Leo Gorcey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leo Gorcey
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Gorcey in 1945
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| Born |
Leo Bernard Gorcey
June 3, 1917 New York City, United States
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| Died | June 2, 1969 (aged 51) Oakland, California, United States
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1935–1969 |
| Spouse(s) |
Kay Marvis
(m. 1939; div. 1944)Evalene Bankston
(m. 1945; div. 1948)Amelita Ward
(m. 1949; div. 1956)Brandy Davis
(m. 1956; div. 1962)Mary Gannon
(m. 1968) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Bernard Gorcey Josephine Condon |
| Relatives | David Gorcey (brother) |
Leo Bernard Gorcey (born June 3, 1917 – died June 2, 1969) was an American actor. He was famous for playing the leader of a group of young characters. This group was known by different names, like the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids, and later, as adults, The Bowery Boys.
Gorcey was also known for using "malapropisms." This means he would use a word that sounded similar to the correct word but had a different meaning. For example, he might say "I depreciate it!" instead of "I appreciate it!"
Contents
Leo Gorcey's Early Life
Leo Gorcey was born in New York City on June 3, 1917. His mother, Josephine Condon, was an immigrant from Ireland. His father, Bernard Gorcey, was an immigrant from Russia. Both of his parents were actors in vaudeville, which was a type of live entertainment.
Leo's parents were both quite short. His father was about 4 feet 10 inches tall, and his mother was about 4 feet 11 inches tall. Leo grew to be about 5 feet 6 inches tall as an adult.
Starting His Acting Career
In the 1930s, Leo's father worked in theater and movies away from home. When he came back in 1935, he and Leo's younger brother, David Gorcey, convinced Leo to try out for a play. Leo had just lost his job as a plumber's helper. He wanted to be an actor like his father.
Leo and David Gorcey got small roles in a play called Dead End. They played members of a street gang. Leo was originally an understudy for a character named Spit. When the original actor left, Leo took over the role. He created a character who was a bit of a troublemaker and always had a quick, funny remark.
Becoming a Film Star
In 1937, a movie producer named Samuel Goldwyn turned the popular play Dead End into a film. The six young actors, including Leo, moved to Hollywood. For the next 20 years, Leo Gorcey was a very busy actor.
He starred in many films:
- Seven Dead End Kids movies (1937–1939)
- 21 East Side Kids movies (1940–1945)
- 41 The Bowery Boys movies (1946–1955)
Developing His Character
In his early films, Leo played a tough, sarcastic character named Spit. He was always ready with a witty comeback. In the early 1940s, his movies became more comedic. Leo started using many malapropisms in his lines. He spoke with a strong Brooklyn accent.
For example, he would say "I regurgitate" instead of "I reiterate." He also said "optical delusion" instead of "optical illusion." A studio report even said that Leo spent time studying a dictionary. He became known for using unusual words or mispronouncing others in a funny way.
The Bowery Boys Series
In 1945, the producer of the East Side Kids series refused to pay Leo Gorcey more money. So, Leo left the series. His friend and fellow actor, Bobby Jordan, suggested they start a new series. This new series became The Bowery Boys.
Leo Gorcey owned a large part of the new series. He also brought his father, Bernard Gorcey, into the movies. His father played Louie Dumbrowski, the owner of a sweet shop where the boys often met. Leo's brother, David, also joined the gang in the films.
The Bowery Boys movies were very popular. Leo starred in four films each year until 1955. That year, his father passed away after a car accident. Leo was very sad and lost a lot of weight. He left the Bowery Boys series after demanding a pay raise that the studio would not give him. Another actor, Stanley Clements, took his place for the last seven films. However, Leo's brother David stayed with the series until it ended in 1957.
Later Acting Roles
Leo Gorcey acted very little in the 1960s. He had a small role in the 1963 comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He also appeared with his old friend Huntz Hall in two lower-budget films: Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar (1966) and The Phynx (1970). Leo also appeared in a TV commercial for a car in 1969.
Leo Gorcey's Autobiography
In 1967, Leo Gorcey wrote his own book about his life. It was called An Original Dead End Kid Presents: Dead End Yells, Wedding Bells, Cockle Shells, and Dizzy Spells. Only 1,000 copies were printed at first. It was printed again in 2004.
Family Life
In May 1939, Leo Gorcey married Kay Marvis, a 15-year-old dancer. She appeared in four of his movies. They divorced in 1944. Kay later married the famous comedian Groucho Marx.
Leo married actress Evalene Bankston in October 1945. They divorced two years later. In February 1949, Leo married actress Amelita Ward. They had two children, including Leo Gorcey Jr. They divorced in February 1956.
Later that year, Leo married Brandy Davis. They had a daughter named Brandy. They divorced in 1962. Leo Gorcey married Mary Gannon on July 12, 1968. She was his wife until he passed away.
Death
Leo Gorcey passed away on June 2, 1969, just one day before his 52nd birthday. He is buried in Molinos Cemetery in Los Molinos, California.
Legacy and Influence
Leo Gorcey's picture was supposed to be on the cover of The Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. However, he asked for money to use his image, so they removed him from the cover.
In 2003, Leo Gorcey Jr. wrote a book about his father called Me and the Dead End Kid. Another book about Leo's life, Leo Gorcey's Fractured World by Jim Manago, was published in 2017. This book looked closely at how Leo used malapropisms in his Bowery Boys films.
Images for kids
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Gorcey in the film Gallant Sons (1940)
See also
In Spanish: Leo Gorcey para niños
