Shelby F. "Sheb" Wooley (April 10, 1921 – September 16, 2003) was a character actor and singer, best known for his 1958 novelty hit "The Purple People Eater". Also for playing Ben Miller, brother of Frank Miller arriving on the train at High Noon.
Wooley was born in Erick, Oklahoma, and was reared on a farm. He learned how to ride horses at a young age, and was a working cowboy and rodeo rider. He also played in a country-western band. During Wor...
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Shelby F. "Sheb" Wooley (April 10, 1921 – September 16, 2003) was a character actor and singer, best known for his 1958 novelty hit "The Purple People Eater". Also for playing Ben Miller, brother of Frank Miller arriving on the train at High Noon.
Wooley was born in Erick, Oklahoma, and was reared on a farm. He learned how to ride horses at a young age, and was a working cowboy and rodeo rider. He also played in a country-western band. During World War II, Wooley was turned down for service because of his rodeo injuries. He worked in the oil industry and as a welder. In 1946, he moved to Fort Worth, Texas and became a country and western musician.
Wooley appeared in dozens of western films from the 1950s through 1970s, most notably High Noon. In 1954, he played outlaw Jim Younger in the syndicated western series Stories of the Century. Wooley appeared five times as Carl in the syndicated western series geared to juvenile audiences, The Adventures of Kit Carson (1951-1955). He appeared...
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