Montie Montana

 Montie Montana, born Owen Harlen Mickel (June 21, 1910 – May 20, 1998)

Montana was a rodeo trick rider and trick roper, actor, stuntman and cowboy inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1994. He was born in Wolf Point, Montana. He was a perennial participant in the Tournament of Roses Parade until his death in 1998. TV viewers know him from more than 60 appearances, waving to the crowd from his silver saddle. He had small roles in 19 films, including "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962), and did stunts in a dozen others. In 1953 he made headlines when he lassoed President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a gag during Ike's inaugural parade in Washington. The President agreed to the stunt beforehand, but his bodyguards were not amused. "I'm lucky the Secret Service didn't ventilate me", the performer quipped. He could be seen as a contestant on the May 7, 1959 TV broadcast of You Bet Your Life, along with his horse Rex. Montana would go to elementary schools and perform with Rex. He performed rope tricks on and off of Rex, and would pass out photos of him and Rex to the students at the end of his show. In 1996, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him. He died at age 88 on May 20, 1998, and is buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, CA.