Biography of Tex Ritter

Father of TV's John Ritter (Three's Company), Woodward Maurice "Tex" Ritter was a college-educated Broadway performer long before he rode into the sunset as a singing cowboy of the silver screen. Song of the Gringo in 1936 started a movie career that was to last through nearly 60 horse operas. As one of the first artists to sign with the newly-created Capitol label, in 1942 Ritter recorded enough hits ("There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder," "Deck of Cards," "Boll Weevil") to make him one of the better-selling country singers in the 40s. Nothing before or after matched the theme song of High Noon, starring Gary Cooper. This movie did what all the "B" Westerns couldn't -- it made Ritter a national star. ~ David Vinopal