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James Dobson
Broadway headshot, circa 1940
Born
James McAmis Dobson

(1920-10-02)October 2, 1920
Greeneville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedDecember 6, 1987(1987-12-06) (aged 67)
OccupationActor
Years active1941–1987

James "Jimmy" Dobson (October 2, 1920 – December 6, 1987) was an American actor.[1] He appeared in numerous Broadway, film and television roles.[2] Metacritic stated that Dobson was a “supporting actor; he often played military men and appeared in many Westerns.”[3] He is best-known as Lieutenant Pudge McCabe in the John Wayne film Flying Leathernecks.[4] He was the dialogue director for the McMillan and Wife television series and also played various roles in a few of the episodes. He was Steward Anderson in The Love Boat TV series.[5]

Early life and education

The oldest child of Leta (nee McAmis) and Benjamin Dobson, James "Jimmy" Dobson was born in Greeneville, Tennessee on October 2, 1920. His father was a longtime postal employee for the city of Greeneville. James had a younger brother named John Dobson, who is also deceased. John was a librarian at the University of Tennessee.[6]

The Greeneville Sun stated that Dobson "played ball, loved to swim and loved to ride his bike." At an early age, Dobson realized that he had an innate ability to entertain people. He was an active participant in the Greeneville High School drama club. After graduation, he enrolled at Tusculum College, now known as Tusculum University. Dobson was in the college drama club. He was also in the drama club while attending the University of Tennessee. There, he won a trip to Hollywood. The Associated Press stated that "Dobson decided to become an actor after visiting Hollywood."[7]

Career

Before moving to Hollywood, Dobson first moved to New York City. There, he worked as a stage actor for Life with Father, The Firebrand of Florence and Mr. Adam. He was also a voice actor for radio shows, most notably as Archie Andrews.[8] He, along with Cy Walter and Richard Kollmar, wrote a song together, "I'll Never Tire of You".[9] It was recorded in New York City on November 12, 1941, by the Sam Donahue Orchestra as a RCA Victor - Bluebird 78 rpm single.[10] Dobson eventually moved to Hollywood after living in New York for a few years. He appeared in numerous film and television productions. He and John Wayne worked in a few films together. Dobson appeared with Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis in Hellcats of the Navy.[6][11]

Personal life

Dobson lived in California during his acting career but occasionally returned to his hometown of Greeneville to visit family and friends. The Greeneville Sun stated that "he liked to stroll along Main and Depot streets, meeting and talking to people. He also liked to bring friends along to visit the hills of East Tennessee."[6] Actress and dancer Ann Miller, who had dated Howard Hughes, Conrad Hilton, and Louis B. Mayer, was one of those friends.[12] Dobson and she were in a relationship for a while. She often accompanied him when he visited Greeneville. During one of the visits, the two went to a public pool in Greeneville wearing risqué swimsuits, which prompted the management to summon local law enforcement to have them peaceably removed from the premises.[6]

Death

Dobson died of a heart attack on December 6, 1987, at the age of 67.[13] He was cremated. The Greeneville Sun stated that "his ashes were scattered in the beloved surf below his seaside home."[6]

Filmography

Film and television
Year Title Role Notes
1950 The West Point Story Cadet
1951 On Moonlight Bay Army sergeant
1951 The Tanks Are Coming George 'Ike' Eisenhower
1951 Flying Leathernecks Pudge McCabe
1952 For Men Only Bartholomew "Beanie" Brown
1952 Okinawa Emerson
1953 Girls of Pleasure Island Marine
1954 I Love Lucy Pete Episode: "Ricky's Movie Offer"
1955 Cult of the Cobra Nick Hommel
1956 Friendly Persuasion Rebel soldier
1957 Hellcats of the Navy Ens. Bob Altman
1957 Gunsmoke Joe Harpe Episode: "Blood Money"
1958 Jet Attack Lt. Sandy Wilkerson
1960 The Great Impostor Sailor
1961 Armored Command Arab
1963 Captain Sindbad Iffritch
1963 Come Fly With Me Flight Engineer Teddy Shepard
1963 Miracle of the White Stallions Southern GI
1965 Harlow Counterman
1965 Mutiny in Outer Space Dr. Hoffman
1966 Country Boy George Washington Byrd
1968 Track of Thunder Bowser Smith
1969 The Undefeated Jamison
1969 A Dream of Kings Doctor
1971 What's the Matter with Helen? Cab driver
1974 Impulse Clarence
1985 St. Elsewhere Mr. Norton Episode: "Watch the Skies"

References

  1. ^ "Actor James Dobson, 67". Bangor Daily News. December 10, 1987. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  2. ^ "James Dobson". Internet Broadway Database. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  3. ^ "James Dobson". metacritic. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  4. ^ "James Dobson". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "James Dobson Papers". The University of Tennessee. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Massey, Tim (February 24, 2018). "Before Park, There Was Jimmy". The Greeneville Sun. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "Broadway and TV Actor James Dobson Dead at 67". The Associated Press. December 9, 1987. Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  8. ^ "Obituaries : Jimmy Dobson; Stage, TV Actor". Los Angeles Times. December 9, 1987. Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  9. ^ "JimmyDobson". AllMusic. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  10. ^ "I'll Never Tire of You". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  11. ^ "James Dobson". Aveleyman.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  12. ^ Reed, Rex (February 9, 2004). "She Never Stopped Dancing". Observer. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  13. ^ "Actor James Dobson Dead at 67". The New York Times. December 9, 1987. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Dobson_(actor)