Posted on 06/29/2026 1:13:35 PM PDT by Leaning Right
Today we remember Slim Pickens (born Louis Burton Lindley Jr.), born June 29, 1919. Best known for his memorable performances in Dr. Strangelove, Blazing Saddles, 1941, and One-Eyed Jacks, Pickens became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable Western actors and rodeo performers.
Before entertaining audiences around the world, Pickens answered the call to serve during World War II, enlisting in the United States Army Air Forces.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.veteranownedbusiness.com ...
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The excerpt, continued:
Before entertaining audiences around the world, Pickens answered the call to serve during World War II, enlisting in the United States Army Air Forces. According to a well-known story, when a recruiter asked his occupation, he replied “rodeo.” It was reportedly misread as “radio,” resulting in him spending much of his military service assigned to a radio station in the Midwest.
Watched Blazing Saddles last night!..............
Then Young Frankenstein!
Yesterday was Mel Brooks 100th Birthday!........
He was one of the irreplaceable people in show business. No one like him.
RIP
He was a real cowboy!...............
LOL! Same here!
One of the truly great character actors of all time.
Any of the roles he played, I can’t imagine anyone else could have played.
Todd Spence@Todd_Spence
Mel Brooks always said he and the cast of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN had such a good time making the film, they could barely get through any of the takes 😂 I could watch this all day
https://x.com/Todd_Spence/status/2071346479181238372
Slim Pickens passed away in 1983. Just imagine if, before he passed away, someone had told him that those B-52s would still be flying/operational in 2026. He might have lived another year, laughing all the way.
The last role I can remember Slim in was as the sheriff who was one of the werewolves in The Howling.
I was just watching Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and his death scene is so good. It’s the scene Bob Dylan wrote Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door for.
I did post a photo. Chinese hackers must have deleted it. 😀
I’ll try again.
Peter Sellers was supposed to have played Major Kong in addition to his other roles in Doctor Strangelove, but he hurt his ankle climbing in and out of the airplane mockup, so they cast Slim Pickens instead. I can’t really picture anyone else in that role.
IMO one of the greatest scenes in the history of cinema.
“hurt his ankle climbing in and out of the airplane mockup”
Sellers was a real manly man wasn’t he.....SMH
I can’t see Sellers riding that bomb.
It just doesn’t work.
Slim, reading the survival kit check list in “Dr Strangelove”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5qqfsQGYus
Someone go back and get some dimes!
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