Unkempt, rough and tough looking members of the gang, or lynch mob, or vigilantes, or posse riders, or cow herders. They had minimal or no dialog, not much screen time, and were generally not listed in the film credits. Some would show up as a face in the crowd, portraying townspeople, barflys, deputies, wagon drivers, ranch hands, etc. We tend to recognize some of their faces, but have no clue as to their real names. |
In Search of the Bucko Brothers - Roy Bucko and Ralph 'Buck' Bucko
Real names: Roy Francis Bouckou (1893-1954) Rudoph Hunter Bouckou (1891-1962)
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1933 1945 | Roy Bucko Real name: Roy Francis Bouckou 1893 - 1954 |
Roy Bucko's Hollywood career amounted to about 400 films beginning in mid 1920s silents and continuing through 1954, the year in which he died. Most of his roles were unbilled / uncredited as a henchman, townsman, rider, barfly, etc.
He was married twice and had a son and daughter with his first wife. Roy passed away from heart problems at his North Hollywood home on August 6, 1954. The Family Search website (free), Ancestry.com (subscription), Newspaper Archive website (subscription), California Death Index, and death certificate provide more on Roy Bucko and family:
Although some of the data may be incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Roy Bucko: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0118771/ |
Ralph 'Buck' Bucko Real name: Rudoph Hunter Bouckou 1891 - 1962 | 1931 1943 |
Ralph 'Buck' Bucko's Hollywood career amounted to about 300 films beginning in mid 1920s silents and ending in late 1950s - early 1960s movies and TV programs. Most of his roles were unbilled / uncredited as a henchman, townsman, rider, barfly, etc.
Buck was active in efforts to unionize / organize the bit players, stunt performers, riders, etc. The "Riding Actors' Association of Hollywood" was formed in the mid 1930s and Buck was a member, officer, and the 1936 vice president of the group. And in the 1940 census, his occupation was "Clerk - Actors Union", and employer on his World War II draft registration was Screen Actors Guild. He was a bachelor, and passed away from a heart attack on August 6, 1962 while on a visit to Yakima, Washington. The Family Search website (free), Ancestry.com (subscription), Social Security Death Index (SSDI), and ProQuest obituaries provide more on Ralph 'Buck' Bucko:
Although some of the data may be incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Ralph 'Buck' Bucko: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0118769/ |
(Courtesy of May Bopp, Bob Burns' daughter) Above are the Riding Actors Association officers for 1937. Top row left to right are: George Sowards, Buck Bucko, Tommy Coats, Bud Rae, Henry Morris, Joe Balch and Bob Burns. Bottom row left to right are: Len / Lem Sowards (Treasurer), Cliff Smith (President), Ed Clay (Vice President) and John Judd (Secretary). George and Len / Lem Sowards were brothers. Below is a crop/blowup with a closer view of the faces.
(Courtesy of Dorothy Hack) Members of the Santa Monica Mounted Police unit circa 1939-1940. The men in the photo include three western film veterans. From left to right are unidentified, Bob Card, Ralph 'Buck' Bucko, unidentified, unidentified, and Herman Hack. (Courtesy of Les Adams) In the above still and crop/blowups, Ken Maynard is prone among an entire regiment of henchies in THE FIDDLIN' BUCKAROO (Universal, 1933). From L-to-R are Slim Whitaker, Bud McClure, Frank Ellis (face in shadows), Roy Bucko (with Maynard's pearl handled six-shooter in his belt), Hank Bell (with Maynard's other pearl handled six-shooter in his belt), Jack Kirk (face in shadows), Jack King (tall hat), Fred Kohler, partial face of unidentified guy, and Buck Bucko.This was one of about 150 films in which both Bucko brothers were employed. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from left to right are Marion Shilling, Rocky Camron/Gene Alsace, Roy Bucko, Ed Carey, Lew Meehan and Buck Bucko in GUNSMOKE OVER THE GUADALUPE (Willis Kent, 1935), Camron's only starring oater and he was billed in this film as 'Buck Coburn'. This was another film in which both Buckos had roles. (Courtesy of Ed Tabor) Above from left to right are Roy Bucko, Al Bridge, Marion Weldon, Art Mix (George Kesterson) and Blackie Whiteford in a scene from DODGE CITY TRAIL (Columbia, 1936), which starred Charles Starrett. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from left to right are Herman Hack, Tommy Coats, Fred Graham, Bud Geary and Buck Bucko in a scene from CHEROKEE FLASH (Republic, 1945) which starred Sunset Carson. (Courtesy of Wes Baker) Silver Tip Baker is on the far right standing, and kneeling on the far right is Buck Bucko. And No! - that's not Tim McCoy standing on the far left. Other faces are unidentified. Undated photo is probably from one of the Chuck Wagon Trailers ("old timers") gatherings which were held each year. (Courtesy of Dorothy Hack) Above - a group shot from the Richard Dix THE KANSAN (1943). From left to right are an unidentified guy, Buck Bucko, Robert Armstrong, Lew Morphy, Richard Dix, Art Felix, Cliff Parkinson and Herman Hack. |