Slim Pickens Biography

Fast Facts

• In 1986 he was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame, and in 2005 he was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
• Began riding at a very young age and was an excellent rider at age four, joining the rodeo after he graduated from high school
• Quote: "(In a 1967 interview, on appearing on "Bonanza") "[I] had to wear lifts․․․․ I'm 6 feet 3 but alongside Dan Blocker I guess they thought I looked like Mickey Rooney․""
• Played the evil bank robber in "The Apple Dumpling Gang" the same year he starred in "Poor Pretty Eddie․"
• He credited his role as Major T․J․ "King" Kong in "Dr․ Strangelove" was a turning point in his career
• Was the original choice to play Dick Hollaran in "The Shinning," but declined the offer after a bad experience working with director Stanley Kubrick and had no desire to work with him again
• Had a southern drawl, even though he was born and raised in California