Roland Charles Meyers, better known as Whip Wilson, was an American cowboy film star, born on June 16, 1911, in Granite City, Illinois. He began his career in the late194 0s, starring in B-westerns and establishing himself as a notable figure in the film industry.
Wilson's early work included appearances alongside Monogram's singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely in the 1948 film Silver Trails, a role that provided him with valuable experience in front of the camera. The following year, he starred in his own series films, beginning with Crashin Thru, followed by Haunted Trails, Range Land, and Riders of the Dusk.
One of the defining characteristics of Wilson's career was his horse, which was initially named "Silver Bullet" but later shortened to "Bullet" and then changed to "Rocket" due to the presence of a dog named "Bullet" in Roy Rogers' films.
Despite his best efforts, Wilson may have come along too late to establish himself as a major star, as studios were already phasing out low-budget westerns. The series he starred in received little attention, and after 12 films, veteran comedian Andy Clyde left the cast, replaced by Fuzzy Knight and later by Jim Bannon.
In 1950, Wilson starred in a series of films, including Gunslingers, Arizona Territory, Cherokee Uprising, Fence Riders, and Outlaws of Texas. The following year, his character continued in Lawless Cowboys, Stage to Blue River, Canyon Raiders, and Abilene Trail.
Throughout his career, Wilson struggled to differentiate himself from other cowboy stars, with the name of his horse, the bullwhip gimmick, and the false past created by the producers all being derivative. As a result, his career never really took off, and by 1952, his Hollywood career was all but over.
Wilson's last film was Wyoming Roundup, released in 1952, marking the end of his time as a leading cowboy film star. Despite his relatively short career, Whip Wilson left a lasting impact on the film industry, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of classic westerns.
