Gail Davis (born Betty Jeanne Grayson; October 5, 1925 – March 15, 1997) was an American actress and singer who became a beloved television icon and a role model for a generation of children with her starring role in the classic 1950s Western series, Annie Oakley. Her career was launched and championed by the legendary “Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry, who discovered her and featured her in many of his own Western films during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Recognizing her wholesome charm and genuine marksmanship skills, Autry’s production company developed the television series Annie Oakley (1954-1957) specifically as a starring vehicle for her.
As the fictionalized sharpshooter, Gail Davis became one of television’s most famous and popular female heroes. After the series concluded, she continued to personify the character for years in traveling shows, at rodeos, and in parades. For her enduring contribution to the Western genre, she was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
