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Maxwell Emmett Buttram,
famously known as “Pat Buttram,” was born June 19, 1915, in
Addison, Alabama to Wilson McDaniel Buttram and Mary Emmett
Maxwell. He had a brother, Augustus “Gus” McDaniel, born on
June 21, 1913.
The son of a circuit-riding
Methodist preacher in rural Alabama, Pat Buttram became one of
America’s best-known comic entertainers. Pat left Alabama a
month before his 18th birthday to attend the 1933 Chicago
World’s Fair. An announcer from radio station WLS was on hand
to interview members of the crowd and settled on Pat as a
typical visitor from the south. The interview that followed
was anything but typical. Pat made a hit with his hilarious
observations on the fair and was immediately offered a job
with the station. This led to a long and happy association
with the popular National Barn Dance program.
During those years, Pat met
Gene Autry, who took a liking to the young comic and later
brought him to Hollywood to replace Smiley Burnette, who had
found other work while Gene served in WWII. Together, Pat and
Gene made many western films and a television series, “The
Gene Autry Show,” which aired from 1950 until 1956. They
remained close friends until Pat’s death in 1994.
In 1952, Pat married actress
Sheila Ryan, whom he had met on the set of “Mule Train.” Over
the next forty years, Pat prospered in radio, films and
television, making stand-up appearances on the Ed Sullivan
Show and lending his vocal talents to many animated television
shows and films, including several Disney features.
In the early Sixties, he
revealed a flair for dramatic acting when Alfred Hitchcock
tapped him for roles in two “Alfred Hitchcock Hour” episodes.
His big television break came in 1965 with the role of “Mr.
Haney” in the long-running CBS series, “Green Acres.”
Throughout his career, Pat was in constant demand as a
toastmaster and after dinner speaker, where his agile and
sophisticated wit belied his ingenuous appearance.
In 1982, Pat founded the
Golden Boot Awards to honor actors, directors, stunt people
and other industry professionals who have made significant
contributions to the Western film genre. Proceeds from the
annual event are donated to the Motion Picture Health and
Welfare Fund.
Winston County Genealogical Society
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