EVENTS
Rodeo Clown and Bullfighter
Steer Wrestler
Born at Fort Worth, Texas, in 1937, George Doak became fascinated with rodeo as a youngster. When asked at age eight what he wanted to be when he grew up, he replied, “The best rodeo clown in the world.” Over a 28-year career in the arena, he certainly became one of the all-time great bullfighters in the sport.
Doak first fought bulls to earn entry fees at the Mesquite, Texas, rodeo in 1953. He launched his professional career at Cowtown, New Jersey, working the first nationally televised rodeo from 1957 to 1960. He teamed with Junior Meek in 1963 — the first time two bullfighters worked as partners. Over the years Doak thrilled audiences and saved contestants at venues from New York to Oregon, and from Canada to Florida. He fought bulls at all three finals rodeo venues (High School, three times; Intercollegiate, once; National, twice), and was honored, along with Quail Dobbs, to clown at the American Bicentennial Rodeo by invitation in 1976 at Philadelphia.
George Doak helped start the Wrangler Bullfight Program in 1979, and appeared at the event as both competitor and judge. For his appearances at the Pendleton Round-up over 19 years, he was inducted in that rodeo’s Hall of Fame in 1983. He and Junior Meek were inducted — as a team — in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs in 2000.
