Trivia

Was an avid pilot and owned a flying school that trained flyers for the government during World War II.

The main street of Kingman, Arizona, near his birthplace of Flagstaff is named Andy Devine Boulevard.

His high-pitched gravelly voice was the result of a childhood accident. While running with a stick (some accounts say a curtain rod) in his mouth, he tripped and fell, ramming the stick through the roof of his mouth. For almost a year, he was unable to speak at all. When he did get his voice back, at length, it had the wheezing, almost duo-toned quality that would ultimately make him a star. Another account of his throat injury says he was sliding down the banister in his father's hotel and somehow damaged his throat.

John Wayne and James Stewart were among those who attended his funeral.

Also had a children's television show on one of the local Los Angeles television stations called "Andy and Froggy" where his sidekick was a frog puppet.

Was a licensed amateur (ham) radio operator with the call sign WB6RER. The call is now owned by an amateur radio club in Kingman, Arizona, which holds an annual event in memory of their favorite son.

Best known for his sidekick role opposite Guy Madison on the Western series Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951). As Jingles P. Jones, he rode a horse named Joker. The role was originally offered to but turned down by Burl Ives.

John Ford picked him to play Buck, the stagecoach teamster, in La Chevauchée fantastique (1939) because he had actual experience driving a six-horse team.

He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6366 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Radio at 6258 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Made his stage debut as Captain Andy Hawks in Guy Lombardo's 1957 production of "Show Boat" at a theater on Long Island.

Buster Keaton stayed at a hotel owned by Devine's father when filming Ma vache et moi (1925). According to Devine, Keaton encouraged the 19 year old Devine to go to Hollywood. "Said he'd get me a job and he did. I've never been without one since.".

Father of Tad Devine and Denny Devine, who played his sons in Le Passage du canyon (1946).

Reminisced by Jimmy Buffett in his hit song, "Pencil Thin Mustache", in 1974 (it is song #10 on Buffett's album, "Songs You Know by Heart"). It is a song about the entertainment of Jimmy's youth, while growing up in the 1950s. Jimmy pays tribute to Andy in the chorus, "I wish I had a pencil thin mustache, The 'Boston Blackie' kind. A two-toned Ricky Ricardo jacket and an autographed picture of Andy Devine.".

In 1938 he was elected honorary Mayor of Van Nuys, California.

According to an in-depth article by Joe Collura for "Classic Images", Andy was born in Flagstaff, Arizona, but moved with his family west to Kingman in Mohave County. While there his father, Thomas, served as the Mohave County treasurer and owned the Hotel Beale. His father later suffered from stomach cancer and traveled to Los Angeles for treatment, where he died during surgery.

Had played professional football at one point and used the name Jeremiah Schwartz in order to avoid jeopardizing his amateur standing.

Was in six Oscar Best Picture nominees: Roméo et Juliette (1936), Une étoile est née (1937), L'incendie de Chicago (1938), La Chevauchée fantastique (1939), Le tour du monde en 80 jours (1956) and La Conquête de l'Ouest (1962). Around the World in 80 Days won.

Had played Hap Gorman on the first season of the MGM/NBC television series Flipper le dauphin (1964).

Was in movie, L'homme qui tua Liberty Valance (1962), in major role as Link Appleyard the town marshal of Shinbone. Movie also had main characters played by James Stewart, and John Wayne.

Was mentioned in the 1974 song "Pencil Thin Mustache" by Jimmy Buffett.

He campaigned for Barry Goldwater in the 1964 US presidential election.

Was a regular guest on Jack Benny's radio show for a while, usually when the cast did a "Buck Benny" cowboy sketch.