Actor Dean Jones,
best known for his acting work in such Disney films as “The Love Bug” and “That
Darn Cat,” died of Parkinson’s disease Tuesday in Los Angeles . He was 84.
In addition to his
appearances in films such as “Under the Yum-Yum Tree,” “The Shaggy D.A.,” “The
Million Dollar Duck,” “Snowball Express,” “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo ” and “Beethoven,” Jones also had
roles in five Broadway shows and appeared in numerous television series and
specials. He appeared in 46 films over the course of his career.
The actor made his
Broadway debut in “There Was a Little Girl” with Jane Fonda in 1960, and went
on to star in Broadway’s “Under the Yum-Yum Tree” that same year, before
starring in the 1963 film adaptation with Jack Lemmon.
Jones’ other
Broadway credits include the original role of “Bobby” in Harold Prince/Stephen
Sondheim’s “Company,” and Cap’n Andy in a national tour of “Showboat.”
MGM signed Jones to
a contract, and he began with a small role in “Somebody Up There Likes Me.” He
later played a DJ in 1957 Elvis Presley movie “Jailhouse Rock.”
Other film credits
include “Any Wednesday,” “The New Interns,” “Never So Few,” “Other People’s
Money,” “When Every Day Was the Fourth of July,” “A Brush With Time” and Tom
Clancy’s “Clear and Present Danger.”
Jones was born in Decatur , Ala. ,
and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He attended Kentucky ’s
Asbury University , which awarded him an
honorary degree in 2002.
The actor was
inducted into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame in 1995.
Jones is survived
by his wife, writer Lory Basham Jones; three children, Caroline Jones, Deanna
Demaree and Michael Pastick; eight grandchildren; and three
great-grandchildren.
---- Extract from Variety
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