Kathryn Jones’ Tall in the Saddle: The Life of Ben Johnson, Hollywood’s Real Cowboy offers an engaging portrait of a man whose life was almost as remarkable as the Westerns in which he appeared. Born on an Oklahoma ranch, Johnson grew up with horses and rodeo before an unexpected opportunity to provide horses for Howard Hughes’ The Outlaw led him into Hollywood.
The book traces Johnson’s six-decade career, from his work alongside John Wayne and other stars of classic Westerns to his later collaborations with filmmakers including Sam Peckinpah, Steven Spielberg, and Peter Bogdanovich. His Oscar-winning performance in The Last Picture Show is an especially important part of the story, demonstrating the depth he brought to a career that began behind the scenes.
Drawing on interviews with colleagues, costars, directors, and rodeo companions, Jones captures Johnson’s connection to the American West and the authenticity he brought to his performances. For fans of classic Westerns and Hollywood history, Tall in the Saddle is a fitting tribute to a performer who genuinely lived the cowboy life he portrayed on screen.
