Dick Botiller

Dick Botiller specialized in portraying Indians, Mexicans and natives in westerns, serials and an occasional A grade film. His career spanned about twenty years, from about 1932-1952, and many of his roles were uncredited. The film companies seemed to have a problem with Botiller's last name. If he received credit in the opening or closing titles, the name Botiller was often mangled/misspelled.

There were rare occasions when he landed a substantial role with some screen time and dialog. Examples: Botiller is moustached henchman "Zutta" in the RADIO PATROL (Universal, 1937) cliffhanger; he's the local sheriff in Charles Starrett's THE RETURN OF THE DURANGO KID (Columbia, 1945); and he's the main helper to good badman Noah Beery Sr. in one of Gene Autry's best, MEXICALI ROSE (Republic, 1939).

Prior to Hollywood, Botiller had many jobs including ownership of the New Method Shoe Shop in Ventura, California during the 1920s - early 1930s (see the census info below).

The March 26, 1953 Ventura County (California) Star-Free Press newspaper had a funeral notice for former Ventura, California resident Richard Botiller, who died March 24, 1953 at Inyokern, California. Survivors were two sisters and two brothers. (Inyokern is located in Kern County, California, near the Inyo County border ... hence the name.)

The Family Search website (free), Ancestry.com (subscription), newspapers, and the California Death Index have more on Dick Botiller:

1910 census - Richard Botiller was about 12 years of age (born about 1898) and listed as "Ward" and living in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California. He was one of many children at the St. Francis Orphanage, Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVG5-F4N
World War I draft registration for Richard Edward Botiller, born October 12, 1896 in Ventura, California. He was working at the Ventura Laundry Co. in Ventura, California and his contact was mother Ellen Botiller in Saint Maria, California: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-26255-8171-88?cc=1968530&wc=MM18-JNC:48367991
Veterans Administration Master Index record for Richard Edward Botiller. He was born October 12, 1896 and lived in Ventura, California. Branch of service was "Ck Sup Co 47 FA", and he served from September 3, 1918 to February 3, 1919. Guessing that FA is Field Artillery: https://www.familysearch.org/search/ark:/61903/1:1:QPZN-TLG8
1920 census - Richard Botiller was a roomer living with the Stanchfield family in Ventura, Ventura County, California. Born about 1897 in California, Botiller was single. Occupation of Botiller and 22 year old Evan Stanchfield were "Part owner - shoe repair": https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHHW-7V9
Ad for Dick Botiller's New Method Shoe Shop in Ventura, California in the March 5, 1924 issue of the Ventura County Star and Ventura Daily Post newspaper: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81015682/in-the-1920s-actor-dick-botiller-owned/
1930 census - Richard E. Botiller was one of several roomers living in San Buenaventura, Ventura County, California. Born about 1897 in California; occupation was "Proprietor - Shoe Store"; and Botiller lists himself as married, but his wife is not with him. He also says "No" to the are you a veteran question: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJN-8C5
1942 World War II draft registration - Richard Edward C. Botiller reports his birth date and location as October 12, 1896 in Ventura, California. He was living at 1802 North Wilton in Hollywood, and his occupation was "Freelance Actor - Various Studios". His contact was Mrs. Mamie Sumpter, 1802 North Wilton in Hollywood: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16387-46852-12?cc=1861144&wc=MMRW-1T7:n1710698885
California Death Index has a record for Richard Edward Botiller, born October 12, 1896 in California, Mother's maiden name of Barnes, and he passed away on March 24, 1953 in the Kern, California area: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPZK-S72
Funeral notice for Dick Botiller in the March 26, 1953 Ventura County (California) Star-Free Press newspaper: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81015501/funeral-notice-for-actor-dick-botiller/
Find A Grave has a record for Botiller, but no location or other info on his interment: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78426235/dick-botiller

Ancestry.com has a few family trees created by Botiller family members. They have Richard Edward Botiller born October 12, 1896 in Ventura, California; parents were Joaquin Botiller and Ellen Barnes; and he passed away on March 24, 1953 in Ridgecrest, Kern County, California. However, the funeral notice above has him passing in Inyokern, Kern County, California.

Although some of the data may be incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Dick Botiller: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0098553/

(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Above from left to right are Philo McCullough, Dick Botiller (with his trademark hat) and Claude Payton in THUNDER OVER TEXAS (Beacon, 1934) which starred Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams.

(Courtesy of Jack Jones)

From L-to-R are Jack Jones, Jack's wife Katharine 'Kitty' Jones, a moustached Dick Botiller, John McGuire and Chuck Baldra in a staged publicity still from a Reb Russell oater, possibly OUTLAW RULE (Willis Kent, 1935). Kitty wasn't the heroine - she subbed for the leading lady who couldn't make the photo shoot. (If this still is from OUTLAW RULE, the heroine would be Betty Mack.)

(From Old Corral collection)

From L-to-R are Reb Russell, Yvonne Pelletier, Fred Kohler, and Dick Botiller in LIGHTNING TRIGGERS (Willis Kent, 1935), Reb's last film.

(From Old Corral collection)

Above from left to right are Steve Clark, Dick Botiller and Rex Bell in a lobby card and a crop/blowup from Bell's WEST OF NEVADA (Colony, 1936).

(Courtesy of Les Adams)

L-to-R in the foreground are Dick Botiller, Carlyle Moore, Jr., Iron Eyes Cody and Dick Foran. There are several unidentifieds in the background. However, the only Native American appears to be Artie Ortego, who is directly behind Foran's left shoulder. Scene from TREACHERY RIDES THE RANGE (Warners, 1936).