Jess Kirkpatrick | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kirkpatrick inD.O.A (1949) | |
| Born | Jesse Bertram Kirkpatrick (1897-10-02)October 2, 1897 |
| Died | August 9, 1976(1976-08-09) (aged 78) La Jolla, California, U.S. |
| 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]
Kirkpatrick was born inChampaign County, Illinois.[1] He attended theUniversity of Illinois, where he played as ahalfback infootball in the 1920s.[1] Kirkpatrick was named inWalter Eckersall's All-American team and infootball coachRobert Zuppke’s all-time backfield.[1]
Kirkpatrick supported himself at University by playing as ajazz dummer in a student band.[1] He was also a singer,[4] appearing withEarl Burtnett’s orchestra in 1931,[5] and as a singer andmaster of ceremonies with Harold Stokes on theWGN radio showMelodies from the Sky.[6]
Kirkpatrick worked as an announcer for theradio broadcasting stationWGN for ten years.[1][7] Kirkpatrick moved to Hollywood, California,[7] starting his screen career playing a broadcaster in the 1946 filmMy Dog Shep.[8] He also played Patrick Riley in the 1949 filmThe Judge.[8] Kirkpatrick played as abartender for five episodes in thewestern television seriesJohnny Ringo.[citation needed]
Kirkpatrick appeared in films such asD.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 andA Millionaire for Christy.[8] He also guest-starred in numerous television programs includingGunsmoke,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 andThe Beverly Hillbillies.[9] His final credit was in the television seriesMayberry R.F.D. in 1969.[9]
Kirkpatrick died in August 1976 of a heart attack while playinghandball with three doctors inLa Jolla, California, at the age of 78.[1]
