George Montgomery was a Hollywood actor and artist who was born in Brady, Montana, on August 29, 1916. His full name was George Montgomery Letz, and he was the youngest of fifteen children in a family of Ukrainian immigrants who lived on a large ranch where he learned to ride horses and work with cattle.

After spending a year at the University of Montana, George decided he wanted to make movies instead of staying in school, so he moved to Hollywood. His riding skills helped him get work doing stunts and small parts in Western movies at Republic Pictures, including his first film, "The Singing Vagabond," in 1935. In 1940 he signed with 20th Century Fox and, now using the name George Montgomery, began starring in more Westerns and adventure films such as "The Cisco Kid and the Lady," "China Girl," "Roxie Hart," and "Coney Island."

) His acting career lasted almost 60 years, and he appeared in about 87 films and many television shows. On TV he is especially remembered for playing Matt Rockford in the Western series "Cimarron City" in 1958 and for roles in shows like "General Electric Theater." During World War II he paused his movie work to serve in the United States Army Air Forces, and in 1943 he married famous singer and actress Dinah Shore; the couple had a daughter together.

Besides acting, George Montgomery was also a talented **artist** and builder. He loved working with wood and started by making furniture for himself, then turned the hobby into a full cabinet-making business. He later taught himself to sculpt in bronze and created busts of well-known people such as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Ronald Reagan, and Dinah Shore.

George Montgomery died on December 12, 2000, in California at the age of 84. His ashes were placed both near his California home and in Great Falls, Montana, showing his strong connection to his home state. To honor his work in television, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6301 Hollywood Boulevard.