Smiley Burnette

Smiley Burnette
Burnette in 1937
Burnette in 1937
Background information
Birth nameLester Alvin Burnett
Also known asSmiley Burnette
Born(1911-03-18)March 18, 1911
Summum, Illinois, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 1967(1967-02-16) (aged 55)
Encino, California, U.S.
GenresCountry music
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
  • film actor
  • inventor
Instrument(s)Accordion, guitar, banjo, many others
Years active1933–1967
LabelsAbbott
Starday
Capitol
Columbia
ARA
Rancho
WebsiteSmiley Burnette.org

Lester Alvin Burnett (March 18, 1911 – February 16, 1967), better known as Smiley Burnette, was an American country music performer and a comedic actor in Western films and on radio and TV, playing sidekick to Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and other B-movie cowboys.[1] He was also a prolific singer-songwriter who is reported to have played proficiently over 100 musical instruments, sometimes more than one simultaneously.[2] His career, beginning in 1934, spanned four decades, including a regular role on CBS-TV's Petticoat Junction in the 1960s.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Burnette, Elizabeth was invoked but never defined (see the help page).