Born: February 25, 1913 – Died: July 3, 1989
Jim Backus, born James Gilmore Backus on February 25, 1913, in Cleveland, Ohio, was a versatile actor who made his mark in various mediums of entertainment. From radio and Broadway to movies, television, and even cartoons, Backus showcased his talent across the board. After attending preparatory school in Cleveland, he pursued his passion for acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. While waiting for his breakthrough, he honed his skills in radio and forged friendships with future industry icons. Backus broke out of being typecast as "rich types" when he portrayed a father in the classic film "Rebel Without a Cause." He later became well-known for his iconic roles as Mr. Magoo in cartoons and Thurston Howell III in the beloved TV series "Gilligan's Island." Jim Backus continued to grace screens big and small, leaving an enduring legacy before his death on July 3, 1989.
Early Life and Career
Jim Backus had a relatively normal upbringing in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. After completing his education at a preparatory school, he decided to pursue his passion for acting and enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. It was during this time that he began to develop his skills in radio and made friends with future notable figures in the industry.
Backus's first professional role came in the medium of radio, where he honed his craft while waiting for opportunities in other mediums. He eventually transitioned into motion pictures and found success in portraying various "rich types" on screen. However, it was his role as James Dean's father in the 1955 classic film "Rebel Without a Cause" that broke the mold and showcased his versatility as an actor.
The role that catapulted Jim Backus into stardom was his portrayal of Thurston Howell III in the beloved TV series "Gilligan's Island," which ran from 1963 to 1967. His comedic timing and portrayal of the millionaire character made him a household name and solidified his place in pop culture.
Throughout his career, Backus received recognition for his talent, winning one award, a testament to his skill and contributions to the entertainment industry.
In his personal life, Jim Backus was married to his wife Henny for over 45 years, until his passing in 1989. They had one daughter together named Daryan. Backus had a passion for art and painting outside of his acting career.
Jim Backus' impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry is undeniable. He is considered an icon for his memorable roles, particularly as Mr. Magoo in cartoons and Thurston Howell III in "Gilligan's Island." His versatility and comedic talents left an enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Merrie Melodies: Starring Bugs Bunny and Friends (TV Series) | Smoky the Genie (voice) |
| 1986 | The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show (TV Series) | Smoky the Genie (voice) |
| 1984 | Prince Jack | Dealy |
| 1983 | Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series) | Gus |
| 1982 | Gilligan's Planet (TV Series) | Thurston Howell III (voice) |
| 1982 | Slapstick of Another Kind | President of the U.S. |
| 1978–1981 | The Love Boat (TV Series) | Mr. Landers | Mr. Marvin Waterman |
| 1981 | The Enchanted Journey | Gamun (voice) |
| 1981 | The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (TV Movie) | Thurston Howell III |
| 1980 | There Goes the Bride | Mr. Perkins |
| 1978–1980 | Fantasy Island (TV Series) | H.H. Moran | Cap Truman |
| 1980 | The Gossip Columnist (TV Movie) | Jim Backus |
| 1979 | C.H.O.M.P.S. | Mr. Gibbs |
| 1979 | Eischied (TV Series) | Sy Lazarus |
| 1979 | The Rebels (TV Mini Series) | John Hancock |
| 1979 | The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (TV Movie) | Thurston Howell III |
| 1979 | Angels' Brigade | Cmdr. Lindsey March |
| 1979 | Sweepstakes (TV Series) | Major Adams |
| 1978 | The Gift of the Magi (TV Movie) | Henry Peabody |
| 1978 | Flying High (TV Series) | Man |
| 1978 | Rescue from Gilligan's Island (TV Movie) | Thurston Howell III |
| 1978 | Good Guys Wear Black | Doorman |
| 1977 | What's New, Mr. Magoo? (TV Series) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1977 | Have I Got a Christmas for You (TV Movie) | Kevin Grady |
| 1977 | Pete's Dragon | The Mayor |
| 1977 | CHiPs (TV Series) | Weitzman |
| 1977 | Charlie's Angels (TV Series) | Iggy |
| 1977 | The Feather and Father Gang (TV Series) | Stanley Bunch |
| 1977 | Never Con a Killer (TV Movie) | Stanley Bunch |
| 1976 | Ark II (TV Series) | Arnie Pool |
| 1976 | ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series) | Dr. Flamel |
| 1975–1976 | Police Story (TV Series) | Pollack | Jake Mandel |
| 1975 | Friday Foster | Enos Griffith |
| 1974–1975 | The New Adventures of Gilligan (TV Series) | Thurston Howell III (voice) |
| 1975 | The Ghost Busters (TV Series) | Eric, the Red |
| 1975 | Ellery Queen (TV Series) | Howard Biggers |
| 1975 | The Humpbacked Horse | The Tsar (voice) |
| 1975 | Mobile One (TV Series) | Macklin |
| 1975 | Joe Forrester (TV Series) | Jake Mandel |
| 1975 | New Zoo Revue (TV Series) | Traveling Salesman |
| 1975 | Crazy Mama | Mr. Albertson |
| 1975 | Cop on the Beat (TV Movie) | Jake Mandel |
| 1975 | Gunsmoke (TV Series) | Reverend Sims |
| 1975 | Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV Series) | Herb Bresson |
| 1975 | Harry O (TV Series) | Ziggy |
| 1975 | Chico and the Man (TV Series) | Harold Erickson |
| 1974 | Goodnight Jackie | Mr. Landry |
| 1974 | Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (TV Movie) | Narrator | Santa Claus (voice) |
| 1974 | Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series) | Bill |
| 1974 | Mooch (TV Movie) | Jim Backus |
| 1971–1974 | The Brady Bunch (TV Series) | Harry Mathews | Zaccariah T. Brown |
| 1973 | Miracle on 34th Street (TV Movie) | Shellhammer |
| 1973 | The Girl Most Likely to... (TV Movie) | Tilson |
| 1973 | Medical Center (TV Series) | Dr. Danvers |
| 1973 | Mod Squad (TV Series) | Emile Wade |
| 1972 | Magic Carpet (TV Movie) | George Benson |
| 1972 | Of Thee I Sing (TV Movie) | Senator Robert F. Lyons |
| 1972 | Young Dr. Kildare (TV Series) | Jake Langley |
| 1972 | Now You See Him, Now You Don't | Timothy Forsythe |
| 1972 | Alias Smith and Jones (TV Series) | Joseph P. Sterling |
| 1972 | Getting Away from It All (TV Movie) | Mike Lorimar |
| 1970 | Love, American Style (TV Series) | Jerry (segment "Love and the Understanding") | Jerry Franks (segment "Love and the Marriage Counselor") |
| 1970 | Myra Breckinridge | Doctor |
| 1970 | The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County | Staunch |
| 1970 | Nanny and the Professor (TV Series) | Dr. Charles Walters |
| 1970 | I Dream of Jeannie (TV Series) | General Charles Fitzhugh |
| 1970 | Hollywood Magoo (TV Movie) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1970 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) | Guest Performer (uncredited) |
| 1968–1969 | Blondie (TV Series) | J.C. Dithers | Mr. Dithers |
| 1969 | Wake Me When the War Is Over (TV Movie) | Colonel |
| 1969 | Hello Down There | T.R. Hollister |
| 1969 | The Good Guys (TV Series) | Henry Arsdale |
| 1969 | The Wild Wild West (TV Series) | Fabian Swanson |
| 1968 | The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour (TV Series) | Smoky the Genie (voice) |
| 1968 | Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? | Tru-Blue Lou |
| 1968 | I Spy (TV Series) | Tom Mathews |
| 1968 | Daniel Boone (TV Series) | Will Scataway |
| 1967 | Accidental Family (TV Series) | Uncle Fred |
| 1963–1967 | Gilligan's Island (TV Series) | Thurston Howell III | Prince Charming | Captain Hook ... |
| 1967 | Damn Yankees! (TV Movie) | Benny Van Buren |
| 1967 | Hurry Sundown | Carter Sillens |
| 1965 | Billie | Howard G. Carol |
| 1965 | Fluffy | Sergeant |
| 1964–1965 | The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo (TV Series) | Mr. Magoo | Paul Revere | Merlin (voice) ... |
| 1965 | John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! | Miles Whitepaper |
| 1964 | Mr. Magoo in Sherwood Forest | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1963–1964 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Herkimer Witt | Pork Pie Hannigan | Harold Mason |
| 1964 | Espionage (TV Series) | McAvoy |
| 1964 | Arrest and Trial (TV Series) | Sam Thayer |
| 1964 | Advance to the Rear | General Willoughby |
| 1964 | The DuPont Show of the Week (TV Series) | Big Boss Buddy Foy |
| 1963 | The Wheeler Dealers | Bullard Bear |
| 1963 | Sunday in New York | Chief Pilot Drysdale |
| 1963 | It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World | Tyler Fitzgerald |
| 1963 | Johnny Cool | Louis Murphy |
| 1963 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Michael John McKane |
| 1963 | The Beverly Hillbillies (TV Series) | Marty Van Ransohoff |
| 1963 | My Six Loves | Sheriff |
| 1963 | Operation Bikini | Boatswain's Mate Ed Fennelly |
| 1963 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Marty |
| 1963 | Critic's Choice | Dr. William Von Hagedorn |
| 1963 | McKeever and the Colonel (TV Series) | J.C. Medbury |
| 1963 | A Child Is Waiting | Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited) |
| 1962 | The Lady and the Stock Exchange (Short) | Jess |
| 1962 | Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (TV Movie) | Ebenezer Scrooge | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1962 | The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm | The King ('The Dancing Princess') |
| 1962 | Zotz! | Horatio Kellgore |
| 1962 | Boys' Night Out | Peter Bowers |
| 1962 | The Horizontal Lieutenant | Cmdr. Jeremiah Hammerslag |
| 1962 | Follow the Sun (TV Series) | N.N. Nelson |
| 1960–1961 | The Jim Backus Show (TV Series) | Mike O'Toole |
| 1961 | Cain's Hundred (TV Series) | Karl Bigger |
| 1961 | The Errand Boy | Mr. Arbutt (voice, uncredited) |
| 1961 | Maverick (TV Series) | Joe Wheelwright |
| 1960 | I Was a Teenage Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1960 | Mister Magoo (TV Series) | Mr. Magoo (voice, uncredited) |
| 1960 | Inside Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Self |
| 1960 | The Bugs Bunny Show (TV Series) | Smoky the Genie (voice) |
| 1960 | The Danny Thomas Show (TV Series) | Jim Fletcher |
| 1960 | The Untouchables (TV Series) | William Norbert |
| 1960 | 77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) | Maury Samuels |
| 1960 | Ice Palace | Dave Husack |
| 1959 | Magoo Meets Frankenstein (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1959 | Magoo Meets Boing Boing (The Noise-Making Boy) (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1959 | 1001 Arabian Nights | Uncle Abdul Azziz Magoo (voice) |
| 1959 | The Big Operator | Cliff Heldon |
| 1959 | A Private's Affair | Jim Gordon |
| 1959 | Terror Faces Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1959 | The Wild and the Innocent | Cecil Forbes |
| 1959 | Ask Any Girl | Maxwell |
| 1959 | Magoo's Lodge Brother (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Police Officers | Bartender (voice) |
| 1959 | Merry Minstrel Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1959 | The Millionaire (TV Series) | Henry Banning |
| 1959 | Magoo's Homecoming (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1959 | Goodyear Theatre (TV Series) | Jim Cannaday |
| 1959 | Bwana Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1958 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Jerry |
| 1958 | Macabre | Police Chief Jim Tyloe |
| 1958 | Gumshoe Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Harold | Manager (voice) |
| 1958 | Love Comes to Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1958 | Magoo's Cruise (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1958 | Magoo's Three-Point Landing (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Air Traffic Controller | Sully (voice) |
| 1958 | The High Cost of Loving | Paul Mason |
| 1958 | The Explosive Mr. Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957–1958 | Studio One (TV Series) | Tim McTaggart | Father |
| 1958 | Scoutmaster Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1958 | Magoo's Young Manhood (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | Magoo's Private War (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | Magoo's Moose Hunt (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | The Pied Piper of Hamelin (TV Movie) | King's Emissary |
| 1957 | Eighteen and Anxious | Harvey Graham |
| 1957 | Rock-Hound Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | Magoo Saves the Bank (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna (TV Series) | Arthur Hutchins |
| 1957 | Magoo's Masquerade (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | Man of a Thousand Faces | Clarence Locan |
| 1957 | Magoo's Glorious Fourth (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | Magoo Breaks Par (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | Matador Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1956–1957 | Matinee Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | Climax! (TV Series) | Detective Herman |
| 1957 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Lucus Edgerton |
| 1957 | Magoo Goes Overboard (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1957 | Top Secret Affair | Col. Homer W. Gooch |
| 1956 | The Great Man | Nick Cellantano |
| 1956 | Meet Mother Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1956 | You Can't Run Away from It | Danker |
| 1956 | The Opposite Sex | Psychiatrist |
| 1956 | The Girl He Left Behind | Sgt. Hanna |
| 1956 | Magoo's Problem Child (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1956 | Conflict (TV Series) | Dandy Summers |
| 1956 | Warner Brothers Presents (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956 | Trailblazer Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Newspaper Boy (voice) |
| 1956 | Magoo's Puddle Jumper (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1956 | Magoo Beats the Heat (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1956 | The Naked Hills | Willis Haver |
| 1956 | Calling Doctor Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1956 | Magoo Goes West (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1956 | Magoo's Canine Mutiny (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1956 | Front Row Center (TV Series) | Harry Cooper |
| 1956 | Meet Me in Las Vegas | Tom Culdane |
| 1956 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Harry |
| 1956 | Star Stage (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955 | The Square Jungle | Pat Quaid |
| 1955 | TV Reader's Digest (TV Series) | George Johnson |
| 1955 | Magoo Makes News (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1955 | Rebel Without a Cause | Frank Stark |
| 1955 | Stage Door Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1955 | Francis in the Navy | Commander Hutch |
| 1955 | Madcap Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Driver (voice) |
| 1955 | Magoo Express (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1952–1955 | I Married Joan (TV Series) | Judge Bradley Stevens |
| 1955 | Magoo's Check Up (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1954 | Look Who's Driving (Short) | Charlie Younghead (uncredited) |
| 1954 | When Magoo Flew (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Pilot (voice) |
| 1954 | Destination Magoo (Short) | Mr. Magoo | 'Stinky' Cramshell (voice) |
| 1954 | Deep in My Heart | Ben Judson |
| 1954 | The Web (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954 | Kangaroo Courting (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1954 | Four Wheels, No Brakes (Short) | Television Quizmaster | New Car Salesman (voice, uncredited) |
| 1954 | Magoo Goes Skiing (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1953 | Mr. Magoo Cartoon Merry-Go-Round | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1953 | Geraldine | Jason Ambrose |
| 1953 | Magoo Slept Here (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Updyke (voice) |
| 1953 | Magoo's Masterpiece (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Miss Roxy (voice) |
| 1953 | Safety Spin (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1953 | I Love Melvin | Mergo |
| 1952 | Angel Face | District Attorney Judson |
| 1952 | Above and Beyond | Gen. Curtis E. LeMay |
| 1952 | Captains Outrageous (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Narrator (voice) |
| 1952 | Androcles and the Lion | Centurion |
| 1952 | Hotsy Footsy (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Charlie (voice) |
| 1952 | Pete Hothead (Short) | Lavery the Floorwalker | Mailman (uncredited) |
| 1952 | The Rose Bowl Story | Michael 'Iron Mike' Burke |
| 1952 | Pink and Blue Blues (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1952 | Don't Bother to Knock | Peter Jones |
| 1952 | Pat and Mike | Charles Barry |
| 1952 | The Dog Snatcher (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1952 | Deadline - U.S.A. | Jim Cleary |
| 1952 | Sloppy Jalopy (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Police Officer (voice) |
| 1952 | Here Come the Nelsons | Joe Randolph |
| 1951 | I Want You | Harvey Landrum |
| 1951 | Grizzly Golfer (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Second Mountain Man (voice) |
| 1951 | I'll See You in My Dreams | Sam Harris |
| 1951 | Fuddy Duddy Buddy (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice, uncredited) |
| 1951 | The Man with a Cloak | Flaherty |
| 1951 | His Kind of Woman | Myron Winton |
| 1951 | Iron Man | Max Watkins |
| 1951 | Hollywood Story | Mitch Davis |
| 1951 | Plutopia (Short) | Milton (voice, uncredited) |
| 1951 | Half Angel | Michael Hogan |
| 1951 | Bright Victory | Bill Grayson |
| 1951 | Barefaced Flatfoot (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Narrator (uncredited) |
| 1951 | M | The Mayor |
| 1951 | Bungled Bungalow (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice) |
| 1950 | Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy (TV Movie) | Magistrate Backus |
| 1950 | The Popcorn Story (Short) | Tycoon - Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1950 | Emergency Wedding | Ed Hamley |
| 1950 | The Killer That Stalked New York | Willie Dennis (uncredited) |
| 1950 | Trouble Indemnity (Short) | Mr. Magoo | Insurance Company Boss (voice) |
| 1950 | The Miner's Daughter (Short) | John Harvard (voice, uncredited) |
| 1950 | Customs Agent | Thomas S. Jacoby |
| 1950 | Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town | Joseph 'Little Joe' Rogers |
| 1950 | Spellbound Hound (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice, uncredited) |
| 1949 | Hollywood House (TV Series) | Hotel Manager |
| 1949 | A Dangerous Profession | Police Lt. Nick Ferrone | Narrator |
| 1949 | The Great Lover | Higgins |
| 1949 | Father Was a Fullback | Professor Sullivan (as James G. Backus) |
| 1949 | Ragtime Bear (Short) | Mr. Magoo (voice, uncredited) |
| 1949 | Easy Living | Dr. Franklin (as James Backus) |
| 1949 | The Windblown Hare (Short) | Big Bad Wolf - beginning scene (uncredited) |
| 1949 | One Last Fling | Howard Pritchard |
| 1948 | Where Will You Hide? (Short) | Narrator |
| 1948 | A-Lad-in His Lamp (Short) | Genie (voice, uncredited) |
