Sheb Wooley

Birth Name:

Shelby Fredrick Wooley

Birth Place:

Erick, Oklahoma, United States

Profession

Actor, Soundtrack, Writer

Was given his first guitar by his father, who traded in a shotgun in exchange for it
Developed his comedic alter ego, the drunken Ben Colder, in the late 1960s
First major TV role was as a frontier drover in the CBS western "Rawhide․"
Penned and performed the 1958 hit novelty song "Purple People Eater․"
Supplied the voice behind the famous "Wilhelm Scream," a sound effect used in films to accentuate a dramatic event or accident
Taught Roger Miller, who would later become a famous country musician, how to play the guitar
Was turned down for military enlistment during World War II due to previous injuries sustained at rodeo events

Fast Facts