From Pawnee Nation College faculty to 'Rooster Cogburn'

PAWNEE, Okla. (AP) – How does the faculty chair at Pawnee Nation College become “Rooster Cogburn,” the character played by John Wayne in the original Oscar-winning movie “True Grit”?

“Well, that's an interesting story,” said Dr. Clarance Benes, who teaches up to 10 different classes at the college. “It all goes back to my interest in murder-mystery shows.

“I love being in character. I've played a lot of characters in murder mysteries over the years.”

Then, 17 years ago, someone asked him to play “Rooster Cogburn” for a fundraiser in Fort Smith, where much of the movie was based on the true Wild West legend of Judge Isaac C. Parker, the so-called “hanging judge.”

“I'm 6-foot-4 and about 250 pounds (Wayne's approximate size) and apparently, when I get all dressed up and in character, people think I resemble him,” said Benes. “After the fundraiser, I went into a bar in downtown Fort Smith and everyone there started calling me Rooster.

“So, I just stayed in character.”

It was the start of 17 years of playing Rooster Cogburn, the only Wayne character that he does.

If you think it is sort of odd that a college professor does an impersonation of a John Wayne character as a part-time job, you are not alone.

“Oh, I get the irony,” said Benes. “Let me assure you, I definitely get the irony.

“But, I don't play any John Wayne characters other than Rooster Cogburn, who only hunted down some bad cowboys in Indian Territory.”

Plus, Benes always makes sure he talks about his real job with the Pawnee Nation College.

“I was born right here in the Pawnee Nation and grew up right here in the Pawnee Nation,” said Benes. “I have studied the history of the tribe and have a great appreciation about everything in this tribe.”

Benes appears up to three or four times a month at various events, shows and private functions as Rooster Cogburn.

It doesn't take long to get into character.

On a recent morning, Benes switched from his real-life role as a professor into “Rooster Cogburn” in about three minutes.

He went from telling stories in a normal voice, discussing his interest in murder mysteries, into full character as Rooster Cogburn.

He even stayed in character through lunch. At Click's Steakhouse, a Pawnee landmark on the Courthouse Square, a handful of folks greeted him as Rooster. One lady, who had an eye appointment that morning, asked if she could borrow his eye patch.

“I think everyone around here knows I do Rooster Cogburn,” said Benes. “I've been doing it a long time.”

Benes' second occupation as Rooster Cogburn really started after he wrote a murder mystery for an event called “Who killed Marshall Slow?”

He has spent most of his life as a teacher. The Tulsa World reports that the 65-year-old graduated from Morrison High School, a small town west of Pawnee, and he still lives nearby.

He's taught at Morrison, Murray State in Kentucky, Oklahoma Baptist University and was a teaching associate at Oklahoma State University. Now he's come full circle.

He's always had the acting bug and enjoys playing characters in all type of events and shows.

He's been a wildcatter in shows in Drumright and even did a few shows as Teddy Roosevelt. He was “Father Time” at a Pawnee New Year's Eve celebration.

However, he is primarily known for his roles as Rooster Cogburn.

“That's the one people usually want,” said Benes. “I enjoy doing it.

“It is all about the voice, the head tilts and hand movements. There's more to it than just kind of looking like him. I've watched True Grit at least 20 times. I studied his movements and I try mimicking those the best I can.

“For me, this is just a fun thing to do when I'm not teaching.”

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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com