Singing Cowboy: Tex Ritter was born in Texas and was, in fact, a pre-law student before gaining fame as a singing cowboy.
He first gained attention by signing four western songs in the Broadway show “Green Grow the Lilacs” then made his way to a number of radio shows before being contracted with a producer-agent who got him work in movies.
He ultimately starred in 58 signing cowboy films between 1936-45.His first was in “Song of the Gringo”. But he was always in the shadow of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry throughout his career.
He recorded for Decca and Capital Records. One of his biggest recorded hits was “Do Not Forsake Me O My Darling”, the Academy Award winning theme of the movie “High Noon” (1952).
He later hosted his own syndicated TV show called “Tex Ritter’s Ranch Party” in 1957-58. Ritter was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1964. His son John Ritter was a famous comedian and TV star.