Montie Montana (born Owen Harlen Mickel; June 21, 1910 – May 20, 1998) was a rodeo trick rider and trick roper, actor, stuntman and cowboy inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1994.[1]
Montana was born in Wolf Point, Montana, in 1910. He was a perennial participant in the Tournament of Roses Parade until his death in Los Angeles, California, in 1998.[2] Television viewers know him from more than 60 appearances, waving to the crowd from his silver saddle. He can be seen as a contestant on the May 7, 1959 television broadcast of You Bet Your Life, along with his horse Rex.[3]
Montana would go to elementary schools and perform with Rex. He was at Camellia Avenue Elementary School in North Hollywood, California, in 1959, and he would talk about the rubber horseshoes Rex would be fitted with so Rex would not slip on the asphalt playground while Montie was riding Rex. He performed rope tricks on and off of Rex, and would pass out photos of him and Rex to the students at the end of his show.
In 1996, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.[4] He was buried at the Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California.[5]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | The Saddle Buster | Rodeo Performer | Uncredited | |
| 1934 | Stand Up and Cheer! | Rope Spinner | Uncredited | |
| 1935 | The Circle of Death | Little Buffalo, alias Jim Little | ||
| 1935 | Border Vengeance | Montie Montana, Trick Rider | Uncredited | |
| 1935 | Melody Trail | Rodeo Rider | Uncredited | |
| 1936 | Comin' Round the Mountain | Roper | Uncredited | |
| 1936 | Gun Smoke | |||
| 1939 | The Kid from Texas | Trick Rider | Uncredited | |
| 1943 | Riders of the Deadline | Ranger Kelton | ||
| 1944 | Take It Big | Show Performer | Uncredited | |
| 1944 | Man from Frisco | Montana | Uncredited | |
| 1949 | Down Dakota Way | Sheriff Holbrook | ||
| 1952 | The Story of Will Rogers | Trick Roping Double for Will Rogers Jr. | Uncredited | |
| 1954 | The Boy from Oklahoma | Roper | Uncredited | |
| 1960 | The Rifleman | Stage Driver | ||
| 1962 | The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance | Cowboy on Pinto Pony | Uncredited | |
| 1963 | Hud | Cowboy | Uncredited | |
| 1964 | Cheyenne Autumn | Trooper | Uncredited | |
| 1968 | Arizona Bushwhackers | Stage Driver | ||
| 1972 | The Young Rounders | (final film role) |