James Thomas Dukas

Actor. He was best known for playing the character roles of deputies, sergeants, photographers, prison guards, truck drivers, coroners, and police officers. He will be best remembered for playing the role of the 'Neighbor' in the classic horror film, "The Amityville Horror" (1979). The film which was directed by Stuart Rosenberg, which was based on Jay Anson's book and which was written for the screen by Sandor Stern, and is based on the story of George Lutz and Kathy Lutz, and which also starred James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger, and Don Stroud, is based on a true story that was claimed by writer Jay Anson, The Amityville Horror is about a large house on the coast of Long Island, New York, where newlyweds George and Kathy Lutz and their three children move into the house that they hope will be their dream house which ends up in terror. Despite full disclosure by the real estate agent of the house's history, George and Kathy buy the house. George says, "Houses don't have memories," but they turn to their family priest Father Delaney who believes the house is haunted and performs an exorcism on the house. But satanic forces in the house causes him to become blind and makes him very sick. With the help of another priest Father Bolen and a police detective, George and Kathy face the fears of the house, but not knowing the forces are planning to possess George and then the children. He is also best remembered for playing the role of 'Carl Manning' in four episodes of the popular soap opera romance television series drama, "The Doctors," which originally aired in 1979. He was born one of two children as James Thomas Dukas in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Thomas J. Dukas (1894-1973), and his wife Christina Goudi Daglis Dukas (1900-1988), on June 6, 1925. He later moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1937, was educated locally, and attended Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, West Virginia, with future actor Paul Dooley and where he also met and became best friends with future actor and comedian Don Knotts. Ironically it was Don Knotts who helped him land his first job in a radio program at the age of fourteen while he was still in high school. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1944, and then attended college for one year. Following his education, he was drafted during World War II and was registered on June 7, 1943. He joined the United States Army with the rank of Private at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio, on September 26, 1946, and was discharged on June 4, 1947. He also served his country during the Korean War. During this time he became interested in acting and he pursued an acting career. He made his actual debut playing in the science fiction podcast series, "X Minus One," in two episodes entitled, "The Outer Limits," and "Shanghaied," which originally aired in 1955. Besides, playing the role of the 'Neighbor' in the classic horror film, "The Amityville Horror" (1979), his many other film credits include, "The St. Louis Bank Robbery" (1959), "Pretty Boy Floyd" (1960), "The Hustler" (1961), "No Way To Treat A Lady" (1968), "The Detective" (1968), "Coogan's Bluff" (1968), "The Rehearsal" (1974), "The Super Cops" (1974), "The Towering Inferno" (1974), "God Told Me To" (1976), "The Private Files Of J. Edgar Hoover" (1977), "Simon" (1980), "Brubaker" (1980), "See China And Die" (1981), "O'Malley" (1983), "The Stuff" (1985), and "Ironweed" (1987), with Jack Nicholson. Besides, playing in the science fiction podcast series, "X Minus One," in two episodes entitled, "The Outer Limits," and "Shanghaied," which originally aired in 1955, and playing the role of 'Carl Manning' in four episodes of the popular soap opera romance television series drama, "The Doctors," which originally aired in 1979, his many other television credits include, "Kraft Theatre," "Deadline," The Defenders," "Car 54, Where Are You?" "Armstrong Circle Theatre," "Naked City," "East Side/West Side," "For The People," "ABC Stage 67," "N.Y.P.D." "American Playhouse," and "Kennedy." He also appeared on Broadway in New York City, New York, in several stage productions of such plays as, 'Readymoney Matt' in "Threepenny Opera" (September 20, 1955, to December 17, 1961), as Kalbfuss' in "The Last Analysis" (October 01, 1964, to October 24, 1964), as 'Second Detective' in "Incident At Vichy" (December 03, 1964, to May 07, 1965), "The Country Wife" (December 09, 1965, to January 23, 1966), "The Condemned Of Altona (February 03, 1966, to March 13, 1966), "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" (March 24, 1966, to June 18, 1966), as 'Krojack' in "Don't Drink The Water" (November 17, 1966, to April 20, 1968), and as the 'Hotel Head Waiter' in "A Patriot For Me" (October 06, 1969, to November 15, 1969). His last film role was playing the role of 'Kostas' in the film drama, "Astoria" (2000). The film which was directed and written by Nick Efteriades, and which also starred Rick Stear, Ed Setrakian, Joseph D'Onofrio, and Paige Turco, tells a story set in the Queens, New York, neighborhood known as "Little Athens," Astoria centers around a blue-collar Greek-American family and its struggle to hold on to the American Dream. It follows the journey of 28-year-old Alex and his desire to escape his stagnant neighborhood and pursue an off-beat dream that will take him to the lost tomb of Alexander the Great. Alex must overcome his Old World-minded father's plans - expanding the family business, a small corner eatery, and contending with some local wiseguys intent on collecting his dad's gambling debt. When Alex becomes enchanted with a beautiful iconographer, visiting from Greece, things take another turn... He retired from acting shortly thereafter. He was also a member of the Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA and the Episcopal Actors Guild Organizations, the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel and Hardy Movie Club, and was a lifelong collector of classic silent movies, including Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Looney Tunes Cartoons, as well as an extensive collection of jazz and big band records. He passed away in New York City, New York, on December 13, 2008, at the age of 83, and he was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He was married to Elaine Lois Roberts Dukas from 1966 until his death. The couple had no children together.