Evelyn Ruth Finley, a brunette with a passion for horses, defied convention as a tomboy on her father's ranch, where she developed her exceptional equestrian skills from a young age. Her father's promise to put her in pictures eventually led her to Hollywood, although the exact circumstances of her arrival remain unclear. Possibly, winning the title of "Miss Albuquerque" in 1936 played a role in her breakthrough.
Evelyn's first film appearance was as a stunt double for Jean Parker in 1936. By 1940, she had secured a contract with Monogram Pictures, where her impressive riding skills quickly propelled her to leading lady roles alongside notable stars such as Tex Ritter, Tom Keene, Johnny Mack Brown, and Buster Crabbe.
Under the pseudonym Eve Anderson, Evelyn starred in the 1956 serial Perils of the Wilderness, one of the last of its kind produced at Columbia Pictures. However, she preferred the thrill of stunt work, often doubling for glamorous stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Loretta Young on horseback.
Evelyn's dedication to her craft led her to remain actively involved in the film industry, either as a stunt performer or technical adviser, until the 1980s. When not working in Hollywood, she toured the country as an equestrian performer with various circuses.
Evelyn's impressive career culminated in her induction into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame, a testament to her enduring legacy as a pioneering stunt rider in the western genre.
