker.
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