Kermit_Maynard

Kermit Maynard

Kermit Maynard

American actor and stuntman (1897–1971)


Kermit Maynard (September 20, 1897 – January 16, 1971) was an American actor and stuntman. He appeared in 280 films between 1927 and 1962.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Early years

Born in Vevay, Indiana, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Maynard[1] and a lookalike younger brother of actor Ken Maynard; they were frequently assumed to be identical twins.[citation needed]

Maynard was a 1916 graduate of Columbus High School in Columbus, Indiana.[2] He graduated with a degree in engineering from Indiana University[3] and played college football as a lineman for the Indiana Hoosiers in the early 1920s. While at the university, he lettered in three sports in one year.[4]

After he finished college, Maynard worked as a claims agent for the George H. Hormel Meat Packing Company.[5] Maynard also competed as a rider in rodeo competition. In 1933, he won a Pacific Coast trick-riding championship in the Pendleton Round-Up.[6] Early in his career, promoters disdained Maynard's given name of Kermit and marketed him as "Tex Maynard."[3]

Career

From 1935 to 1937 Kermit Maynard starred in films produced by Ambassador Pictures, which producer Maurice Conn established in 1934. He starred in 18 Ambassador films, the last one being Roaring Six Guns.

Unlike his more famous brother Ken Maynard, who was often argumentative and difficult to work with, the mild-mannered and more agreeable Kermit Maynard continued to work steadily in pictures,[5] appearing in the supporting casts of dozens of westerns, serials, Hollywood features, and TV episodes through 1962. When producers would cast multiple cowboy stars in a single feature, Kermit Maynard joined the posse in Trail of Robin Hood and Once Upon a Horse.

Death

On January 16, 1971, Maynard died at his home in North Hollywood, California, from a heart attack. He was 72 years old.[7] Survivors included his wife and a son.[8]

Filmography

More information Film, Year ...

References

  1. "Visit Sons in Movie Studios at Hollywood". The Republic. Indiana, Columbus. April 7, 1927. p. 15. Retrieved December 30, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. "Graduates Are Ready To Quit". The Republic. Indiana, Columbus. May 24, 1919. p. 1. Retrieved December 30, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. Katchmer, George A. (2009). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 240. ISBN 9781476609058. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  4. "Kermit Maynard in Movies at Hollywood". The Republic. Indiana, Columbus. June 22, 1926. p. 6. Retrieved December 30, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. "Riding Crown of Kermit Maynard to Go Undefended". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. August 27, 1934. p. 5. Retrieved December 30, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. "Film Actor Kermit Maynard, 72, Dies". The Republic. Indiana, Columbus. January 20, 1971. p. 1. Retrieved December 30, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. "Maynard". The Republic. Indiana, Columbus. January 20, 1971. p. 2. Retrieved December 30, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon

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