The Most Famous Cowboy Actor, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the cowboy actor you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 30, 2024 07:05

Picture yourself flipping through channels, stopping on a classic western film with a rugged cowboy stealing the scene. The leading man's charisma is unmistakable, but you wonder: is he considered one of the greats? That's where our list comes into play. It helps to clarify which cowboy actors have left the biggest mark on the hearts of fans across generations. By participating in our live ranking, you contribute to a consensus on which cowboy actor truly captures the essence of the genre. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of westerns or a newcomer intrigued by dusty shootouts and saloon brawls, your vote helps paint a clearer picture. Dive into our list, cast your votes, and see how your favorite stacks up against the legends.

Who Is the Most Famous Cowboy Actor?

1

48
votes
Howard_Hawks'Rio_Bravo_trailer_(26).jpg: Trailer screenshot derivative work: Liorek (talk) · Public domain

John Wayne

Known for his tough and rugged roles in Western films, John Wayne is perhaps the most famous cowboy actor of all time. He starred in over 140 films and won an Academy Award for his role in True Grit.
John Wayne in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Sigma Chi
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous John
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous Duke
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Texas
2

31
votes
Raffi Asdourian · CC BY 2.0

Clint Eastwood

Gorillaz

Another iconic cowboy actor, Clint Eastwood is known for his roles in Westerns such as The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and Unforgiven. He has also directed and produced many successful films.
Clint Eastwood is one of the most well-known songs by the virtual band Gorillaz. It was released as a single in 2001 and featured on their self-titled debut album. The song combines elements of alternative rock, hip hop, and trip hop genres, creating a unique sound that became a signature style for the band. With its catchy melodies, memorable chorus, and iconic rap verses, Clint Eastwood became an instant hit and established Gorillaz as a groundbreaking musical project.

Release Year: 2001

Album: Gorillaz

Genre: Alternative rock, hip hop, trip hop

Length: 5:42

Lead Vocals: Damon Albarn
Clint Eastwood in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous elderly actor
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Gorillaz song
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous elderly person
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous person from San Francisco
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous cigar smoker
3

27
votes

Warner Bros. · Public domain

Gary Cooper

A classic cowboy actor from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Gary Cooper starred in Westerns such as High Noon and The Virginian. He won two Academy Awards in his career.
4

9
votes
Joseph Kane · Public domain

Roy Rogers

A singing cowboy who starred in over 100 Western films, Roy Rogers was a beloved figure in the genre. He was also a successful musician and television personality.
Roy Rogers in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Texas
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Oklahoma
5

12
votes
Joseph Kane · Public domain

Gene Autry

Another singing cowboy, Gene Autry starred in over 90 films and had a successful music career. He was also a television host and owner of the Anaheim Angels baseball team.
Gene Autry in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Oklahoma
6

5
votes
National Photo Company · Public domain

Tom Mix

E.N. Dally

A silent film star who transitioned to talkies, Tom Mix was known for his daring stunts and action-packed Westerns. He helped popularize the cowboy genre in the early days of cinema.
The 'Tom Mix' is a style of cowboy hat that gained popularity in the early 20th century. It is characterized by its distinctive high crown and wide brim, which provided ample protection from the sun. The hat has a prominent crease along the top of the crown and often features decorative accents such as a hatband or silver conchos.

Crown Height: Approximately 6 inches

Brim Width: Around 4 inches

Crease Style: Rancher crease

Material: Typically made of felt or straw

Color Options: Various earth tones
Tom Mix in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Oklahoma
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular shape of cowboy hat
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Texas
7

13
votes

Studio publicity still · Public domain

James Stewart

While not exclusively a cowboy actor, James Stewart starred in several successful Westerns such as The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Winchester '73. He was a beloved actor known for his everyman charm.
8

11
votes

Studio · Public domain

Randolph Scott

A popular cowboy actor in the 1940s and 1950s, Randolph Scott starred in numerous Westerns such as Ride the High Country and Seven Men from Now. He was known for his stoic and rugged demeanor.
9

10
votes

film studio · Public domain

William Holden

While not primarily known for his Western roles, William Holden starred in several successful films such as The Wild Bunch and The Horse Soldiers. He was a versatile actor who excelled in many genres.
10

6
votes
NBC Television Uploaded by We hope at en.wikipedia · Public domain

Lee Marvin

Another versatile actor who starred in Westerns as well as other genres, Lee Marvin's most famous cowboy role was in the classic film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. He won an Academy Award for his role in Cat Ballou.
Lee Marvin in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Marine

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous cowboy actor. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Cowboy actor is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2045 views
166 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Cowboy actor once every 24 hours. The rank of each Cowboy actor is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous cowboy actor

When we think of the Wild West and cowboys, we often imagine a rugged and fearless hero on horseback, riding into the sunset. And when it comes to cowboy actors, there are a few names that immediately come to mind. John Wayne, for instance, is often considered the quintessential cowboy actor. With his tough-guy persona and commanding presence, he starred in countless Western films throughout his career. Other notable cowboy actors include Clint Eastwood, Gary Cooper, and Roy Rogers. But who is the most famous cowboy actor of all time? That's a difficult question to answer definitively, as opinions vary depending on who you ask. However, we can certainly examine the contributions and impact of some of the most iconic cowboy actors to try and determine who deserves that title.