James Dobson (actor)
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James "Jimmy" Dobson (October 2, 1920 – December 6, 1987) was an American actor. He appeared in numerous
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...
, film, and television roles.
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stated that Dobson was a “supporting actor; he often played military men and appeared in many Westerns.” He is best-known as Lieutenant Pudge McCabe in the
John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...
film ''
Flying Leathernecks ''Flying Leathernecks'' is a 1951 American Technicolor action war film directed by Nicholas Ray, produced by Edmund Grainger (who had produced ''Sands of Iwo Jima''), and starring John Wayne and Robert Ryan. The movie details the exploits an ...
''. He was the dialogue director for the ''
McMillan and Wife ''McMillan & Wife'' (known simply as ''McMillan'' from 1976 to 1977) is an American police procedural television series that aired on NBC from September 17, 1971, to April 24, 1977. Starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the title roles, ...
'' television series and also played various roles in a few of the episodes. He was Steward Anderson in ''
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'' TV series.


Early life and education

The oldest child of Leta (nee McAmis) and Benjamin Dobson, James "Jimmy" Dobson was born in
Greeneville, Tennessee Greeneville is an incorporated town in and the county seat of Greene County, Tennessee, United States. The population as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census was 15,479. The town was named in honor of American Revolutionary War, Revol ...
, 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 The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (or The University of Tennessee; UT; UT Knoxville; or colloquially UTK or Tennessee) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee, United St ...
. ''
The Greeneville Sun ''The Greeneville Sun'' is a daily newspaper in Greeneville, Tennessee.http://www.greenevillesun.com/images/docs/mediaKit.pdf Overview The award-winning newspaper has a circulation of 14,390 for each of five weekday editions and 15,218 for the ...
'' 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 The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (or The University of Tennessee; UT; UT Knoxville; or colloquially UTK or Tennessee) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee, United St ...
. There, he won a trip to
Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood ...
.
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stated, "Dobson decided to become an actor after visiting Hollywood."


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 Archibald "Archie" Andrews, created in 1941 by publisher John L. Goldwater and artist Bob Montana in collaboration with writer Vic Bloom,
. He, along with Cy Walter and
Richard Kollmar Richard Tompkins "Dick" Kollmar (December 31, 1910 – January 7, 1971), was an American stage, radio, film and television actor, television personality and Broadway producer. Kollmar was the husband of journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. Early l ...
, wrote a song together, " I'll Never Tire of You". It was recorded in New York City on November 12, 1941, by the Sam Donahue Orchestra as a RCA Victor - Bluebird
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single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...
. Dobson eventually moved to Hollywood after living in New York City for a few years. He appeared in numerous film and television productions.
John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...
and he worked in a few films together. Dobson appeared with
Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...
and
Nancy Davis Nancy Davis Reagan (; born Anne Frances Robbins; July 6, 1921 – March 6, 2016) was an American film actress who was the first lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989, as the second wife of President Ronald Reagan. Reagan was born in ...
in ''
Hellcats of the Navy ''Hellcats of the Navy'' is a 1957 American black-and-white World War II submarine film drama from Columbia Pictures, produced by Charles H. Schneer and directed by Nathan Juran. The film stars Ronald Reagan and his wife, billed under her scree ...
''.


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 East Tennessee is one of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee defined in state law. Geographically and socioculturally distinct, it comprises approximately the eastern third of the U.S. state of Tennessee. East Tennessee consists of 33 coun ...
." Actress and dancer
Ann Miller Ann Miller (born Johnnie Lucille Collier; April 12, 1923 – January 22, 2004) was an American actress and dancer. She is best remembered for her work in the classical Hollywood cinema musical film, musicals of the 1940s and 1950s. Her early fi ...
, who had dated
Howard Hughes Howard Robard Hughes Jr. (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was an American Aerospace engineering, aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, and investor. He was The World's Billionaires, one of the richest and most influential peo ...
,
Conrad Hilton Conrad Nicholson Hilton (December 25, 1887 – January 3, 1979) was an American hotel magnate and politician who founded the Hilton Hotels chain. From 1912 to 1916, Hilton was a Republican representative in the first New Mexico Legislature ...
, and
Louis B. Mayer Louis Burt Mayer (; born Lazar Meir; July 12, 1884Mayer maintained that he was born in Minsk on July 4, 1885. According to Scott Eyman, the reasons may have been: * Mayer's father gave different dates for his birthplace at different times, so ...
, was one of those friends. 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.


Death

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


Filmography


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dobson, James 1920 births 1987 deaths American male film actors American male television actors American male voice actors People from Greeneville, Tennessee Tusculum, Tennessee 20th-century American male actors Male actors from Tennessee