Evelyn Finley

Biography

Evelyn Ruth Finley was known as the most accomplished stunt rider in the western genre. Famous director William A. Wellman was one of many who regarded her as the best in the business. She worked with horses from early childhood and grew up a tomboy on her father's ranch. Her dad had promised 'to put her into pictures', but how she eventually arrived in Hollywood is unclear. Winning a beauty contest as 'Miss Albuquerque' might have helped. The year was 1936 and her first picture was as stunt double to Jean Parker. By 1940, Evelyn was under contract at Monogram where her skills in the saddle quickly promoted her to leading lady opposite the likes of Tex Ritter, Tom Keene, Johnny Mack Brown and Buster Crabbe. As blonde Eve Anderson, she got to star in one of the last serials made at Columbia, Perils of the Wilderness (1956). However, Evelyn preferred the stunt work to acting, often doubling on horseback for glamorous stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Loretta Young. She remained involved in her area of expertise, either actively or as technical adviser, well into the 1980's. When not working in the film industry, she toured as an equestrian performer at different circuses. Evelyn was inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame.

Most Known For

Sundown Riders

as Donna Frazier

Freebie and the Bean

as Old Lady in Bed (uncredited)

Westward the Women

as Pioneer Woman (uncredited)

The Guns of Fort Petticoat

as Blonde in Combat Practice (uncredited)

Prairie Rustlers

as Helen Foster

Valley Of Vengeance

as Helen Miller

Black Market Rustlers

as Linda Prescott

Perils of the Wilderness

as Donna Blaine (as Eve Anderson)

The Diamond Queen

as Slave Girl

Arizona Frontier

as Honey Lane

Trail Riders

as Mary Rand

Cowboy Commandos

as Joan Cameron

Gunning for Justice

as Winnie Stewart

Ghost Guns

as Ann Jordan

The Sheriff of Medicine Bow

as Nan Prentiss

Take It Big

as Violet Thompson (uncredited)

Dynamite Canyon

as Midge Reed