Gordon Wynnivo Jones (April 5, 1912 – June 20, 1963) was an American

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

, a member of John Wayne's informal acting company best known for playing

Lou Costello Louis Francis Cristillo (March 6, 1906 – March 3, 1959), professionally known as Lou Costello, was an American comedian, actor and producer. He was best known for his double act with straight man Bud Abbott and their routine " Who's on First? ...

's TV nemesis "Mike the Cop" and appearing as

The Green Hornet The Green Hornet is a superhero created in 1936 by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, with input from radio director James Jewell. Since his 1930s radio debut, the character has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of med ...

in the first of two movie serials based on that

old-time radio The Golden Age of Radio, also known as the old-time radio (OTR) era, was an era of radio in the United States where it was the dominant electronic home entertainment medium. It began with the birth of commercial radio broadcasting in the earl ...

program.

Career

Iowa-born Jones had been a student athlete and star football guard ("Bull" Jones) at

University of California, Los Angeles The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the Californ ...

, and had also played a few seasons of professional football. He started out playing small roles in Wesley Ruggles' and

Ernest B. Schoedsack Ernest Beaumont Schoedsack (June 8, 1893 – December 23, 1979) was an American motion picture cinematographer, producer, and director. Schoedsack worked as a cameraman in World War I, where he served in the Signal Corps. At the conclusion o ...

's ''

The Monkey's Paw "The Monkey's Paw" is a horror short story by English author W. W. Jacobs, first published in the collection '' The Lady of the Barge'' in 1902. In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of The Monkey's Paw, but the wishes come with ...

'' (1933), his first credited role in

Sam Wood Samuel Grosvenor Wood (July 10, 1883 – September 22, 1949) was an American film director and producer who is best known for having directed such Hollywood hits as '' A Night at the Opera'', '' A Day at the Races'', '' Goodbye, Mr. Chips'', '' ...

's '' Let 'Em Have It'' (1935), and

Sidney Lanfield Sidney Lanfield (April 20, 1898 – June 20, 1972) was an American film director known for directing romances and light comedy films and later television programs. The one-time jazz musician and vaudevillian star started his first directing job ...

's '' Red Salute'' (1935). By 1937, he had moved on to a contract at

RKO Radio Pictures RKO Radio Pictures Inc., commonly known as RKO Pictures or simply RKO, was an American film production and distribution company, one of the "Big Five" film studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orph ...

. In 1940, Jones had the title role in ''

'' but did not reprise the role in the sequel. Jones held a reserve commission in the Army and was called into the service after filming his roles as "The Wreck" in ''

My Sister Eileen ''My Sister Eileen'' is a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney, originally published in ''The New Yorker'', which eventually inspired many other works: her 1938 book ''My Sister Eileen'', a play, a musical, a radio play (an ...

'' (1942) and "Alabama Smith" in ''

Flying Tigers The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was formed to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China. Operating in 1941–1942, it was composed of pilots from the United States ...

'' (1942), a

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Go ...

vehicle that was one of the most popular action films of the war. This picture began Jones' 20-year onscreen association with Wayne, who was also a former football player at the

University of Southern California , mottoeng = "Let whoever earns the palm bear it" , religious_affiliation = Nonsectarian—historically Methodist , established = , accreditation = WSCUC , type = Private research university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $8.1 ...

. Jones remained associated with the service after the war, encouraging college students to consider the

Reserve Officers' Training Corps The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC ( or )) is a group of college- and university-based officer-training programs for training commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces. Overview While ROTC graduate officers serve in a ...

. After resuming his acting career in the late 1940s, Jones appeared in prominent roles in the John Wayne features ''

Big Jim McLain ''Big Jim McLain'' is a 1952 American film noir political thriller film starring John Wayne and James Arness as HUAC investigators hunting down communists in the postwar Hawaii organized-labor scene. Edward Ludwig directed. This was the fir ...

'' (1952) and '' Island in the Sky'' (1953). By the end of the 1940s, Jones had aged into a beefier screen presence and into very physical character roles. He was no longer a leading man but he had developed a comic villain persona which meshed with the work of

Bud Abbott William Alexander "Bud" Abbott (October 2, 1897 – April 24, 1974) was an American comedian, actor and producer. He was best known as the straight man half of the comedy duo Abbott and Costello. Early life Abbott was born in Asbury Park, New J ...

and

. Jones' association with the duo began in '' The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap'' (1947) with the role of the film's heavy, Jake Frame, and continued through their television series '' The Abbott and Costello Show''. Jones played "Mike the Cop", Costello's hulking, loud-voiced antagonist. The program was produced for only two seasons, but ensured continued recognition for Jones via frequent reruns and a 21st Century DVD release. Jones also remained busy in films and on television throughout the 1950s, in pictures that ranged from the sci-fi chiller '' The Monster That Challenged the World'' to the Tony Curtis/

Janet Leigh Jeanette Helen Morrison (July 6, 1927 – October 3, 2004), known professionally as Janet Leigh, was an American actress, singer, dancer, and author. Her career spanned over five decades. Raised in Stockton, California, by working-class parents, ...

sex comedy ''

The Perfect Furlough ''The Perfect Furlough'' is a 1958 American CinemaScope Eastmancolor romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and written by Stanley Shapiro. Edwards and Shapiro would re-team the following year for another Tony Curtis service comedy, '' O ...

'', and on TV series ranging from ''

The Real McCoys ''The Real McCoys'' is an American situation comedy starring Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan. Co-produced by Danny Thomas's Marterto Productions in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus's Westgate Compan ...

'' to ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television program starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The sho ...

''. In 1956 Jones appeared as C. R. Tatum in the western TV series ''

Cheyenne The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enr ...

'' on the episode titled "The Last Train West." Jones also appeared in two very successful Disney movies during the early '60s, '' The Absent-Minded Professor'' and ''

Son of Flubber ''Son of Flubber'' is a 1963 American science fiction comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney Productions. The sequel to ''The Absent-Minded Professor'' (1961), Fred MacMurray reprises his role from the first film as N ...

''. He played harried school coaches in both pictures. He also starred with Mitzi Green and

Virginia Gibson Virginia Gibson (born Virginia Gorski; April 9, 1925 – April 25, 2013) was an American dancer, singer and actress of film, television and musical theatre. Early years Of Polish and Irish lineage, Gibson was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jo ...

in the short-lived TV sitcom ''So This Is Hollywood'' (1955), and had a recurring role as neighbor Butch Barton during the early years of ''

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet'' is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from October 3, 1952, to April 23, 1966, and starred the real-life Nelson family. After a long run on radio, the show was brought to television, where it ...

'' Jones returned to the John Wayne stock company portraying Douglas, the bureaucrat antagonist to Wayne's G.W. McLintock in the Western comedy ''

McLintock! :''See also McClintock (disambiguation)'' ''McLintock!'' is a 1963 American Western comedy film, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. The film co-stars Wayne's son Patrick Wayne, Stefanie Powers, Jack Kr ...

'' (1963). Jones unexpectedly succumbed to a heart attack on June 12, 1963, five months before the release of that movie. Jones has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the West side of the 1600 block of Vine Street.

Selected filmography

* '' Cimarron'' (1931) - Teamster (uncredited) * '' Wild Girl'' (1932) - Vigilante (uncredited) * ''

'' (1933) - Soldier (uncredited) * '' Car 99'' (1935) - Mechanic (uncredited) * '' Let 'Em Have It'' (1935) - Tex * '' Red Salute'' (1935) - Michael (Lefty) Jones * ''

Strike Me Pink "Strike Me Pink" is a song by American singer-songwriter Debbie Harry, released in 1993 as the second single from her fourth solo album, '' Debravation'' (1993). The song was written by Harry, Anne Dudley and Jonathan Bernstein, and produced by ...

'' (1936) - Butch Carson * '' Captain Calamity'' (1936) - Henchman (uncredited) * '' Devil's Squadron'' (1936) - Tex * '' Walking on Air'' (1936) - Joe * ''

Don't Turn 'Em Loose ''Don't Turn 'Em Loose'' is a 1936 American crime drama film directed by Ben Stoloff and produced by RKO Radio Pictures, who released the film on September 18, 1936. Written by Harry Segall and Ferdinand Reyher, the production’s screenplay is ...

'' (1936) - Joe Graves * '' Night Waitress'' (1936) - Martin Rhodes * ''

We Who Are About to Die ''We Who Are About to Die'' is a 1937 film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Preston Foster, Ann Dvorak Ann Dvorak (born Anna McKim; August 2, 1911 – December 10, 1979) was an American stage and film actress. Asked how to pronounc ...

'' (1937) - Slim Tolliver * '' They Wanted to Marry'' (1937) - Jim * '' Sea Devils'' (1937) - Puggy * ''

China Passage ''China Passage'' is a 1937 American mystery film directed by Edward Killy from a screenplay by Edmund L. Hartmann and J. Robert Bren, based on a story by Taylor Caven. RKO Radio Pictures produced the film, which stars Constance Worth, Vinton ...

'' (1937) - Joe Dugan * '' There Goes My Girl'' (1937) - Reporter Dunn * '' Forlorn River'' (1937) - Lem Watkins (uncredited) * '' The Big Shot'' (1937) - Chester 'Chet' Scott * ''

Fight for Your Lady ''Fight for Your Lady'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and written by Ernest Pagano, Harry Segall and Harold Daniel Kusel. The film stars John Boles, Jack Oakie, Ida Lupino, Margot Grahame, Gordon Jones, Erik Rho ...

'' (1937) - Mike Scanlon * ''

Quick Money ''Quick Money'' is a 1937 film. It lost $37,000. Plot summary Cast * Fred Stone as Mayor Jonas Tompkins * Gordon Jones as Bill Adams * Dorothy Moore as Alice Tompkins * Berton Churchill as Bluford H. Smythe * Paul Guilfoyle as Ambrose Ames * H ...

'' (1937) - Bill Adams * ''

Night Spot ''Night Spot'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Christy Cabanne and written by Lionel Houser. The film stars Harry Parke, Allan Lane, Gordon Jones, Joan Woodbury, and Lee Patrick. The film was released on February 25, 1938, by RKO Pi ...

'' (1938) - Riley * ''

Rich Man, Poor Girl ''Rich Man, Poor Girl'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Reinhold Schünzel and starring Robert Young, Ruth Hussey and Lew Ayres. The film is a remake of the 1929 film '' The Idle Rich''. This was Lana Turner's second appearance as an M ...

'' (1938) - Tom Grogan * ''

I Stand Accused ''I Stand Accused'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by John H. Auer and written by Gordon Kahn and Alex Gottlieb. The film stars Robert Cummings, Helen Mack, Lyle Talbot, Thomas Beck, Gordon Jones and Robert Paige. The film was rel ...

'' (1938) - Blackie * ''

Out West with the Hardys ''Out West with the Hardys'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by George B. Seitz and the fifth film in the Andy Hardy series of sixteen films. Premise Judge Hardy gets a request to help out an old friend so he takes his family on a holid ...

'' (1938) - Ray Holt * '' Long Shot'' (1939) - Jeff Clayton * '' Pride of the Navy'' (1939) - Joe Falcon * ''

Big Town Czar ''Big Town Czar'' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by Arthur Lubin starring Barton MacLane and Tom Brown. Plot New York City newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan relates the story of crime boss Phil Daley's rise and fall. To the disappointm ...

'' (1939) - Chuck Hardy (uncredited) * '' Invitation to Happiness'' (1939) - Dutch Arnold (uncredited) * ''

Grand Jury Secrets ''Grand Jury Secrets'' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by James P. Hogan and written by Irving Reis, Maxwell Shane and Robert Yost. The film stars John Howard, Gail Patrick, William Frawley, Jane Darwell, Porter Hall and Harvey Stephens ...

'' (1939) - Billy Hargraves (uncredited) * '' When Tomorrow Comes'' (1939) - Radio Technician (uncredited) * ''

Disputed Passage ''Disputed Passage'' is a 1939 American drama war film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Dorothy Lamour, Akim Tamiroff, John Howard, Judith Barrett and William Collier, Sr. Set in war-torn China, the film was described by ''The New York Ti ...

'' (1939) - Bill Anderson * ''

Henry Goes Arizona ''Henry Goes Arizona'' is a 1939 American Western film starring Frank Morgan Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for hi ...

'' (1939) - Tug Evans (uncredited) * ''

'' (1940, Serial) - Britt Reid / The Green Hornet * ''

The Doctor Takes a Wife ''The Doctor Takes a Wife'' is a 1940 screwball comedy film starring Loretta Young and Ray Milland as a best-selling author and medical school instructor, respectively, who find it convenient to pretend to be married, even though they initially l ...

'' (1940) - O'Brien * '' I Take This Oath'' (1940) - Steve Hanagan * '' Up in the Air'' (1940) - Tex * ''

Girl from Havana ''Girl from Havana'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Lew Landers and written by Malcolm Stuart Boylan and Karl Brown. The film stars Dennis O'Keefe, Claire Carleton, Victor Jory, Steffi Duna, Gordon Jones and Bradley Page. The film was ...

'' (1940) - Tubby Waters * '' Texas Rangers Ride Again'' (1940) - Ranger Radio Man (uncredited) * '' Reaching for the Sun'' (1941) - Sailor (uncredited) * '' The Blonde from Singapore'' (1941) - 'Waffles' Billings * '' You Belong to Me'' (1941) - Robert Andrews * '' The Feminine Touch'' (1941) - Rubber-Legs Ryan * ''

Among the Living ''Among the Living'' is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released on March 16, 1987, by Megaforce Records in the US and by Island Records in the rest of the world. The album is dedicated to Cliff Burton of Me ...

'' (1941) - Bill Oakley * '' True to the Army'' (1942) - Pvt. Dugan * '' To the Shores of Tripoli'' (1942) - Military Policeman at Main Gate (uncredited) * ''

They All Kissed the Bride ''They All Kissed the Bride'' is a 1942 American screwball comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and starring Joan Crawford and Melvyn Douglas. The plot follows a trucking firm executive who falls in love. Crawford took over the title role a ...

'' (1942) - Taxi Driver (uncredited) * ''

'' (1942) - 'The Wreck' Loomis * ''

Highways by Night ''Highways by Night'' is a 1942 American crime drama film directed by Peter Godfrey from a screenplay by Lynn Root and Frank Fenton, based on the story ''Silver Spoon'', by Clarence Budington Kelland. The film stars Richard Carlson and Jane ...

'' (1942) - 'Footsy' Fogarty * ''

'' (1942) - Alabama Smith * ''

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo ''Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo'' is a 1944 American war film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay by Dalton Trumbo is based on the 1943 book of the same name by Captain Ted W. Lawson. Lawson was a pilot on the historic Doolittle Raid, ...

'' (1944) * ''

Buffalo Bill William Frederick Cody (February 26, 1846January 10, 1917), known as "Buffalo Bill", was an American soldier, bison hunter, and showman. He was born in Le Claire, Iowa Territory (now the U.S. state of Iowa), but he lived for several years ...

'' (1944) - Trooper (uncredited) * '' Youth Runs Wild'' (1944) - Truck Driver (uncredited) * '' Wanderer of the Wasteland'' (1945) - Sheriff (uncredited) * '' The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'' (1947) - Tubby Wadsworth * '' The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap'' (1947) - Jake Frame * '' A Foreign Affair'' (1948) - Military Policeman * '' Sons of Adventure'' (1948) - Andy Baldwin * '' Black Eagle'' (1948) - Benjy Laughton * '' The Untamed Breed'' (1948) - Happy Keegan * ''

Take Me Out to the Ball Game "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a 1908 Tin Pan Alley song by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer which has become the unofficial anthem of North American baseball, although neither of its authors had attended a game prior to writing the song ...

'' (1949) - Senator Catcher (uncredited) * ''

Mr. Soft Touch ''Mr. Soft Touch'' is a 1949 American film noir crime film directed by Gordon Douglas and Henry Levin and starring Glenn Ford and Evelyn Keyes. The film is also known as ''House of Settlement''. Plot Polish American Joe Miracle (Mirakowski) re ...

'' (1949) - Muggles (uncredited) * '' Easy Living'' (1949) - Bill Holloran * '' Black Midnight'' (1949) - Roy * '' Tokyo Joe'' (1949) - Idaho * ''

Dear Wife ''Dear Wife'' is a 1949 comedy film starring Joan Caulfield and William Holden. It is the sequel to ''Dear Ruth'', which was based on the Broadway play of the same name by Norman Krasna. Plot Miriam Wilkins is a teenage girl who is campaigning ...

'' (1949) - Taxi Cab Driver * ''

Bodyhold ''Bodyhold'' is a 1949 American crime film noir sport film directed by Seymour Friedman and starring Willard Parker, Lola Albright, and Hillary Brooke. Premise Tommy Jones, a well-built plumber, is invited to join a troupe of wrestlers, but is s ...

'' (1949) - Pat Simmons * ''

Belle of Old Mexico ''Belle of Old Mexico'' is a 1950 American Trucolor comedy film directed by Robert G. Springsteen starring Estelita Rodriguez, Robert Rockwell and Dorothy Patrick. The film was successful at the box office, impressing the bosses at Republic Pic ...

'' (1950) - Tex Barnet * '' The Palomino'' (1950) - Bill Hennessey * '' The Arizona Cowboy'' (1950) - I.Q. Barton * ''

Trigger, Jr. '' Trigger, Jr.'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers, his horse Trigger, and Dale Evans. It was one of a series of Roy Rogers films produced by Republic Pictures. Plot Cast *Roy Rogers *Dale E ...

'' (1950) - Splinters McGonagle * '' Big Timber'' (1950) - Jocko * ''

Sunset in the West '' Sunset in the West '' is a 1950 American Trucolor Western film produced by Republic Pictures, directed by William Witney, and starring the "King of the Cowboys" Roy Rogers and his palomino Trigger, promoted as "The Smartest Horse in the Movi ...

'' (1950) - Splinters McGonagle * '' North of the Great Divide'' (1950) - Splinters McGonigle * '' Trail of Robin Hood'' (1950) - Splinters McGonigle * '' Spoilers of the Plains'' (1951) - Splinters McGonigle * '' Heart of the Rockies'' (1951) - Splinters McGonigle * '' Corky of Gasoline Alley'' (1951) - Elwood Martin * '' Yellow Fin'' (1951) - Breck * ''

The Marrying Kind ''The Marrying Kind'' is a 1952 comedy-drama film directed by George Cukor, starring Judy Holliday and Aldo Ray. Other cast members include John Alexander, Charles Bronson, Peggy Cass, Barry Curtis, Tom Farrell, Frank Ferguson, Ruth Gordon (w ...

'' (1952) - Steve (uncredited) * '' Gobs and Gals'' (1952) - CPO Mike Donovan * '' Sound Off'' (1952) - Sgt. Crockett * '' The Winning Team'' (1952) - George Glasheen * ''

'' (1952) - Olaf * ''Wagon Team'' (1952) - Marshal Sam Taplin * ''

Woman They Almost Lynched ''Woman They Almost Lynched'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Allan Dwan and written by Steve Fisher. The film stars John Lund, Brian Donlevy, Audrey Totter, Joan Leslie, Ben Cooper, James Brown and Nina Varela. The film was rele ...

'' (1953) - Yankee Sergeant * '' Island in the Sky'' (1953) - Walrus * ''

Take the High Ground! ''Take the High Ground!'' is a 1953 American war film directed by Richard Brooks and starring Richard Widmark and Karl Malden as drill sergeants who must transform a batch of everyday civilians into soldiers during the Korean War. Plot In May 195 ...

'' (1953) - Moose (uncredited) * '' The Outlaw Stallion'' (1954) - Wagner * '' Treasure of Ruby Hills'' (1955) - Jack Voyle * ''

Smoke Signal The smoke signal is one of the oldest forms of long-distance communication. It is a form of visual communication used over a long distance. In general smoke signals are used to transmit news, signal danger, or to gather people to a common area ...

'' (1955) - Cpl. Rogers * ''

Spring Reunion ''Spring Reunion'' is a 1956 American drama film that centers on the fifteen-year reunion of the fictional Carson High School class of 1941. It was the second film produced by Kirk Douglas' film production company Bryna Productions. ''Spring Re ...

'' (1957) - Jack Frazer * '' Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend'' (1957) - Pvt. Wilbur 'Will' Clegg * '' The Monster That Challenged the World'' (1957) - Sheriff Josh Peters * '' Live Fast, Die Young'' (1958) - Pop Winters * ''

'' (1958) - 'Sylvia', MP #1 * '' The Shaggy Dog'' (1959) - Captain Scanlon, Police Chief * ''

Battle Flame ''Battle Flame'' is a 1959 American war film directed by R. G. Springsteen and written by Elwood Ullman. The film stars Scott Brady, Elaine Edwards, Robert Blake, Wayne Heffley, Gordon Jones and Ken Miller. The film was released on July 26, 19 ...

'' (1959) - Sgt. McKelvey * ''

The Big Fisherman ''The Big Fisherman'' is a 1959 American historical drama film directed by Frank Borzage about the life of Simon Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus. Starring Howard Keel, Susan Kohner and John Saxon, the production is adapted from the 194 ...

'' (1959) - Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

Battle of the Coral Sea The Battle of the Coral Sea, from 4 to 8 May 1942, was a major naval battle between the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and naval and air forces of the United States and Australia. Taking place in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, the batt ...

'' (1959) - Torpedoman Bates * '' The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond'' (1960) - Sgt. Joe Cassidy * '' Master of the World'' (1961) - Rutland Basketball Coach (uncredited) * '' The Absent-Minded Professor'' (1961) - Rutland Coach (uncredited) * ''

(1963) - Rutland Coach (uncredited) * ''

'' (1963) - Matt Douglas (final film role)

References

Notes

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Gordon 1912 births 1963 deaths Male actors from Iowa People from Hardin County, Iowa 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male telenovela actors RKO Pictures contract players UCLA Bruins football players