About Billy Pearson
Lived 1920 – 2002 (aged 82). Billy Pearson was an American jockey, art dealer and actor.
Bill Austin Pearson (May 19, 1920 – November 28, 2002) was an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing, a quiz-show winner, an art expert and dealer and an actor. He is credited with 826 victories in his horse racing career.
Life and riding career Bill Austin Pearson was born on May 19, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Pasadena, California when he was five years old. During the depression, he quit school and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, where he became a flyweight boxer. Due to his dismal record, the director of the Corps informed him; "try something else kid, before you get killed, you're about the right size for a jockey". Pearson took the advice and got a job at the Le Mar Stock Farm at Santa Anita as a stable boy and hot walker.
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Important facts
People in Billy Pearson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Billy Pearson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Billy Pearson?
American jockey (1920-2002)
When was Billy Pearson born?
Billy Pearson was born on 19 May 1920 in Chicago.
When did Billy Pearson die?
Billy Pearson died on 28 November 2002.
What was Billy Pearson's occupation?
Billy Pearson was a jockey, art dealer and actor.
What nationality was Billy Pearson?
Billy Pearson was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Billy Pearson. https://biography.guide/billy-pearson/
MLA: "Billy Pearson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/billy-pearson/.
Chicago: "Billy Pearson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/billy-pearson/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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