Jim Backus (February 25, 1913 – July 3, 1989)

This man conquered it all – Broadway, films, radio and television (both live and animation)… In 1937 he appeared in the Broadway productions Hitch Your Wagon and Too Many Heroes… In films he played James Dean’s father in Rebel Without a Cause (1955). He also played the original Joe Randolph in the film Here Come the Nelsons. The film would later lead to their long running television show; however Lyle Talbot took on the role of Joe Randolph. Starting in 1949 he began providing the voice of the beloved cartoon characters Mr. Magoo and Smokey the Genie in several productions. Eventually he became a staple on episodic television appearing on such shows as "To Tell the Truth", "The Bob Newhart Show", "The Match Game", "Pantomime Quiz", "What's My Line?", "I've Got a Secret", "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour", "The Joan Rivers Show", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In", "Password", "The Hollywood Squares", "Match Game 73", "The Mike Douglas Show", "Family Feud", "The Late Show", "Four Star Revue", "Climax!", "The Gale Storm Show", "Studio One", "Playhouse 90", "77 Sunset Strip", "The Untouchables", "Make Room for Daddy", "Maverick", "The Beverly Hillbillies", "The United States Steel Hour", "The DuPont Show of the Week", "Arrest and Trial", "Burke's Law", "Daniel Boone", "I Spy", "Blondie", "The Wild Wild West", "I Dream of Jeannie", "Love, American Style", "The Mod Squad", "Medical Center", "The Brady Bunch", "Marcus Welby, M.D.", "Chico and the Man", "Harry O", "Kolchak: The Night Stalker", "Gunsmoke", "Ellery Queen", "Police Story", "Charlie's Angels", "CHiPs", "Fantasy Island", "The Love Boat" and "Trapper John, M.D." On radio he made appearances on such shows as "The Jack Benny Program", "The Mel Blanc Show" and "Our Miss Brooks" as well as his own self titled program... In 1952 he began playing Judge Bradley Stevens on the domestic sitcom "I Married Joan" starring Joan Davis. He remained with the show until it ended in 1955. In 1964 he began playing the role that would lock him into television immortality. "Gilligan's Island" began in the fall of 1964 and it starred Bob Denver and Alan Hale in the lead roles with Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson, and Dawn Welles rounding out the cast. Thurston Howell III was the millionaire...and Natalie Schafer was his wife as the theme song states. Even though Natalie Schafer was thirteen years older and required make up and special lighting to hide it the chemistry was brilliant. "Gilligan's Island" ended in 1967 after three seasons... His final performance as Mr. Magoo came in 1977 and as Smokey the Genie in 1986. He and Natalie Schafer reunited in the late 1980's for a series of Orville Redenbacher Popcorn commercials reprises their roles as Thurston and Lovey Howell from "Gilligan's Island." Despite their advanced ages, frail appearance, and failing health both seemed to enjoy bringing their characters back to life... The star's widow Henny Backus passed away in 2004 at the age of 93. A former Broadway chorus girl she spent the years following her husband's passing keeping his memory and great work alive... In Memoriam Remembers: Jim Backus