“KING OF THE COWBOYS”
∗ Born January 6, 1880, in Mix Run, Pennsylvania
∗ Won national riding and roping contests at Prescott’s Frontier Days in 1909
∗ Starred in, wrote and/or directed more than 300 movies, mostly silent Westerns, between 1909 and 1935 including several filmed in the Prescott area (most notably The Texan and Romance Land)
∗ Known as “King of the Cowboys,” served as the template for Hollywood’s version of a Western hero
∗ Helped pioneer “action” movies, performing his own stunts (and was frequently injured)
∗ Performed in Wild West shows and circuses before and after his movie heyday; owned the Tom Mix Circus (1935-1938)
∗ Served as a pallbearer at Wyatt Earp’s funeral in 1929; Earp was a technical consultant on several Hollywood Westerns
∗ Inspired the creation of the Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters radio series (1933-1950) but never appeared on the broadcasts; the series spawned a breakfast cereal, comic books and a wide array of merchandise – including badges, rings, watches, hats, knives, belts, bandannas – that are collectibles today
∗ Married his fifth wife, aerial performer Mabel Ward, in Yuma in 1932
∗ Died October 12, 1940, when he lost control of his convertible 18 miles south of Florence while driving from Tucson to Phoenix; he was traveling about 80 mph and possibly was intoxicated
∗ Memorialized with a stone marker on the spot he died, along State Route 79 near what is now named Tom Mix Wash
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