Don 'Brown Jug' Reynolds

Don Reynolds has spent literally his own life performing for audiences and working with animals.  Starting at the age of only 3 ½ years old, he made his first public appearance in a rodeo on a trained trick pony.  This was soon followed by other surprizing accomplishements --

He learned to trick rope at age 4 ½ years.
He learned to trick ride at age 5 ½ years.
He learned to Roman Ride at age 10 years.
By the time Don was 14, he had performed in over 500 rodeos across the United States and Canada.

When Don was 16 years old, he made his final performance in a rodeo was but went on to perform in the 1958 Worlds Fair in Brussels as a member of the Wild West Show!

These early years working on the rodeo circuit made his transition to films and TV anatural one. Throughout his Hollyeood career, Don worked with many of the classic stars.

Appeared with Roy Rogers in:
Yellow Rose of Texas
Song of Arizona

Appeared with Eddy Dean in :
Romance Of The West

Appeared with Gene Autry in:
The Last Roundup
Beyond The Purple Hills

Appeared with Robert Mitchum in:
The Red Pony

Appeared with Charles Starret in:
Whirlwind Raiders
Snake River Desperados
Streets Of Ghost Town

Appeared with Lassie in:
The Painted Hills

Appeared as a double for fellow MFF guest Jon Provost in a Lassie episode for TV

Appeared with Jim "Red Ryder" Bannon in:
Ride Ryder Ride
Roll Thunder Roll
The Fighting Red Head
The Cowboy And The Prizefighter

In more recnet years, Don has worked as an animal trainer in many films, including:

Santa Claus- The Movie -- Trained the reindeer to pull the sleigh

Big Top Pee Wee -- Worked with various animals

The Three Kings -- Trained camels

Kate And Leopold -- Trained horses and appeared as the buggy driver

Lord Of The Rings -- Trainer of Shadowfax and other horses

Twister-- Bull from the sky trainer of the brahma bulls and appeared briefly

The Sopranos - One episode, trained a horse to be sick

The Scorpion King - Worked with oxen and horses

Letters From A Killer - Trained horses

Envy - Trained horses

Solar Crisis - Trained camels

My Girl 2, Naked Gun 2 ½, Ed Wood, Wolf - Various animals


Don also took time out to raise two boys at Thatcher School in Ojai, CA. At the school, he worked as a riding instructor, horseshoer, trainer, camping and horse show supervisor.

"Brown Jug" has had a varied career and an incredible life.  Come meet this fascinating gentleman at Memphis this summer!