Share

Annie Oakley biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

  • PLACE OF DEATH: Greenville, Ohio
more about Annie

Best Known For

Annie Oakley was a legendary sharpshooter and performer in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. She was one of the best known characters of the Old West.

Videos see all videos

watch more videos (4)

Synopsis

Annie Oakley was born on August 13, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio. She started trick shooting to help her family financially and went on to tour with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show; even performing for Queen Victoria. A railroad accident in 1901 left her partially paralyzed, but she continued to perform until her retirement in the 1910s. She died in 1926.

Contents

Profile

Sharpshooter, entertainer. Born on August 13, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio. Annie Oakley is remembered as one of the leading women of the American West, especially known for her talent with a gun. She originally began shooting as a means of helping out her family. This skill turned out to be quite lucrative—she earned more than she could have imagined performing shooting tricks. After beating him in a shooting competition, Annie Oakley married Frank E. Butler, a top shooter and vaudeville performer. The couple started working together with Butler assisting Oakley with her stunning displays of marksmanship.

Annie Oakley became one of the top acts in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1885. The couple toured with the show for years, and audiences were wowed by her abilities. She could shoot off the end of a cigarette held in her husband's lips, hit the thin edge of a playing card from 30 paces, and shoot distant targets while looking into a mirror. Oakley even entertained such royals as Queen Victoria and Kraiser Wilhelm II—and shot a cigarette out of his mouth. Not even a railroad accident in 1901 could slow her down for long. Despite being partially paralyzed, Oakley kept on delighting crowds with her tricks.

After retiring with her husband in the 1910s, Annie Oakley stepped out of the spotlight and pursued such hobbies as hunting and fishing. She died on November 3, 1926. The news of her death saddened the nation and brought forth a wave of tributes. Part of her lasting legacy is the Irving Berlin musical Annie Get Your Gun (1946) based on her life story.

© 2012 A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT

GetGlue

9426141 9426141
profile id: 9426141
profile name: Annie Oakley
profile occupation:
related profile id: 9426141
related profile name: Annie Oakley
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/O/Annie-Oakley-9426141-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/annie-oakley-9426141
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups

    Shop Bio
    Buffalo Bill Showman of the West DVD
    DVD
    $19.99

    Buy Now

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!