Jesse Bertram Kirkpatrick (October 2, 1897 – August 9, 1976)[2] was an American film and television actor.[3]
Jess Kirkpatrick | |
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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 | Film and television actor |
Spouse | Ruth Kirkpatrick[1] |
Kirkpatrick was born in Champaign County, Illinois.[1] He attended at University of Illinois, where he earned popularity as a halfback in football, in the 1920s.[1] Kirkpatrick was a jazz dummer for which he worked in a student musical ensemble dance.[1] He was also a singer.[4] Kirkpatrick was a part of Walter Eckersall's team in football for which he was categorized in football coach, Robert Zuppke all-time backfield.[1] With his singing, he sang for musician, Earl Burtnett and his orchestra.[5] Kirkpatrick also sanged in master of ceremonies.[6]
Kirkpatrick worked as a radio announcer for the radio broadcasting station, WGN.[1][7] He was presented for at least ten years in radio programs, while he worked in WGN.[1] Kirkpatrick moved to Hollywood, California[7] to begin his film and television career in 1946, where he played the role of a broadcaster in the 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. In his career, he mainly appeared in films and television programs.[7]
Kirkpatrick co-starred and 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 from the television series Mayberry R.F.D., where he played Fred Summers in 1969.[9]
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]