Hoot Gibson

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

224

Gender

Male

Birthday

1892-08-05

Day of death

1962-08-23 (70 years old)

Place of Birth

Tekamah, Nebraska, USA

Hoot Gibson

Biography

Hoot Gibson was a colorful figure, a light-hearted, fun-loving personality on screen and off. Hoot’s cheerful westerns included a significant amount of comedy. His mild, peaceful character rarely carried a gun. As an expert horseman, Hoot was always impressive on a galloping horse. Gibson’s film career began in 1910 with a few films for the Biograph Company interspersed among rodeo competitions. In 1914 he was a stuntman for the serial The Hazards of Helen, doubling the serial’s star Helen Holmes. His stunts included fights on trains and transfers from a train to a horse. He had supporting roles in numerous Western short films, including playing the villain in A Knight of the Range (1916) opposite popular western star Harry Carey. He appeared in three of the Westerns made by Carey and director John Ford in 1917: Straight Shooting, The Secret Man, and A Marked Man. Hoot’s starring career at Universal Studios was launched in two films directed by Ford, Action (1921) and Sure Fire (1921). In these films, Hoot plays a wandering cowboy who rescues the pretty young co-star from outlaws. Hoot became a popular western star for Universal. Film titles such as Ridin’ Wild (1922), Thrill Chaser (1923), Hit and Run (1924), Hurricane Kid (1925), and Galloping Fury (1927) guaranteed Hoot’s fans five reels of action and fun. Hoot’s easygoing approach gave his films a lighthearted tone. A deft comedian, he featured as much comedy as drama. As talkies arrived, Hoot continued as a Western star, but with lower budget producers such as M.H. Hoffman Inc. (distributed on a state rights basis by Allied Pictures Corporation) and Walker Futter Productions (Diversion Pictures). In 1935, Hoot co-starred with Harry Carey in Powdersmoke Range, advertised by RKO as the "Barnum and Bailey of Westerns" (whatever that means). The cast list of this "all star" (B western stars) film included Bob Steele, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, Tom Tyler, William Farnum, and other Westerners from the silent era. In 1937 at Republic, he made a serial, The Painted Stallion, in support of new cowboy star Ray Corrigan. An aging Hoot retained his fine horsemanship and comic flair, but fan interest had moved to the new singing cowboys, especially Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Hoot’s Westerns had lost their appeal. In the late thirties, out of movies, Hoot toured with circuses and appeared at rodeos and fairs. In 1943, after seven years off the screen, Hoot returned in the Trail Blazer series at Monogram Studios. In these Westerns, Marshall Hoot Gibson, initially co-starred with Ken Maynard and later with Bob Steele and Chief Thundercloud, upholds the law and captures outlaws and crooked businessmen threatening the lives and property of innocent citizens. Hoot made eleven Trail Blazer films; the last was Trigger Law (1944). John Ford brought Hoot back for a cameo role in The Horse Soldiers (1959). His last screen appearance was as a sheriff’s deputy in Ocean’s Eleven (1960), another cameo.

Known For

  • The Tell-Tale Wire

    The Tell-Tale Wire

  • Wild Horse Stampede

    Wild Horse Stampede

  • The Utah Kid

    The Utah Kid

  • Gun Law

    Gun Law

  • In the Secret Service

    In the Secret Service

  • The Horse Soldiers

    The Horse Soldiers

  • The Lariat Kid

    The Lariat Kid

  • Clearing the Trail

    Clearing the Trail

  • Death Valley Rangers

    Death Valley Rangers

  • 40-Horse Hawkins

    40-Horse Hawkins

  • Ocean's Eleven

    Ocean's Eleven

  • The Saddle Hawk

    The Saddle Hawk

  • The Boiling Point

    The Boiling Point

  • The Gun Packer

    The Gun Packer

  • The Rattler's Hiss

    The Rattler's Hiss

  • The Stranger

    The Stranger

  • Held Up for the Makin's

    Held Up for the Makin's

  • The Thrill Chaser

    The Thrill Chaser

  • Judge Not; or The Woman of Mona Diggings

    Judge Not; or The Woman of Mona Diggings

  • Clearing the Range

    Clearing the Range

  • Cavalcade of the West

    Cavalcade of the West

  • Fight It Out

    Fight It Out

  • The Soul Herder

    The Soul Herder

  • The Gentleman from America

    The Gentleman from America

  • The Denver Dude

    The Denver Dude

  • The Golden Bullet

    The Golden Bullet

  • The Grinning Granger

    The Grinning Granger

  • We're switching to Hollywood

    We're switching to Hollywood

  • Roaring Ranch

    Roaring Ranch

  • The Wrong Man

    The Wrong Man

  • I Married Joan

    I Married Joan

  • Cinders

    Cinders

  • Sure Fire

    Sure Fire

  • West Is Best

    West Is Best

  • Arizona Whirlwind

    Arizona Whirlwind

  • Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

    Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

  • Hey! Hey! Cowboy

    Hey! Hey! Cowboy

  • Trailing Trouble

    Trailing Trouble

  • His Buddy

    His Buddy

  • Straight Shooting

    Straight Shooting

  • The Flaming Frontier

    The Flaming Frontier

  • Shootin' for Love

    Shootin' for Love

  • Frontier Justice

    Frontier Justice

  • The Voice on the Wire

    The Voice on the Wire

  • The Fightin' Terror

    The Fightin' Terror

  • Powdersmoke Range

    Powdersmoke Range

  • Kingdom Come

    Kingdom Come

  • Hello, 'Frisco

    Hello, 'Frisco

  • The Rawhide Kid

    The Rawhide Kid

  • The Black Horse Bandit

    The Black Horse Bandit

  • The Mounted Stranger

    The Mounted Stranger

  • Feud of the West

    Feud of the West

  • The Ridin' Kid from Powder River

    The Ridin' Kid from Powder River

  • The Fire Eater

    The Fire Eater

  • The Crow

    The Crow

  • The Dude Bandit

    The Dude Bandit

  • The Man With The Punch

    The Man With The Punch

  • The Spirit of the West

    The Spirit of the West

  • Masked

    Masked

  • The Last Outlaw

    The Last Outlaw

  • A Marked Man

    A Marked Man

  • The Fighting Brothers

    The Fighting Brothers

  • Marked Trails

    Marked Trails

  • Wild Horse

    Wild Horse

  • A Knight of the Range

    A Knight of the Range

  • The Man from Texas

    The Man from Texas

  • The Man Who Woke Up

    The Man Who Woke Up

  • Ace High

    Ace High

  • The Calgary Stampede

    The Calgary Stampede

  • Out of Luck

    Out of Luck

  • Red Courage

    Red Courage

  • Trigger Tricks

    Trigger Tricks

  • Hair Trigger Stuff

    Hair Trigger Stuff

  • Swifty

    Swifty

  • The Passing of Hell's Crown

    The Passing of Hell's Crown

  • The Rustlers

    The Rustlers

  • Blazing Guns

    Blazing Guns

  • Westward Bound

    Westward Bound

  • Dead Game

    Dead Game

  • The Buckaroo Kid

    The Buckaroo Kid

  • Trigger Law

    Trigger Law

  • The Marshal's Daughter

    The Marshal's Daughter

  • The Texas Kid

    The Texas Kid

  • The Ramblin' Kid

    The Ramblin' Kid

  • Runnin' Straight

    Runnin' Straight

  • Courtin' Wildcats

    Courtin' Wildcats

  • The Wedding Guest

    The Wedding Guest

  • The Bear Cat

    The Bear Cat

  • The Hard Hombre

    The Hard Hombre

  • The Face in the Watch

    The Face in the Watch

  • Smilin' Guns

    Smilin' Guns

  • By Indian Post

    By Indian Post

  • Sonora Stagecoach

    Sonora Stagecoach

  • The Fighting Parson

    The Fighting Parson

  • Action

    Action

  • The Sawdust Trail

    The Sawdust Trail

  • Ride for Your Life

    Ride for Your Life

  • The Law Rides Again

    The Law Rides Again

  • Life in Hollywood No. 3

    Life in Hollywood No. 3

  • Galloping Fury

    Galloping Fury

  • Flight to Nowhere

    Flight to Nowhere

  • Headin' West

    Headin' West

  • Wolf Tracks

    Wolf Tracks

  • Spurs

    Spurs

  • The Secret Man

    The Secret Man

  • The Lone Hand

    The Lone Hand

  • The Shootin' Fool

    The Shootin' Fool

  • The Hazards of Helen

    The Hazards of Helen

  • The Double Hold-Up

    The Double Hold-Up

  • 'in Wrong' Wright

    'in Wrong' Wright

  • Rainbow's End

    Rainbow's End

  • The Hazards of Helen Ep26: The Wild Engine

    The Hazards of Helen Ep26: The Wild Engine

  • The Hurricane Kid

    The Hurricane Kid

  • Trimmed

    Trimmed

  • The Lone Hand

    The Lone Hand

  • The Jay Bird

    The Jay Bird

  • Cheyenne's Pal

    Cheyenne's Pal

  • A Trick of Hearts

    A Trick of Hearts

  • The Driftin' Kid

    The Driftin' Kid

  • Arizona Sweepstakes

    Arizona Sweepstakes

  • Thieves' Clothes

    Thieves' Clothes

  • Hook and Ladder

    Hook and Ladder

  • The Broncho Kid

    The Broncho Kid

  • Stampede in the Night

    Stampede in the Night

  • Ridin' Wild

    Ridin' Wild

  • Kindled Courage

    Kindled Courage

  • The Night Riders

    The Night Riders

  • The New Superintendent

    The New Superintendent

  • The Cactus Kid

    The Cactus Kid

  • The Local Bad Man

    The Local Bad Man

  • Beating the Game

    Beating the Game

  • The Four-Bit Man

    The Four-Bit Man

  • The Movie Trail

    The Movie Trail

  • The Fightin' Fury

    The Fightin' Fury

  • Crossed Clues

    Crossed Clues

  • The Sheriff's Oath

    The Sheriff's Oath

  • The Painted Stallion

    The Painted Stallion

  • Tipped Off

    Tipped Off

  • The Saddle King

    The Saddle King

  • Blinky

    Blinky

  • The Galloping Kid

    The Galloping Kid

  • Outlaw Trail

    Outlaw Trail

  • The Riding Avenger

    The Riding Avenger

  • The Champion Liar

    The Champion Liar

  • Broadway or Bust

    Broadway or Bust

  • Single Handed

    Single Handed

  • The Loaded Door

    The Loaded Door

  • Hollywood or Bust

    Hollywood or Bust

  • Chip of the Flying U

    Chip of the Flying U

  • The Governor's Special

    The Governor's Special

  • Riding for Fame

    Riding for Fame

  • Buckshot John

    Buckshot John

  • Kid Pink and the Maharajah

    Kid Pink and the Maharajah

  • Kickaroo

    Kickaroo

  • Cowboy Sports and Pastimes

    Cowboy Sports and Pastimes

  • One Law for All

    One Law for All

  • Winning a Home

    Winning a Home

  • Pride Of The Range

    Pride Of The Range

  • His Only Son

    His Only Son

  • Step on It!

    Step on It!

  • A Gamblin' Fool

    A Gamblin' Fool

  • The Capture of Red Stanley

    The Capture of Red Stanley

  • The Wild Wild West

    The Wild Wild West

  • Bandits Beware

    Bandits Beware

  • The Man from the East

    The Man from the East

  • Let 'er Buck

    Let 'er Buck

  • The Branded Man

    The Branded Man

  • Double Crossers

    Double Crossers

  • The Pay Train

    The Pay Train

  • Hit and Run

    Hit and Run

  • Play Straight or Fight

    Play Straight or Fight

  • Roarin' Dan

    Roarin' Dan

  • The Shootin' Kid

    The Shootin' Kid

  • Sunset Range

    Sunset Range

  • The Wild West Show

    The Wild West Show

  • The Mysterious Cipher

    The Mysterious Cipher

  • The Death Train

    The Death Train

  • The Ring of Destiny

    The Ring of Destiny

  • Taming the West

    Taming the West

  • The Winged Horseman

    The Winged Horseman

  • Sweet Revenge

    Sweet Revenge

  • The Two-Fisted Lover

    The Two-Fisted Lover

  • The Fighting Heart

    The Fighting Heart

  • A Four-Footed Hero

    A Four-Footed Hero

  • The Winning Track

    The Winning Track

  • A Man's Land

    A Man's Land

  • The Telltale Knife

    The Telltale Knife

  • King of the Rodeo

    King of the Rodeo

  • The Smilin' Kid

    The Smilin' Kid

  • Points West

    Points West

  • The Trail of the Holdup Man

    The Trail of the Holdup Man

  • Shotgun Jones

    Shotgun Jones

  • Out o' Luck

    Out o' Luck

  • Who Was the Man?

    Who Was the Man?

  • The Big Catch

    The Big Catch

  • The Man in the Saddle

    The Man in the Saddle

  • The Gay Buckaroo

    The Gay Buckaroo

  • In Danger's Path

    In Danger's Path

  • A Hero on Horseback

    A Hero on Horseback

  • The Jack of Hearts

    The Jack of Hearts

  • Double Danger

    Double Danger

  • Lucky Terror

    Lucky Terror

  • The Concentratin' Kid

    The Concentratin' Kid

  • Superstition

    Superstition

  • Headin' South

    Headin' South

  • The Midnight Flyer

    The Midnight Flyer

  • The Phantom Bullet

    The Phantom Bullet

  • The Prairie King

    The Prairie King

  • The Cowboy Counsellor

    The Cowboy Counsellor

  • The Danger Rider

    The Danger Rider

  • Burning the Wind

    Burning the Wind

  • The Flyin' Cowboy

    The Flyin' Cowboy

  • Painted Ponies

    Painted Ponies

  • A 44-Calibre Mystery

    A 44-Calibre Mystery

  • The Brand Blotter

    The Brand Blotter

  • The Long, Long Trail

    The Long, Long Trail

  • Danger, Go Slow

    Danger, Go Slow

  • The Two Brothers

    The Two Brothers

  • Spook Ranch

    Spook Ranch

  • The Silent Rider

    The Silent Rider

  • The Woman in the Web

    The Woman in the Web

  • The Trail of the Hound

    The Trail of the Hound

  • The Texas Streak

    The Texas Streak

  • Double Dealing

    Double Dealing