Posted on 09/02/2015 5:28:09 PM PDT by massmike
Dean Jones, the go-to Disney actor whose films included "The Love Bug," "The Million Dollar Duck," "That Darn Cat!" and "The Shaggy D.A.," died Tuesday, according to his publicist. Jones was 84.
The cause of death was Parkinson's disease, according to publicist Richard Hoffman.
Jones made his film debut in 1956's "Somebody Up There Likes Me," which starred Paul Newman as boxer Rocky Graziano. The next year he appeared in the Elvis Presley movie "Jailhouse Rock."
He also starred on Broadway in such works as "There Was a Little Girl," with Jane Fonda, and the hit "Under the Yum-Yum Tree," also starring in the 1963 Jack Lemmon film.
Jones originated the performance of Bobby in the 1970 production of Stephen Sondheim's "Company."
Jones was born in Decatur, Alabama, in 1931. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. Later in life, the actor -- who had become a devout Christian after a drunken driving accident almost killed him -- founded Christian Rescue Committee, now known as Christian Rescue Fund. The organization works to "rescue persecuted Christians and Jews," according to its website.
Jones is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lory Basham Jones, three children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Great movie. “Canoe”, duck hunter extraordinaire “Gregory” (Roddy McDowall) and Mrs. McDougal (Elsa Lanchester) were hilarious.
Rest in peace, Dean Jones.
Thanks for the memories Dean Jones.
Rest in Peace.
Certainly iconic of an era of innocence.
Last time I saw him was in Other People’s Money.
This is sad stuff to read. Dean Jones was a staple growing up, back when Walt’s influence at Disney was still strong.
We are poorer for his passing.
Thank you Dean, for “Love Bug”, “Snowball Express”, “Million Dollar Duck”, and so many others.
Jimmy Dean made the sausage.
Big bad john! /off subject
RIP. The Love Bug and That Darn Cat were a couple of the very first movies I ever saw in a theater.
RIP
I was making a joke about common names. Dean Jones, Jimmy Dean, James Dean (star of Rebel Without a Cause). Guess it didn’t work. :-)
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