Jim Backus Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Jim Backus
Publicity still of Backus for The Jim Backus Show, 1962
Born	James Gilmore Backus (1913-02-25)February 25, 1913 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Died	July 3, 1989(1989-07-03) (aged 76) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1948–1984
Known for	Gilligan's Island Rebel Without a Cause Mr. Magoo Rescue from Gilligan's Island The Castaways on Gilligan's Island The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island
Spouse(s)	Betty Kean (m. 1939; div. 1942) Henny Backus (m. 1943)
Awards	Hollywood Walk of Fame

James Gilmore Backus (born February 25, 1913 – died July 3, 1989) was a famous American actor. He was known for many roles in movies and TV shows. His most famous parts include Thurston Howell III on the 1960s TV show Gilligan's Island. He also played the father of James Dean's character in the movie Rebel Without a Cause. Many people also remember him as the voice of the cartoon character Mr. Magoo, who was very nearsighted.

Jim Backus was also a good golfer. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

Early Life
Acting Career
- Writing and Recording
- Television Commercials
Death
Images for kids
See also

Early Life

Jim Backus was born on February 25, 1913, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in Bratenahl, Ohio, a town near Lake Erie. He was the only son of Russell and Daisy Backus. He had an older sister named Katherine. Jim went to Shaw High School and later graduated from University School.

Acting Career

Jim Backus (center) with James Dean (right) in Rebel Without a Cause (1955).

Jim Backus started acting on the radio in 1940. He played a rich pilot named Dexter Hayes on a show called Society Girl. He had a long career in Hollywood for over 50 years. He often played characters who sounded fancy or from a wealthy family. This was a lot like his most famous role, Thurston Howell III, on Gilligan's Island.

He appeared in many movies, such as Deadline – U.S.A. (1951) with Humphrey Bogart. He was also in Pat and Mike (1952) with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. One of his well-known movie roles was in Rebel Without a Cause (1955). He also appeared in the comedy movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963).

Jim Backus was the voice of the cartoon character Mr. Magoo. Mr. Magoo was a rich, elderly man who could barely see but always managed to avoid trouble. Jim's wife, Henny Backus, shared a funny story. She said that Marilyn Monroe once asked Jim to do the Mr. Magoo voice for her. Jim was in a movie with Marilyn Monroe in 1952. She was very excited to hear him do the voice.

Jim Backus (left) in a guest role on The Beverly Hillbillies (1963).

He was also a regular on radio shows after World War II. He was on The Jack Benny Program and played a character named Hubert Updike on The Alan Young Show. From 1952 to 1955, he co-starred in the TV comedy I Married Joan. He played the husband of Joan Davis's character.

Jim Backus played Thurston Howell III on Gilligan's Island for all three seasons, from 1964 to 1967. He also returned for TV reunion movies like Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978). By the last movie in 1981, The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island, Jim was suffering from Parkinson's disease. His part in that movie was very small. He also voiced Thurston Howell III in two cartoon versions of the show. These were The New Adventures of Gilligan (1974-1977) and Gilligan's Planet (1982-1983).

He continued to voice Mr. Magoo in new cartoons from 1964 to 1977. These included The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo. Jim also appeared on The Brady Bunch in 1971. He played an old gold miner in one episode. He also played Mike Brady's boss in another episode.

In 1981, Jim and his wife Henny appeared on an episode of The Love Boat.

Writing and Recording

Jim Backus and his wife, Henny, in 1969.

Jim Backus and his wife, Henny Backus, wrote several funny books together. These included his autobiography, ...Only When I Laugh, and a memoir called Backus Strikes Back. They also wrote What Are You Doing After the ...?. Jim also helped write a family movie in 1971 called Mooch Goes to Hollywood. It was about a dog who wanted to become a movie star.

In the late 1950s, he released two fun songs on records, "Delicious" and "Cave Man". In 1974, he released a full comedy album called The Dirty Old Man. Jim also voiced God in a 1971 rock opera based on the Bible called Truth of Truths.

Television Commercials

Jim Backus appeared in many TV commercials. As Mr. Magoo, he helped advertise General Electric products. In the 1970s, he was also the spokesperson for La-Z-Boy furniture.

In the late 1980s, he appeared in a commercial for Orville Redenbacher's popcorn. He was with his Gilligan's Island co-star Natalie Schafer. They played their characters from the show, but they were in a fancy room instead of being shipwrecked. This was the last TV appearance for both actors.

Death

Jim Backus passed away on July 3, 1989, in Los Angeles. He died from problems related to pneumonia. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for many years.