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Robert "Texas Bob" Hinkle's career in show business transitioned from the rodeo arena to the film studio, spanning the latter half of the 20th century. After graduating from high school in Brownfield, Texas, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force in November 1947 and was honorably discharged in March 1950. Following his service, he joined the rodeo circuit. At a rodeo in Moses Lake, Washington, where he competed as a calf roper and bulldogger, Bob achieved what he considered his most memorable feat: he bet a fellow competitor $20 that he could secure a date with the Queen of the Rodeo, Miss Sandra Larson. He met her, took her to the rodeo dance that evening, won his bet, and married Sandra fifteen months later. Their marriage has lasted over 56 years, during which they raised three children: Michael, Bradley, and Melody.
While visiting rodeo friends on the set of Universal's 1952 film "Bronco Buster," Bob's western look and demeanor caught the attention of director Budd Boetticher, who offered him an uncredited role as a cowboy stuntman. This experience convinced Bob that the Hollywood "reel" West was preferable to risking injury in actual rodeos. Soon after, he began acting roles that led to a pivotal moment in 1955 when he returned to Texas to work on the Marfa location of George Stevens' "Giant." There, he served as a technical and dialogue director/coach, advising stars such as James Dean, Rock Hudson, Mercedes McCambridge, and Dennis Hopper on authentic Texas speech. He performed a similar coaching role on "Hud," working with Paul Newman, Patricia Neal, and Melvyn Douglas, and also created and directed the 'pig scramble' scene in that film.
Bob's 1955 work on "Giant," enriched by the guidance of George Stevens, broadened his interest in filmmaking beyond stunt work. In 1960, he wrote, directed, and produced "Old Rex" for Universal Pictures, along with a short film titled "Born Hunters." This led to producing a live-action short for Paramount, "Mr. Chat" (1964). His career continued to grow in 1964 when he produced a series of country music specials called "Hollywood Jubilee," featuring Jeannie Seely, Henson Cargill, and a then-unknown Glen Campbell. That same year, he became the personal manager for fellow Texan and longtime friend Chill Wills.
Between 1963 and 1965, Bob wrote, directed, and produced several two-reel shorts for Paramount, filmed in Technicolor on location across the United States. Titles included "Born Hunter," narrated by Tex Williams; "Thoroughbred Racing," shot in Kentucky and narrated by Don "Red" Barry; as well as "Texas Today" and "Virginia City," narrated by Chill Wills. From 1968 to 1971, he served as promoter for daredevil stunt performer Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel.
In 1970, Hinkle became the personal manager for Marty Robbins, a role he held until Robbins' passing in 1982. In 1972, he merged his film production background with country music by producing and directing "Country Music Jubilee" for Universal, starring Marty Robbins and Sammy Jackson. That year, he also produced "Guns of a Stranger," featuring his clients Marty Robbins and Chill Wills. In 1982, Bob produced "Atoka," an event attended by 100,000 people, featuring Willie Nelson, Larry Gatlin, Don Williams, Freddy Fender, Hoyt Axton, David Allan Coe, Freddie Weller, Red Steagall, and Marty Robbins.
Later, Bob served as General Manager of Network One in Nashville, where he produced numerous TV shows, music videos, and national commercials. He and Sandra now live in Dallas, returning to their roots. Although semi-retired, Bob remains active, assisting disaster victims through his work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
