John Stone, later known as Jack Hoxie, was a renowned American cowboy star of silent films. Born in the Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, and later in Idaho, Hoxie's early life was marked by a strong affinity for riding and roping, skills he honed at a young age.
As a rodeo star, Hoxie achieved unparalleled success, claiming national championships and earning widespread recognition. Following a stint touring the United States with a Wild West show in 1914, Hoxie migrated to Hollywood, where he secured work as a stuntman.
Hoxie's rugged, stalwart appearance, coupled with his expertise as a cowhand, swiftly garnered the attention of producers and studios. Initially, he went by the name John Stone, later adopting the moniker Hartford Hoxie and, finally, Art Hoxie upon being signed by producer Anthony J. Xydias of Sunset Productions for a series of low-budget Westerns.
By 1921, Hoxie's burgeoning success had caught the eye of Universal Pictures, which lured him away and placed him in more prominent Westerns. Although he never attained the same level of stardom as Douglas Fairbanks or Charles Chaplin, Hoxie was a prominent figure among Western stars.
However, his career rapidly declined with the advent of sound, as his abilities did not extend beyond appearing the part of a cowboy, despite his rugged appearance. His struggles with reading, which he barely could, further hindered his prospects.
Despite this, Hoxie continued to appear in smaller roles well into the 1930s, before leaving Hollywood to star in his own Western-style circus. By the end of the decade, he had retired to a ranch in Oklahoma, where he spent the remainder of his days in relative obscurity.
Hoxie passed away in Kansas in 1965 at the age of 80, leaving behind his brother, lesser-known cowboy actor Al Hoxie.
