Ever wondered about the life of a true Western hero, a figure who embodied the spirit of the American frontier? Wild Bill Elliott, more than just an actor, was an icon of the silver screen, forever etched in the annals of Hollywood history as the quintessential cowboy.
Born Gordon A. Nance on October 16, 1904 (some sources suggest Gordon Ami Nance and October 16, 1903), in Pattonsburg, Missouri, Elliott's journey from a cattle broker's son to a celebrated Western star is a captivating tale of ambition, transformation, and enduring legacy. His father, Leroy Roy Whitfield Nance, was a commissioner at the Kansas City Stockyards, providing young Gordon with an early exposure to the rugged lifestyle that would later define his on-screen persona. He wasn't born "Wild Bill" Elliott; that persona was carefully crafted and embraced later in his career. He passed away November 26, 1965, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was buried at Palm Desert Memorial in Las Vegas.
| Wild Bill Elliott: Bio, Career & Personal Life | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Gordon A. Nance (some sources indicate Gordon Ami Nance) |
| Birth Date | October 16, 1904 (or 1903, depending on source) |
| Birth Place | Pattonsburg, Missouri, USA |
| Death Date | November 26, 1965 |
| Death Place | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Burial Place | Palm Desert Memorial, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1925 - 1965 (approximately) |
| Spouse(s) | Information not readily available in provided content. |
| Children | Information not readily available in provided content. |
| Father | Leroy Roy Whitfield Nance (Cattle Broker/Commissioner at Kansas City Stockyards) |
| Mother | Maude Myrtle Auldridge |
| Known For | Playing rugged heroes in B Westerns, particularly the Red Ryder series |
| Nickname | Wild Bill Elliott |
| Catchphrase | "I'm a peaceable man." |
| Early Career | Occasional extra work in films starting around 1925. |
| Training | Took classes at the Pasadena Playhouse; appeared in a few stage roles. |
| Breakthrough | Transitioned to leading roles in Westerns, eventually becoming known as Wild Bill Elliott. |
| Key Film Series | Red Ryder series (as Red Ryder), other B Westerns |
| Studio Affiliations | Columbia Pictures (early career), Republic Pictures (later career) |
| Significant Change in Appearance | His range costume evolved from buckskins at Columbia to a shirt with a 'storm flap' and 'many buttons.' |
| Legacy | One of Hollywood's most prolific Western performers, appearing in over 170 films. |
| External Resources | |
| Wild Bill Elliott on IMDb |
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