Who was Gene Autrys Sidekick?
Several talented actors provided comic relief in Gene Autry’s films, radio shows, and television shows. Smiley Burnette was Gene’s movie sidekick in 50 Republic Pictures and 7 Columbia Pictures movies. He also appeared on several of Gene’s pre-war Melody Ranch Radio Shows. Pat Buttram was Gene’s sidekick beginning in the late 1940s. Pat appeared in 17 Columbia Pictures films as Gene’s sidekick. In the late 1940s Pat was also on Gene Melody Ranch Radio Show. He was in 83 television episodes of The Gene Autry Show. Both Smiley and Pat toured with Gene for personal appearances and rodeos. Check out Boyd Magers’ book Gene Autry Westerns for the list of sidekicks and comic relief actors and their movies.
