Advertisement
Advertisement
A photo of Henry Jones

Henry Jones 1912 - 1999

Henry Burk Bernard Jones was born on August 1, 1912 in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey United States, and died at age 86 years old on May 17, 1999 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. Henry Jones was buried at Cremated. Ashes given to his family.. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Henry Jones .
Henry Burk Bernard Jones
August 1, 1912
Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States
May 17, 1999
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States
Male
Looking for another Henry Jones?
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Henry.
Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.
Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...
Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Henry Burk Bernard Jones' History: 1912 - 1999

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.
  • Introduction

    FAMOUS ACTOR ON TELEVISION, ON BROADWAY, AND IN THE MOVIES. Henry Jones - Biography Born August 1, 1912 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA Died May 17, 1999 in Los Angeles, California, USA (fall) Birth Name Henry Burk Bernard Jones Henry Burk Jones was born in New Jersey and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Helen (Burk) and John Francis Xavier Jones, and the grandson of Pennsylvania Representative Henry Burk, a Prussian immigrant. He graduated from St. Joseph's College. His Broadway debut was in 1938 in Maurice Evans' "Hamlet" (Reynaldo and the second gravedigger). He served in the army in World War II. His highly-reviewed stage appearances included the murdered handyman in "The Bad Seed," which he reprised in the film version (The Bad Seed (1956)), and the part of Louis Howe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's confidant in Sunrise at Campobello (1960). Though very ordinary in appearance ("The casting directors didn't know what to do with me. I was never tall enough or good looking enough to play juvenile leads"), he had a long and varied career on Broadway, in many movies and on television. His parts included a wide range of second-string roles (ministers, judges, janitors), often with a dark and even frightening underside. His television career, which included over 150 appearances, began early, in 1950. Though his movies included such well-known titles as Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), 3:10 to Yuma (1957), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Grifters (1990), and Dick Tracy (1990) no doubt his most recognizable screen performance was in the brief role of the methodical, nearly cruel coroner in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958). He lived in Santa Monica, CA, and died 17 May 1999, aged 86, at the UCLA Medical Center. Spouse (2) Judith Johnston (Judy Briggs) (26 June 1948 - March 1961) (divorced) (2 children) Yvonne Sarah Bernhardt Buerger (Yvonne Bergere) (14 January 1942 - 28 November 1942) (her death) Trivia (6) He was a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock. Father of Jocelyn Jones. Won Broadway's 1958 Tony Award for Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "Sunrise at Campobello." Jones amassed a considerable stage resume. He was active on Broadway as early as 1931, working there rather infrequently until late 1938 when his appearance there began to increase. He continued to appear on Broadway in numerous hit productions ("My Sister Eileen," "The Solid Gold Cadillac," "The Bad Seed," "Sunrise at Campobello," and "Advise and Consent") until 1961 when he moved into film and TV work exclusively. Grandfather of Samantha Watkins.
  • 08/1
    1912

    Birthday

    August 1, 1912
    Birthdate
    Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey United States
    Birthplace
  • Early Life & Education

    He graduated from St. Joseph's College.
  • Religious Beliefs

    Catholic.
  • Military Service

    As a private in the Army during World War II, he appeared in Irving Berlin's ''This Is the Army.'' I posted a photo of him in his Army Uniform that his daughter Jocelyn had on her website.
  • Professional Career

    His Broadway debut was in 1938 in Maurice Evans' "Hamlet" (Reynaldo and the second gravedigger). He served in the army in World War II. His highly-reviewed stage appearances included the murdered handyman in "The Bad Seed," which he reprised in the film version (The Bad Seed (1956)), and the part of Louis Howe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's confidant in Sunrise at Campobello (1960). Though very ordinary in appearance ("The casting directors didn't know what to do with me. I was never tall enough or good looking enough to play juvenile leads"), he had a long and varied career on Broadway, in many movies and on television. His parts included a wide range of second-string roles (ministers, judges, janitors), often with a dark and even frightening underside. His television career, which included over 150 appearances, began early, in 1950. Though his movies included such well-known titles as Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), 3:10 to Yuma (1957), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Grifters (1990), and Dick Tracy (1990) no doubt his most recognizable screen performance was in the brief role of the methodical, nearly cruel coroner in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958).
  • Personal Life & Family

    FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR Breathing Lessons (6-Feb-1994) Mastergate (1-Nov-1992) The Grifters (14-Sep-1990) · Simms Arachnophobia (18-Jul-1990) · Dr. Sam Metcalf Dick Tracy (15-Jun-1990) · Night Clerk Enid Is Sleeping (25-May-1990) Balboa (1986) Deathtrap (19-Mar-1982) · Porter Milgrim Nine to Five (19-Dec-1980) · Hinkle Letters from Three Lovers (3-Oct-1973) The Outfit (Oct-1973) · Doctor Tom Sawyer (14-Mar-1973) · Mr. Dobbins The Letters (6-Mar-1973) Pete 'n' Tilly (17-Dec-1972) Napoleon and Samantha (19-Jul-1972) Skin Game (30-Sep-1971) · Sam Support Your Local Gunfighter (26-May-1971) · Ez Love Hate Love (9-Feb-1971) Dirty Dingus Magee (18-Nov-1970) · Rev. Green Rabbit, Run (Oct-1970) Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County (1-May-1970) · Hanson Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (23-Sep-1969) · Bike Salesman Rascal (11-Jun-1969) Angel in My Pocket (2-Apr-1969) Support Your Local Sheriff (26-Mar-1969) · Henry Jackson Something for a Lonely Man (26-Nov-1968) Project X (May-1968) Stay Away, Joe (8-Mar-1968) · Hy Slager Champagne Murders (31-Mar-1967) Never Too Late (4-Nov-1965) · Dr. Jas. Kimbrough Angel Baby (14-May-1961) · Ben Hays The Bramble Bush (24-Feb-1960) Cash McCall (27-Jan-1960) · Gil Clark Vertigo (9-May-1958) · Coroner 3:10 to Yuma (7-Aug-1957) · Alex Potter Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (29-Jul-1957) · Rufus The Girl Can't Help It (1-Dec-1956) The Girl He Left Behind (26-Oct-1956) · Hanson The Bad Seed (12-Sep-1956) · Leroy The Lady Says No (6-Jan-1952)
  • 05/17
    1999

    Death

    May 17, 1999
    Death date
    Unknown
    Cause of death
    Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States
    Death location
  • Gravesite & Burial

    mm/dd/yyyy
    Funeral date
    Cremated. Ashes given to his family.
    Burial location
  • Obituary

    Henry Jones, 86, Familiar Face In Theater, Films and TV Roles Henry Jones, a Tony Award-winning character actor who had a long career on Broadway, in films and on television, died on Monday at U.C.L.A. Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 86 and lived in Santa Monica, Calif. Mr. Jones had a face as plain as his name. As his daughter, Jocelyn Jones Watkins, said yesterday, ''He looked like the everyday man, the guy next door.'' He blended into his roles as doctors, ministers, judges, janitors and sometimes murderers. Often his character was that of a mild-mannered man with a secret, the worm who turned; frequently that turn was toward the sinister. Although he was known for being reliable and highly professional, he could be overlooked, a member of a supporting cast. But when given the opportunity, he delivered memorable performances. Two of his most acclaimed stage appearances were in long-running Broadway shows in the 50's. In 1954 he was Leroy, the suspicious handyman murdered by the psychotic child played by Patty McCormack in ''The Bad Seed.'' Four years later he won his Tony as featured actor for his role as Louis Howe, the confidant of Franklin D. Roosevelt (Ralph Bellamy), in ''Sunrise at Campobello.'' He later repeated his ''Bad Seed'' role in the film version of that Maxwell Anderson play, and that led to many offers to play, in his words, ''psychoneurotic janitors.'' On screen, perhaps most significantly, he was the coroner in Alfred Hitchcock's ''Vertigo.'' In that film he had to deliver a four-minute monologue that later became celebrated as a cameo. He was a favorite of Hitchcock, who often cast him on his television show. His other films included ''Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?,'' ''3:10 to Yuma,'' ''Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,'' ''The Grifters'' and ''Dick Tracy.'' Beginning in 1949 he appeared in 350 television shows, including most of the major dramatic anthologies and series like ''The Defenders,'' ''Quincy M.E.'' and ''Murder, She Wrote.'' In 1994 he was in Anne Tyler's ''Breathing Lessons'' on Hallmark Hall of Fame. Mr. Jones was born in Philadelphia, where he graduated from St. Joseph's College. In the 1930's he acted at the Hedgerow Theater in Moylan, Pa., and made his Broadway debut in 1938 in Maurice Evans's ''Hamlet.'' He played Reynaldo and the Second Gravedigger, and by the end of the run worked his way to the First Gravedigger. He was also in Evans's production of ''Henry IV, Part Two,'' and in ''The Time of Your Life'' and ''My Sister Eileen.'' As a private in the Army during World War II, he appeared in Irving Berlin's ''This Is the Army.'' He also played Humpty Dumpty and the Mouse in Eva Le Gallienne's ''Alice in Wonderland'' and a Southern senator in ''Advise and Consent.'' He was in ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'' and ''They Knew What They Wanted,'' with Paul Muni. In addition to his daughter, of Santa Monica, he is survived by a son, David, of Arleta, Calif. As he approached 70, Mr. Jones recalled that because of his unprepossessing appearance he had had a difficult time at the beginning of his career. ''The casting directors didn't know what to do with me,'' he said. ''I was never tall enough or good-looking enough to play juvenile leads.'' But Mr. Jones seemed satisfied to be a character actor, and for 60 years he never stopped working.
  • share
    Memories
    below
Advertisement
Advertisement

15 Memories, Stories & Photos about Henry

Henry Jones
Henry Jones
A wonderful montage by Robert Dockery.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Henry Jones
Henry Jones
Served his country during World war II.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Henry Jones.
Henry Jones.
Famous Character Actor.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
I gave Joan Blondell a big tribute too. She was very nice to meet at THE ROPE DANCERS on Broadway.
Reply
Montage of Henry Jones's Career
Montage of Henry Jones's Career
Facebook Tribute.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Henry Jones
Henry Jones
Famous Character Actor.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
I met him in New York.
He was very pleased to be recognized, and I still have his autograph.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

Henry Jones' Family Tree & Friends

Henry Jones' Family Tree

Parent
Parent
Partner
Child
Sibling
Advertisement
Advertisement
Friendships

Henry's Friends

Friends of Henry Friends can be as close as family. Add Henry's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
Advertisement
Advertisement
2 Followers & Sources
Loading records
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Other Biographies

Other Henry Jones Biographies

Other Jones Family Biographies

Advertisement
Advertisement
Back to Top