Age, Biography and Wiki

Jim Backus (James Gilmore Backus) was born on 25 February, 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., is an American actor (1913–1989). Discover Jim Backus's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 76 years old?

Popular As James Gilmore Backus
Occupation Actor
Age 76 years old
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Born 25 February 1913
Birthday 25 February
Birthplace Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Date of death 3 July, 1989
Died Place Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 February. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 76 years old group.

Jim Backus Height, Weight & Measurements

At 76 years old, Jim Backus height is 5′ 10″ .

Physical Status
Height 5′ 10″
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Jim Backus's Wife?

His wife is Betty Kean (m. 1939-1942) Henny Backus (m. 1943)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Betty Kean (m. 1939-1942) Henny Backus (m. 1943)
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Jim Backus Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Jim Backus worth at the age of 76 years old? Jim Backus’s income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. He is from United States. We have estimated Jim Backus's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Actor

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Timeline

1913

James Gilmore Backus (February 25, 1913 – July 3, 1989) was an American actor.

Backus was born February 25, 1913, in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Bratenahl, Ohio, an East Side suburb of Cleveland located on the Lake Erie shore, surrounded by the city on three sides.

He was the only son of Russell Gould Backus and Daisy Taylor (née Gilmore) Backus.

His older sister was Katherine Jane Backus.

He attended Shaw High School in East Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from University School in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

1940

Backus was acting on radio as early as 1940, playing the role of millionaire aviator Dexter Hayes on Society Girl on CBS.

He had an extensive career and worked steadily in Hollywood over five decades, often portraying characters with an "upper-crust", New England-like air, much like his best-known role, Thurston Howell III on Gilligan's Island.

1949

He appeared in (and narrated) A Dangerous Profession (1949); Deadline – U.S.A. (1951) with Humphrey Bogart; Pat and Mike (1952) with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn; Rebel Without a Cause (1955); The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957); and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963).

1950

In the late 1950s, he made two novelty 45 rpm records, "Delicious" and "Cave Man".

1952

Henny Backus, Jim's wife, recalled the story: "Jim was in the 1952 film Don't Bother to Knock, with Marilyn Monroe. He came home one night during the filming and told me that Miss Monroe in her most seductive breathy voice asked him to meet her in her dressing room. His curiosity got the better of him and he went. Once there, she exclaimed like an excited child, 'Do Mr. Magoo!' And Jim did."

He frequently could be heard on primetime radio programs in the postwar era, including The Jack Benny Program, and he portrayed an exceedingly vain character named Hartley Benson on The Judy Canova Show on the CBS Radio Network, as well as a similar character named Hubert Updike on The Alan Young Show on the NBC Radio Network.

Backus costarred in the comedy show I Married Joan from 1952 to 1955, portraying the husband of Joan Davis.

In stark contrast to his usual affluent characters, he guest-starred on The Brady Bunch as an old gold prospector, a role he also played on a Gilligan's Island episode.

He also had a role in the final season episode "The Hustler" in which he plays Mike's boss, Mr. Matthews.

1957

He also starred on the short-lived variety program The Jim Backus Show on the ABC Radio Network in 1957 and 1958, when that network changed its name to the American Broadcasting Network (ABN) and tried out a "Live and Lively" format of "Big Time Radio" with orchestras and audiences.

1960

Among his most famous roles were Thurston Howell III on the 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island, the father of James Dean's character in Rebel Without a Cause, the voice of the near-sighted cartoon character Mr. Magoo, the rich Hubert Updike III on the radio version of The Alan Young Show, and Joan Davis' character's husband (a domestic court judge) on TV's I Married Joan.

He also starred in his own show of one season, The Jim Backus Show, also known as Hot Off the Wire.

He was inducted to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

1962

He also made television appearances on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).

Backus was the voice of the nearsighted cartoon character Mr. Magoo.

Years later, when Backus was a frequent talk show guest, he would recount the time Marilyn Monroe urgently beckoned him into her dressing room.

1963

In Bowl 'Em Over with GE Bulbs (1963), a Cinécraft Productions sales training film made for the GE Large Lamp Division, Backus introduces the Mr. Magoo Soft White light bulb TV advertising campaign for Fall 1963.

For the first time, General Electric commercials would be shown in color on prime-time TV shows, including the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

1964

An avid golfer, Backus made the 36-hole cut at the 1964 Bing Crosby Pro-Am tournament.

Backus appeared on Gilligan's Island for all three seasons of its run, 1964 to 1967, and later in reunion TV films made between 1978 and 1981.

By the third and final film, The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island, Backus was suffering from Parkinson's disease and his participation was limited to a cameo appearance.

Backus also returned as the voice of Mr. Magoo in various revivals between 1964 and 1977, which included The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo and What's New, Mr. Magoo?.

1965

Backus and his wife, Henny Backus, co-wrote several humorous books, including: ...Only When I Laugh, his autobiography, Backus Strikes Back, a memoir, Forgive Us Our Digressions: An Autobiography, and What Are You Doing After the Orgy? — the title taken from a line Backus spoke in the 1965 film John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! He also co-wrote the 1971 family film Mooch Goes to Hollywood, about a dog that tries to become a movie star.

1970

He was also spokesman for La-Z-Boy furniture during the 1970s.

1971

Backus also played the voice of God in the recording of Truth of Truths, a 1971 rock opera based on the Bible.

Backus acted in several television commercials.

As Mr. Magoo, he also helped advertise the General Electric line of products over the years.

1974

In 1974, a full-length comedy LP album was released on the Doré label under the title The Dirty Old Man, with sketches written by Bob Hudson and Ron Landry, who also appear on the album, along with voice-actress Jane Webb.

1975

Backus played Reverend Sims in the 1975 "Brides and Grooms" episode of Gunsmoke.

1977

He also appeared in "Never Con a Killer" (1977), the pilot for the ABC crime drama The Feather and Father Gang.

1980

In the late 1980s, he was reunited with former co-star Natalie Schafer in an advertisement for Orville Redenbacher's popcorn.

They reprised their roles from Gilligan's Island, but instead of still being shipwrecked, the setting was a luxurious study or den.

This would be the final TV appearance for both actors, who were in frail health.

1981

In 1981, he and his wife Henny appeared in an episode of The Love Boat.

In it, he had one line in his four scenes.