Smiley Burnette
contributor: Richard LaBrosse
Oconto County Times Herald
Thursday, February 23, 1967
Suring -- Smiley Burnette, noted movie and television character actor who
died Thursday, February 16th, at the age of 55, was once a resident of
the Hickory area in Oconto County, residents recall. He was the son of
the Rev. and Mrs. George Burnette who served the Hickory Church of Christ
in the World War 1 era and was a small child when the family moved away
in May of 1917. Mrs. Norman Stewart and Mrs. Marie McMahon, both of Suring,
recall the Burnette family as a talented people who often entertained with
singing at church functions. Smiley had a sister, Dove, who graduated from
Hickory Grade School. Smiley went on to become a top movie character actor
in the western field, and was featured with Gene Autry in Many movies.
In recent years he appeared on the television program "Petticoat Junction".
Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. McMahon state that Smiley returned to Hickory a number
of years ago for a brief visit.
(Note: On March 18, 1911 in Summum,
Illinois Lester Alvin Burnett was born. "Smiley" Burnette is best remembered
as Gene Autry's movie sidekick, "Frog MILLHOUSE" for his special comic
croaking sound, and as the train engineer on TV's "Petticoat Junction"
series.
However, his first love was his family, followed closely by music. By the
age of nine, he could play 10 instruments and by the age of 22, he had
mastered about 50. He especially enjoyed writing and singing country western
songs and was featured singing in the movies and stage acts throughout
his career. His comedy/music live theater performance tours were very popular
family entertainment, often adding shows to the schedule to accommodate
all those wanting tickets. He had several successful solo records released,
and his favorites were those songs he wrote and recorded for children.
Smiley and Dallas MacDonnell Burnette had four children, all adopted from
Tennessee. In 1942 Smiley was voted one of the top-ten money making stars
in the “Motion Picture Herald Fame Poll”. He remained number three
for many years thereafter. He appeared in 179 Westerns. Later he
became a producer. February 16, 1967, Smiley passed away. He
had never smoked, drank or gambled and was happily married to Dallas for
over 30 years. Dallas Burnette, a newspaper women before the marriage,
passed away on February 19,1976.
May
22, 1986, Smiley Burnette was posthumously honored with the placing of
his star on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. In attendance were
Western Stars including Gene Autry, Pat Buttram, Jock Mahoney, and Iron
Eyes Cody. Gene Autry was instrumental in having this great honor bestowed
upon Smiley and Smiley's family. The love and friendship between Smiley
and Gene Autry began in December 1933, and continued well beyond Smiley's
passing. Smiley Burnette had never been west of the Illinois borders
until he and Gene Autry came out to California as young men. He wrote his
first hit song on that trip to Hollywood.)
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