Evelyn Finley

AKA:
0.0816

1916-03-11

Douglas, Arizona, USA

Biography

Evelyn Ruth Finley was known as the most accomplished stunt rider in the western genre. Famous director William A. Wellman was one of many who regarded her as the best in the business. She worked with horses from early childhood and grew up a tomboy on her father's ranch. Her dad had promised 'to put her into pictures', but how she eventually arrived in Hollywood is unclear. Winning a beauty contest as 'Miss Albuquerque' might have helped. The year was 1936 and her first picture was as stunt double to Jean Parker. By 1940, Evelyn was under contract at Monogram where her skills in the saddle quickly promoted her to leading lady opposite the likes of Tex Ritter, Tom Keene, Johnny Mack Brown and Buster Crabbe. As blonde Eve Anderson, she got to star in one of the last serials made at Columbia, Perils of the Wilderness (1956). However, Evelyn preferred the stunt work to acting, often doubling on horseback for glamorous stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Loretta Young. She remained involved in her area of expertise, either actively or as technical adviser, well into the 1980's. When not working in the film industry, she toured as an equestrian performer at different circuses. Evelyn was inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame.

Crew Roles

Ambush at Tomahawk Gap
Stunt Double
Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte
Stunts
Cowboy Serenade
Stunt Double
Blood Alley
Stunts
Swiss Family Robinson
Stunts
Woman of the North Country
Stunts
Westward the Women
Stunts
The Adventures of Hajji Baba
Stunts
One Girl's Confession
Stunts
Home in Wyomin'
Stunt Double
Man from Cheyenne
Stunt Double
Across the Wide Missouri
Stunt Double
Valley Of Vengeance
Stunts
The Sheriff of Medicine Bow
Stunts
Take It Big
Stunt Double
Jack London
Stunts
The Man from the Alamo
Stunt Double
Sundown Riders
Stunts
Mule Train
Stunt Double
Cowboy Commandos
Stunts
Jesse James at Bay
Stunt Double
Elephant Walk
Stunts
Scaramouche
Stunts
Ghost Guns
Stunts
The Texas Rangers
Stunt Double
The Cowboy and the Indians
Stunt Double
Red River Valley
Stunt Double
Along Came Jones
Stunt Double
The Light That Failed
Stunts
Silverado
Stunts
Cast RolesCast Roles Played = {17}