Ranch hand Tom Mix became an early star in silent movies

Tom Mix, who was born and raised in a prosperous family in Pennsylvania, fought in the Spanish-American War before deserting after getting married. He was never detained or put on trial for his offense. He later held jobs in Oklahoma as a town marshal, a bartender, and ultimately a ranch worker. His company, The Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, was one of the biggest in the country and produced its own Wild West Show to compete with Buffalo Bill's (and others).

Mix discovered that he enjoyed performing more than labor-intensive ranching. He made his film debut in 1909, the first of nearly 300 that he would eventually feature in. Only nine of his performances were in "talkies," as they were then called, the majority of which were silent movies. Tom Mix had gained notoriety by 1920 and was well-known for pulling off his own feats while roping, shooting, and riding a horse.

Wyatt Earp's close pal Mix gained a reputation for being a lady's man and a tough negotiator. He was the first western hero on film and one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the budding film business, showcasing the abilities he learned on an Oklahoma ranch.

Born: Thomas Hezikiah Mix, January 6, 1880Mix Run, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: October 12, 1940 (aged 60)Florence, Arizona, United States