Dick Jones was born February 25, 1927, and was thrust into show business at an early age. Billed as "The World's Youngest Trick Rider and Trick Roper" at age four, it wasn't long before he was appearing in movies. His most famous role is the voice of Pinocchio in the 1940 Disney film.
Even as an adult, Jones mostly played juvenile roles, as he did in The Strawberry Roan (1948) which starred Gene Autry. After that, Dick worked a lot for Autry. In 1951, Dick and Jock Mahoney began starring in a series called The Range Rider (1951 - 1953, 78 episodes), produced by Autry's company, Flying A Productions. Dick played Dick West, a girl-crazy sidekick to Mahoney's strong, smart, and nameless (aside from "The Range Rider," that is) character. Both stars were outstanding athletes, and they got to show off lots of stunts in each and every episode.
After Range Rider ended, Autry put Dick in another series, Buffalo Bill Jr (1955 - 1956). This time, Dick was the main hero, although he still played a teenager. Harry Cheshire and Nancy Gilbert co-starred with him, and Buffalo Bill Jr. was a popular show during its short run. The chemistry between the three main characters, paired with Dick's trick riding and stunts, makes this kiddie western worth watching.
According to Dick, Buffalo Bill Jr. was to be renewed for another season, but the network wanted too much of the profits for Autry (ever the businessman) to agree to produce another season.
Dick continued appearing in movies and guest starring on TV shows into the mid-1960s, when he finally retired from show business. He had never chosen it in the first place, and he was far from being enchanted with it. Although he would appear at film festivals in his later years, he always kept his private life private. He and his wife, Betty, were married for 66 years, and had four children.
Since Dick passed away on July 7, 2014, a friend of his and Betty's published two books about him, but they contain little information that is very personal, instead focusing on all of his film work and stories about what went on behind the scenes. Still the books are worth reading if you want to know more about Dick Jones, a man well-liked and respected by his peers.
Dick Jones—Where the Action Was by Ann Snuggs (2015, BearManor Media publishers)
No Strings—In Search of Dickie Jones by Ann Snuggs (2016, BearManor Media publishers)
Dick Jones
February 25, 1927 - July 7, 2014