
Evelyn Finley
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.
17
Films
0
TV Shows
Known For
17 Credits
Sundown Riders
as Donna Frazier
1944

The Guns of Fort Petticoat
as Blonde in Combat Practice (uncredited)
1957

Westward the Women
as Pioneer Woman (uncredited)
1951

Freebie and the Bean
as Old Lady in Bed (uncredited)
1974

Prairie Rustlers
as Helen Foster
1945

The Diamond Queen
as Slave Girl
1953

Take It Big
as Violet Thompson (uncredited)
1944

Gunning for Justice
as Winnie Stewart
1948

The Sheriff of Medicine Bow
as Nan Prentiss
1948

Perils of the Wilderness
as Donna Blaine (as Eve Anderson)
1956

Trail Riders
as Mary Rand
1942

Valley Of Vengeance
as Helen Miller
1944