This article is about the American actor. For the U.S. Air Force general, seeJohn W. Doucette. For the 18th century lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, seeJohn Doucett.
John Arthur Doucette (January 21, 1921 – August 16, 1994) was an Americancharacter actor who performed in more than 280 film and television productions between 1941 and 1987. A man of stocky build who possessed a deep, rich voice, he proved equally adept at portraying characters inShakespearean plays,Westerns, and modern crime dramas. He is perhaps best remembered, however, for his villainous roles as a movie and television "tough guy".
John Doucette was born inBrockton, Massachusetts, the eldest of three children of Nellie S. (née Bishop) and Arthur J. Doucette.[2][3][4] During his childhood, his family moved frequently, as his father sought work during theGreat Depression. He completed grammar school inHaverhill, Massachusetts; graduated from Lincoln High School inLos Angeles, California; and later, in April 1943, he enlisted in theUnited States Army and served in Europe as an infantry rifleman duringWorld War II.[5][6][7] With regard to Doucette's early experience and training as an actor, he began to perform on stage at the age of 15 in plays at his high school.[1] He subsequently performed at thePasadena Playhouse before being cast inHollywood films in the early 1940s.[8]
Doucette's film debut, in an uncredited role as a reporter, was inFootsteps in the Dark in 1941.[citation needed] He appeared uncredited in at least two other movies before his budding film career was interrupted by his military service during World War II. Following his discharge, he resumed acting in Hollywood, where he soon began to receive more substantial, credited roles in releases by smaller production companies, such asThe Burning Cross andThe Road to the Big House for Somerset Pictures Corporation in 1947.[citation needed] Doucette continued to progress in obtaining dramatic roles for larger studios, including a small part as an architect inThe Fountainhead in 1949. His other notable performances include bit parts inHigh Noon,The Robe,Sierra, and the mega-budgetCleopatra. Doucette also appeared in theJohn Wayne filmsThe Sea Chase,The Sons of Katie Elder,True Grit, andBig Jake as well as portraying Gen.Lucian Truscott in the 1970 epicPatton.
Doucette portrayed a police lieutenant, Tom Gregory, on the television version ofBig Town.[9] Between 1959 and 1961, he also played Lieutenant Weston on the seriesLock-Up, Aaron William Andrews in the comedyThe Partners, and bounty hunter Lou Gore in the episode "Dead Aim" on the seriesColt .45[10]
Doucette was cast on television as theApache ChiefGeronimo for the 1958 episode "Geronimo" on theWestern seriesTombstone Territory. He was also cast in 1961 as Captain Cardiff inThe Americans, a 17-episode NBC series, starringDarryl Hickman, about how theAmerican Civil War divided families. In 1963 he played "Michael McGoo", a proud & lovable storytelling Irish sailor in the S6E26 edition ofWagon Train.
Doucette in 1948 married opera singer Katherine Sambles, with whom he had five daughters and three sons.[6][5] Katherine died in 1991; and three years later, on August 16, 1994, John died of cancer at age 73 at his home inBanning, California.[4] His mausoleum is atHoly Cross Cemetery inCulver City, California.[11]
Tombstone Territory As Geronimo in a laughable fiction. Plays pool in Tombstone and is chased by the town marshall, a deputy and 1 US Army man, a Lt. In this silliness Geronimo has a white squaw played by Angie Dickinson (1958)
Zorro – episode – Slaves of the Eagle – Antonio Azuela (uncredited) (1958)
The Rough Riders – episode – The Murderous Sutton Gang – Wes Sutton (1958)
^ab"California Death Index, 1940–1997" database, California Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento, California. FamilySearch. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
^abAaker, Everett (2011).Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters: All Regular Cast Members in American Crime and Mystery Series, 1948–1959. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. pp. 194–195.ISBN978-0-7864-6409-8.
^Terrace, Vincent (2011).Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 104.ISBN978-0-7864-6477-7.
^Wilson, Scott.Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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