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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2026
Jess Franks
Born in Texas, Jess Franks moved to Farmington, New Mexico, at the age of 4. He began loading roping calves at the local rodeo when he was 11, picking up broncs in his teens and fighting bulls when he was 15. Throughout high school, Franks competed in roughstock events – to pay his entry fees, he worked as a pickup man and bullfighter. In 1970, he was drafted into the Army and shipped to Vietnam, then re-enlisted and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, After the Army, Franks embarked on a professional bullfighting career; Harry Vold, Bob Tallman, Skipper Voss and Wick Peth signed his PRCA card.
In 1983, Franks pivoted to barrelman to focus on his comedy acts. Franks performed at NIRA Finals nine times, Montana Circuits Finals five times, Turquoise Circuit Finals five times, Indian National Finals and Columbia Circuit Finals. He also worked the barrel for Wrangler Bullfights, was NFR alternate barrelman in 1988 and the NFR barrelman in 1989.
Franks worked major PRCA rodeos with his pink car act, chariot race and mule Sally. Franks produced and promoted the Farmington Pro Rodeo for 10 years, served on the PRCA Executive Council for six years and the Rodeo de Santa Fe Board for Directors for four years. He also worked on various movies and commercials, earning his SAG card as a stuntman and actor. Franks has been inducted into The Wrangler Bullfights of Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, the All Cowboy & Arena Champions Hall of Fame and built a museum dedicated to preserving the role that rodeo bullfighters, barrelman and rodeo clowns have played in rodeo history.
Born in Texas, Jess Franks moved to Farmington, New Mexico, at the age of 4. He began loading roping calves at the local rodeo when he was 11, picking up broncs in his teens and fighting bulls when he was 15. Throughout high school, Franks competed in roughstock events – to pay his entry fees, he worked as a pickup man and bullfighter. In 1970, he was drafted into the Army and shipped to Vietnam, then re-enlisted and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, After the Army, Franks embarked on a professional bullfighting career; Harry Vold, Bob Tallman, Skipper Voss and Wick Peth signed his PRCA card.
In 1983, Franks pivoted to barrelman to focus on his comedy acts. Franks performed at NIRA Finals nine times, Montana Circuits Finals five times, Turquoise Circuit Finals five times, Indian National Finals and Columbia Circuit Finals. He also worked the barrel for Wrangler Bullfights, was NFR alternate barrelman in 1988 and the NFR barrelman in 1989.
Franks worked major PRCA rodeos with his pink car act, chariot race and mule Sally. Franks produced and promoted the Farmington Pro Rodeo for 10 years, served on the PRCA Executive Council for six years and the Rodeo de Santa Fe Board for Directors for four years. He also worked on various movies and commercials, earning his SAG card as a stuntman and actor. Franks has been inducted into The Wrangler Bullfights of Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, the All Cowboy & Arena Champions Hall of Fame and built a museum dedicated to preserving the role that rodeo bullfighters, barrelman and rodeo clowns have played in rodeo history.
