Bud Osborne

(From Old Corral collection)

(Courtesy of Jack Tillmany)

There's a double dose of confusion with prolific heavy and stage driver Bud Osborne. Some biographies have his birth location as Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) while Hollywood trade publications generally have him born in Knox County, Texas. Bud doesn't help resolve that question - on his World War II draft registration, he lists Montague County, Texas (which is about 150 miles from Knox County, Texas). However, his birth state is Oklahoma on a 1946 marriage license. Issue number two are all the variations in his last name. In the census, draft, and marriage info further down this webpage, you'll find Osbourn, Osbourne, Osburn, Osborn, and Osborne.

Several family trees on Ancestry.com have info on our guy. His father is identified as Beverly Fleming Osborne (or Osbourn, or Osburn, or Osborn) and he was born in Virginia and passed away in 1890. Bud's mother was Sarah Elizabeth 'Betty' Lowe and she hailed from Missouri.

Bud was born July 20, 1884. The 1890 census is unavailable, so the earliest paper trail on him is the 1900 census. He's about 16 years old, born in Texas, and living with his widowed mother Sarah, two brothers and a sister in Duncan town, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). In 1904, 21 year old Bud is still in Oklahoma and he tied the knot with 18 year old Ruby Copenhaver, the first of his several wives. Still in Oklahoma for the 1910 census, he and Ruby have two daughters and Bud is a livery stable laborer.

Circa 1910, Bud worked on the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Show and the Buffalo Bill Wild West show. Tradezines and newspapers also indicate that he was a rodeo performer.

In a 1948 interview, Bud said that his entry to Hollywood and movies was delivering some horses and cattle to Thomas H. Ince's California movie studio circa 1912. (There's a link further down this webpage with the complete 1948 interview.) He decided to stay in Hollywood and began doing bit and supporting roles. In silents, he appeared in serials with Ruth Roland and Allene Ray and lots of westerns with Leo Maloney, Neal Hart, Harry Carey, Hoot Gibson, Jack Perrin, Bob Custer, Buffalo Bill Jr. and many others. He free lanced everywhere, working for silent companies F. B. O., Pathe, Bison, more. And when he registered for the World War I draft in 1918, Bud was employed by Universal.

In the early 1920s, he tried (unsuccessfully) to become a leading man. He formed his own Bud Osborne Production company, and starred in THE PRAIRIE MYSTERY (Truart, 1923).

Bud easily made the transition to talkies. With his rough / tough looking appearance and unique voice, Osborne was most often cast as a gang member or second-in-command to the brains heavy. And he did so in hundreds of films through the 1950s at Universal, Columbia, Republic, Monogram, PRC, and most of the Poverty Row independent production outfits.

One of his greatest skills was the ability to drive a stagecoach, and you'll often see him handling the reins of a four or six-horse team.

In early television, he can be spotted in episodes of ANNIE OAKLEY, WILD BILL HICKOK, RIN TIN TIN and other shows. In the 1950s, he worked in three films and a TV pilot for Ed Wood, Jr. (who brought us PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and other "classics").

When Bud was credited in a film, his last name was often misspelled - Bud Osborne vs. Bud Osbourne. (There were many others who had the same problem including George Chesebro, Cheseboro, etc.; Chief Thunder Cloud, Thunder-Cloud, Thundercloud; and Edmond vs. Edmund vs. Edwin Cobb.)

Les Adams has him identified in at least 475 sound era films, and that includes 407 westerns and 38 chapterplays. Included are about 65 appearances in Republic oaters and serials during the period 1936 - 1952. Add in a hundred or more silent films and Bud is in competition with Tom London for the crown of "person with the most movie appearances in Hollywood history".

He passed away from heart/coronary problems on February 2, 1964 at the Motion Picture Hospital, Woodland Hills, California. Newspaper obituaries mentioned his wife Elderine, son Brad and daughter Lillian.

Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Bud Osborne: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0651627/

Daniel Neyer's "The Files of Jerry Blake" serial website has a webpage on Bud Osborne doing serials: https://filesofjerryblake.com/serial-henchmen/bud-osborne/

1948 interview with Bud Osborne from the June 10, 1948 Los Angeles Evening Citizen News: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84255149/los-angeles-evening-citizen-news/

The Circus Historical Society website has a lengthy writeup on the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Show in a 1969 article in their Bandwagon magazine. Bud Osborne (as well as Bill Pickett) is one of the "cowboys" working for the 101 in 1911: http://www.classic.circushistory.org/Bandwagon/bw-1969Jan.htm

YouTube has various clips from the Ed Wood production NIGHT OF THE GHOULS (1959). This link will take you to B-western baddie Kenne Duncan doing a seance ... and pay attention as a very old and grey Bud Osborne is sitting at the table: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAQjps8u0ak

On the trail of Bud Osborne:

The FamilySearch website (free), Ancestry.com (subscription), death certificate, California Death Index, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), newspapers and trade publications provide more on Bud and family.

He was married at least four times - in the information below, you'll find wives Ruby Copenhaver, Hazel Inez Evans, June ???, and Elderine Carolina Meeks.

There also is much confusion with the spelling of his last name. In the below info, you'll find Osbourn, Osbourne, Osborn, Osburn, and Osborne.

1870 and 1880 census with his parents and siblings (prior to Bud's birth):

1870 census summary and census takers worksheet - 35 year old Beverly Osbourn (born Virginia; occupation "Farmer"), his 21 year old wife Elizabeth (born Missouri) and several children are living in Prairie Township, Randolph County, Missouri: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M462-CDY
1880 census summary and census takers worksheet - 45 year old B. F. Osburn (born Virginia; occupation "Farmer"), his 33 year old wife S. E. (born Missouri), many children and his mother are living in Cairo, Randolph County, Missouri: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6F4-XS2

Bud was born in 1884:

1890 census is unavailable - it was lost in a 1921 fire (and water damage) at the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C.
1900 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Duncan town, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) are 53 year old Sarah Osbourn (born Missouri; widowed; occupation "Farmer"), 21 year old son Richard (born Missouri), 17 year old daughter Pearl (born Missouri), 16 year old son Leonard (born Texas), 12 year old son Charles (born Texas), and 10 year old daughter Caroline (born Indian Territory): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSRY-8HH
December 18, 1904 marriage license of 21 year old Bud Osbourne and 18 year old Ruby Copenhaver in Carter, Oklahoma. Both are residents of Marlow, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXLR-8JP
1910 census summary and census takers worksheet - 26 year old Lenord [sic] B. Osborn (born Texas; occupation "Laborer - Livery Stable"), his 20 year old wife Ruby C. (born Missouri), 3 year old daughter Edna P. (born Oklahoma) and newborn daughter Lillian O. (born Oklahoma) are renting in South Cement Township, Caddo County, Oklahoma: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLQW-5RK
World War I draft registration dated September 12, 1918 - 34 year old Budd Leonord Osborne (name at top of registration card) was born July 20, 1884. He and wife Ruby Copenhaver Osborne live at 1618 Hudson Avenue, Los Angeles. His occupation is "Movie Pict. Actor studio" working at Universal City, California. Looks like he signed the registration as Budd Leonard Osborne: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZVN-V7K
1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - 35 year old Bud Osborne (born Texas) and his 32 year old wife Inez (born Texas) are in Los Angeles. His occupation is "Actor - Motion Pictures", and her occupation is "Saleslady - Lady's Furnishings": https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQF-X2M
August 25, 1922 marriage license of 36 year old Miles Leonard Osborne (born Texas) to 27 year old Hazel Inez Evans Norton (born Iowa) in Los Angeles. Their occupations are Actor and Actress - Motion Pictures. First marriage for him and second for her and her maiden name was Hazel Inez Evans. His parents were John Calvin Osborne (born Missouri) and Betty May Lowe (born Illinois). Silent cowboy movie hero Leo D. Maloney was a witness: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8NM-TLF
1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - living at the Paramount Hotel, Los Angeles is 39 year old Bud Osborne (born Texas). He is single; a World War I veteran; and occupation is "Actor - Motion Pictures": https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCV3-WD4
1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - 55 year old Lennie Osborne (born Texas) and 33 year old wife June (born Georgia) own their home at 726 North Mariposa, Los Angeles. His occupation is "Actor - Mot Pic", and in 1939, he worked 35 weeks and earned $1750.00: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K9HW-RK9
1942 World War II draft registration - 57 year old Lennie (Bud) Osborne reports his birth date and location as July 20, 1884 and Montague County, Texas. He is living at 726 North Mariposa, Los Angeles and his occupation / employment is "Free lance Actor": https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16365-27549-28?cc=1861144&wc=MMRW-151:1751861000
November 23, 1946 Los Angeles, California marriage license - 42 year old Lennie B. Osborne, born Oklahoma, occupation "Actor M. P.", Mother's maiden name was Lowe, and this was his second marriage. Bride was 29 year old Elderine Carolina Meeks and this was her second marriage:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-29948-61726-75?cc=1804002&wc=M9MJ-7Z1:2101919872
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-29948-54709-54?cc=1804002&wc=M9MJ-7Z1:2101919872
California Birth Index for Bradley Keith Osborne, born October 20, 1950 in the Los Angeles area and mother's maiden name was Meeks: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGHB-KCG
Ancestry had several voter registrations:
1942: Lennie Bud Osborne (occupation actor) and Mrs. June Osborne reside at 726 North Mariposa Avenue, Los Angeles.
1944 and 1946: Lennie B. Osborne (occupation actor) is living at 5125 or 3125 Ben Avenue, Los Angeles. No wife is mentioned.
1950: Lennie B. Osborne and Mrs. Elderine C. Osborne are living at 5019 Greenbush Avenue, Los Angeles.
1954: Lennie B. Osborne and Mrs. Elderine C. Osborne are living at 17974 Rosita Street, Los Angeles.
Death certificate: 79 year old Lennie B. Osborne, AKA Bud Osborne, was born July 20, 1884 in Oklahoma. He passed away from heart/coronary problems on February 2, 1964 at the Motion Picture Hospital, Woodland Hills, California. Occupation was "Character Actor - Free Lance - T.V. & Motion Pictures". Death certificate informant was wife Elderine C. Osborne, and they lived at 18646 Malden Drive, Los Angeles. He was cremated at Chapel of the Pines and funeral director was Pierce Bros. Hollywood.
California Death Index mirrors the death certificate - Lennie B. Osborne was born July 20, 1884 in Oklahoma and he passed away on February 2, 1964: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGRK-9YS
Social Security Death Index for Lennie Osborne, born July 20, 1884, and he passed away in February, 1964: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JB7B-2X7
February 5, 1964 Los Angeles (California) Times newspaper had a funeral notice for Bud Osborne, and survivors included wife Elderine, son Brad, and daughter Lillian. Services at Pierce Brothers Hollywood.

Find A Grave website has info - Bud Osborne is interred at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10024225/bud-osborne

The Library of Congress, Chronicling America website has early newspapers. Here's links to several articles on Bud Osborne:

January 12, 1913 Bisbee (Arizona) Herald and the article heading reads: "RODEO WILL BRING ROUGH RIDERS ..." and the article is about the February 9-16, 1913 rodeo in Los Angeles. Contestants included "Bud Osborne, Chickothe, Okla.": http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024827/1913-01-12/ed-1/seq-6/
February 21, 1913 Coconino (Flagstaff, Arizona) Sun has an article on a recent rodeo and mentions that "Bud Osborne did some great riding ...": http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062055/1913-02-21/ed-1/seq-1/
April 19, 1922 Bemidji (Minnesota) Daily Pioneer has an article on Bud Osborne in the Ruth Roland HANDS UP serial; he was with the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch show; and was a contestant at the Wichita Rodeo: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86063381/1922-04-19/ed-1/seq-2/

(Courtesy of Ed Phillips)
		In the center of the above cast and crew still are Harry Carey and Olive Golden, who would become Mrs. Carey around 1920. The looped rope around the group confirms this as LOVE'S LARIAT (Bluebird/Universal, 1916) which was produced by Carey and directed by George Marshall. The back side of the photo identifies the picture as Harry Carey and his western company. Crop/blowup on the left of a youngish Bud Osborne who would have been about 30 years old when this movie was made. On Horseback from L-to-R are: 1 - William 'Bill' Gillis, 2 - Pedro Leon (Leone?), 3 - unknown, 4 - Tom Grimes, 5 - unknown, 6 - unknown, 7 - unknown, 8 - unknown, 9 - Pedro Clemento (Mexican rodeo star) Standing from L-to-R are: 1 - Al Christie, 2 - unknown, 3 - Lynn Reynolds, 4 - Harry Carey, 5 - Olive Fuller Golden (Carey), 6 - George Marshall, 7 - unknown, 8 - Neal Hart, 9 - Joe Rickson Seated/kneeling in front row from L-to-R are: 1 - Bud Osborne (with rope), 2 - unknown Al Christie and Lynn Reynolds were Universal production folks. George Marshall spent about 60 years in Hollywood, and one of his A grade westerns was the Jimmy Stewart version of DESTRY RIDES AGAIN (Universal, 1939).