Louis Burton Lindley Jr. (June 29, 1919 â€" December 8, 1983), better
known by his stage name Slim Pickens, was an American rodeo performer
and film and television actor. For much of his career Pickens played
mainly cowboy roles; he is perhaps best remembered today for his comic
roles in Dr. Strangelove, Blazing Saddles and 1941.Louis Burton
Lindley Jr. was born in Kingsburg, California, the son of Sally Mosher
(née Turk) and Louis Bert Lindley Sr., a Texas-born dairy farmer.
Young Lindley was an excellent horse rider from an early age. Known as
"Burt" to his family and friends, he grew bored with dairy farming and
began to make a few dollars by riding broncos and roping steers in his
early teens. His father found out and forbade this activity, but
Lindley took no notice, went to compete in a rodeo, and was told by
the doubtful rodeo manager that there would be "slim pickin's" (i.e.
little chance of any prize money) for him.To prevent his father from
discovering that he had competed, he entered his name as Slim Pickens,
and won $400 that afternoon. Lindley graduated from Hanford High
School, Hanford, California, and was a member of the Future Farmers of
America. He joined the rodeo, billed as Slim Pickens, and eventually
became a well-known rodeo clown.During World War II, he enlisted in
the United States Army. Reportedly when the recruiter asked him his
profession, he responded "Rodeo". This was misread on a form as
"radio", and he spent his entire enlistment at a radio station in the
American Midwest.
known by his stage name Slim Pickens, was an American rodeo performer
and film and television actor. For much of his career Pickens played
mainly cowboy roles; he is perhaps best remembered today for his comic
roles in Dr. Strangelove, Blazing Saddles and 1941.Louis Burton
Lindley Jr. was born in Kingsburg, California, the son of Sally Mosher
(née Turk) and Louis Bert Lindley Sr., a Texas-born dairy farmer.
Young Lindley was an excellent horse rider from an early age. Known as
"Burt" to his family and friends, he grew bored with dairy farming and
began to make a few dollars by riding broncos and roping steers in his
early teens. His father found out and forbade this activity, but
Lindley took no notice, went to compete in a rodeo, and was told by
the doubtful rodeo manager that there would be "slim pickin's" (i.e.
little chance of any prize money) for him.To prevent his father from
discovering that he had competed, he entered his name as Slim Pickens,
and won $400 that afternoon. Lindley graduated from Hanford High
School, Hanford, California, and was a member of the Future Farmers of
America. He joined the rodeo, billed as Slim Pickens, and eventually
became a well-known rodeo clown.During World War II, he enlisted in
the United States Army. Reportedly when the recruiter asked him his
profession, he responded "Rodeo". This was misread on a form as
"radio", and he spent his entire enlistment at a radio station in the
American Midwest.
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