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Jim Backus
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Biography
Jim Backus was one of the few actors to do it all, radio, Broadway, movies, television and cartoons. After attending prep school in his native Cleveland, Backus enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Art, to ply his trade. While waiting for parts, he did radio and became friends with such future notables as Garson Kanin and Keenan Wynn. Backus stuck it out and soon was doing motion pictures in addition to radio. He was typecast in roles as "rich types" but broke the mold when he portrayed James Dean's father in the classic "Rebel Without a Cause." With his career in full swing, he also tackled two roles that he would be best known for, Mr. Magoo in cartoons and Thurston Howell III, in "Gilligan's Island." After the show's run ended, he continued doing guest spots on television and movies, before passing away on July 3, 1989.
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Spouse
Henny Backus (1941 - July 3, 1989) (his death)
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Trivia
Interred at Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California, USA, Section D, #203.
One of his teacher's in grade school was Margaret Hamilton, who would later play Miss Gulch/The Wicked Witch, in "The Wizard of Oz."
Attended the Kentucky Military Academy. One of his classmates was future fellow actor, Victor Mature.
Used to work as a radio announcer in New York City.
When Backus was doing radio plays, one of his characters "Hubert Updyke III" would become the basis for "Thurston Howell III" in Gilligan's Island. |  |
