Smiley Burnette Overview:

Character actor, Smiley Burnette, was born Lester Alvin Burnette on Mar 18, 1911 in Summum, IL. Burnette died at the age of 55 on Feb 16, 1967 in Encino, CA .

MINI BIO:

In the days when every "B" western star had comic-books devoted to their imaginary adventures, only two "sidekicks" were awarded the accolade of a comic to themselves. One of these was George "Gabby" Hayes; the other was tubby Smiley Burnette, with his flapjack black stetson, and manic humor. Living up to his nickname by always grinning, Burnette came on like a chubbier version of Eddie Bracken, coming into films with his friend Gene Autry (whose radio vocals he had backed on guitar). He remained one of the most popular "B"-westerners, with a number of partners, through the 1930s and 1940s, sticking with the genre until it petered out in 1953. When appearing as a regular on the TV comedy series Petticoat Junction, Burnette learned that he had leukemia, the disease that killed him at 55. Also a prolific songwriter.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Character Actors: an Illustrated Directory).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures.

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Smiley Burnette Quotes:

Briny Deep: I'm gonna fry a parrot one of these days.


[Ann has fired Gene and Frog for causing her to miss her train]
Frog Milhouse: We got back salary comin'!
Ann Randolph: [pointing to a cow] There it is - on the hoof!
Frog Milhouse: Gonna be kind of hard breakin' that into small change.


[Smiley gets the drop on the Sheriff and his men and prevents them from interrupting a delicate operation]
Frog Millhouse: Whoa! Don't go any further. The doctor's doin' a little operatin' in there. Just throw your smokepots right over there.


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Smiley Burnette on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame



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Smiley Burnette Facts
Comedian.

He was replaced by Pat Buttram as Gene Autry's sidekick in the forties.

Played 100 instruments proficiently.

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