Smiley Burnette (born Lester Alvin Burnett; March 18, 1911 – February 16, 1967) was one of the most beloved and prolific comedic sidekicks of the B-Western era, best known for his long and successful partnership with the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.
With his trademark floppy hat, frog-like voice, and incredible musical talent, Burnette created the classic comic sidekick persona, Frog Millhouse, appearing alongside Autry in over 80 films. He was a musical prodigy, a virtual one-man band who could play over 100 instruments and was a prolific songwriter, penning many of the tunes he performed on screen.
After the B-Western era faded, Smiley Burnette found a new generation of fans as a regular on the popular 1960s CBS sitcom, Petticoat Junction. He played the lovable train engineer Charley Pratt, a role he continued until his death in 1967, cementing his legacy as a true icon of both classic Westerns and classic television.
