biography
| name: |
Ritter, Tex
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| |
popular name of Woodward Maurice Ritter
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1905–74)
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| biography:
| Country music singer and songwriter, born in Murvaul, Texas, USA, the father of John Ritter. While studying at the University of Texas he became interested in cowboy songs and folklore, and although he began law school at Northwestern University, he left to take up a career as a folksinger. By 1930 he had his first role on Broadway, made his first film in 1936, and during the 1930s he appeared in more Broadway musicals and began to record cowboy songs. During 1936–45 he appeared in 60 Hollywood Westerns as a singing cowboy, becoming known as ‘America's Most Beloved Cowboy’. As his film popularity declined, he toured in live shows with his horse, White Flash, and continued his recording career. His several hit singles included the title song for the film High Noon (1952) and in the 1950s he hosted a radio dance show. He moved to Nashville to join the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ in 1965. In 1970 he was unsuccessful in his bid for the Republican nomination for US senator from Tennessee. |
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