Musician, Actor. Born Lester Alvin Burnett, in Summum, Illinois, he began his career at a local radio station and in Vaudeville Theatre. A talented musician, he played 100 instruments proficiently and worked with singer Gene Autry on the radio show "The National Barn Dance". In 1934, with Gene Autry, he made his debut in the motion picture "In Old Santa Fe" as the sidekick 'Frog Milhouse'. He and Autry would go on to work together in over 80 Western films. He also wrote and recorded over 300 western songs, singing many of them in the films. For television, he was a regular on the music show "Ozark Jubilee" and appeared as railroad engineer 'Charlie Pratt' on the situation comedy "Petticoat Junction" from 1963 until his death in Encino, California in 1967.
Musician, Actor. Born Lester Alvin Burnett, in Summum, Illinois, he began his career at a local radio station and in Vaudeville Theatre. A talented musician, he played 100 instruments proficiently and worked with singer Gene Autry on the radio show "The National Barn Dance". In 1934, with Gene Autry, he made his debut in the motion picture "In Old Santa Fe" as the sidekick 'Frog Milhouse'. He and Autry would go on to work together in over 80 Western films. He also wrote and recorded over 300 western songs, singing many of them in the films. For television, he was a regular on the music show "Ozark Jubilee" and appeared as railroad engineer 'Charlie Pratt' on the situation comedy "Petticoat Junction" from 1963 until his death in Encino, California in 1967.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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Smiley Burnette
Loving Husband And Father
Beloved Entertainer
Who Brought Joy To Others
Family Members
Children
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