Elvis Presley is known for his electrifying performances and chart-topping hits, but did you know that he also dabbled in acting? While he’s mainly known for his roles in musical films, Elvis also starred in a few Western movies.
One of his most notable Western films is “Charro!” released in 1969.
In this movie, Elvis played the character Jess Wade, a former outlaw who tries to clear his name after being falsely accused of stealing a Mexican cannon. The film features plenty of action-packed scenes and showcases Elvis’s acting chops outside of his typical musical roles.
Another lesser-known Western movie that Elvis starred in is “Flaming Star,” which was released in 1960. In this film, Elvis played the character Pacer Burton, a half-white, half-Native American man caught between two worlds during a conflict between settlers and Native Americans. The film was praised for its portrayal of race relations and features a standout performance from Elvis.
While these two Western films are not as well-known as some of Elvis’s other movies, they show that the King could hold his own outside of the music world.
Aside from these two movies, Elvis made appearances in other Western-themed TV shows and specials throughout his career. He appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” dressed as a cowboy and performed songs like “Peace in the Valley” and “Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear.” He also wore Western attire during his famous ’68 Comeback Special where he sang songs like “Guitar Man” and “Blue Christmas.”
In conclusion, while Elvis may be best known for his music career, he also had a successful run as an actor with several Western-themed projects under his belt. Whether it was on the big screen or television, Elvis always managed to captivate audiences with his charisma and talent.