American film and television actor (1897–1976)
Jess Kirkpatrick
Kirkpatrick in
D.O.A (1949)
Born Jesse Bertram Kirkpatrick
(1897-10-02 ) October 2, 1897Died August 9, 1976(1976-08-09) (aged 78) Alma mater University of Illinois Occupation(s) Film and television actor Spouse Ruth Kirkpatrick[ 1]
Jesse Bertram Kirkpatrick (October 2, 1897 – August 9, 1976)[ 2] was an American film and television actor.[ 3]
Life and career
Kirkpatrick was born in Champaign County, Illinois .[ 1] He attended the University of Illinois , where he played as a halfback in football in the 1920s.[ 1] Kirkpatrick was named in Walter Eckersall 's All-American team and in football coach Robert Zuppke ’s all-time backfield.[ 1]
Kirkpatrick supported himself at University by playing as a jazz dummer in a student band.[ 1] He was also a singer,[ 4] appearing with Earl Burtnett ’s orchestra in 1931,[ 5] and as a singer and master of ceremonies with Harold Stokes on the WGN radio show Melodies from the Sky .[ 6]
Kirkpatrick worked as an announcer for the radio broadcasting station WGN for ten years.[ 1] [ 7] Kirkpatrick moved to Hollywood, California,[ 7] starting his screen career playing a broadcaster in the 1946 film My Dog Shep .[ 8] He also played Patrick Riley in the 1949 film The Judge .[ 8] Kirkpatrick played as a bartender for five episodes in the western television series Johnny Ringo .[citation needed ]
Kirkpatrick appeared in films such as D.O.A. , The Captive City , Sweethearts on Parade , Star in the Dust , The Private War of Major Benson , Alaska Passage , Police Dog Story , Outside the Law , Somebody Up There Likes Me , The Moonlighter , The Mob , Man of a Thousand Faces , Day of the Badman , Ten North Frederick and A Millionaire for Christy .[ 8]
He also guest-starred in numerous television programs including Gunsmoke , Bonanza , The Fugitive , The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp , Petticoat Junction , Bachelor Father , Wagon Train , Perry Mason , Alfred Hitchcock Presents , McHale's Navy , The Real McCoys , Leave It to Beaver , Tales of Wells Fargo , Death Valley Days , 77 Sunset Strip , Man with a Camera and The Beverly Hillbillies .[ 9] His final credit was in the television series Mayberry R.F.D. in 1969.[ 9]
Death
Kirkpatrick died in August 1976 of a heart attack while playing handball with three doctors in La Jolla, California , at the age of 78.[ 1]
Selected Television
References
^ a b c d e f g "Jess Kirkpatrick dies, WGN figure, Illini back" . Chicago Tribune . Chicago, Illinois. August 13, 1976. p. 63. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Doyle, Billy; Slide, Anthony (1999). The Ultimate Directory of Silent and Sound Era Performers: A Necrology of Actors and Actresses . Scarecrow Press. p. 304. ISBN 9780810835474 – via Google Books .
^ "Best Of The Bunch" . Los Angeles Evening Citizen News . Hollywood, California. November 30, 1966. p. 6. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Jess Kirkpatrick to Take Ryan's Place 3 Weeks" . Chicago Tribune . Chicago, Illinois. August 23, 1936. p. 40. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Ladies And Gentlemen!" . Chicago Tribune . Chicago, Illinois. July 12, 1931. p. 22. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "On W-G-N" . Chicago Tribune . Chicago, Illinois. May 25, 1938. p. 15. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ a b "20 Yrs. in Hollywood for Jess Kirkpatrick" . Chicago Tribune . Chicago, Illinois. August 18, 1964. p. 46. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ a b c "Jess Kirkpatrick" . American Film Institute . Retrieved February 21, 2022 .
^ a b Fernades, David; Robinson, Dale (1999). A Guide to Television's Mayberry R.F.D. McFarland. p. 75. ISBN 9780786404261 – via Google Books .
External links