Kerwin Mathews


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Kerwin Mathews

Mathews as Jack the Giant Killer
Born January 8, 1926(1926-01-08)
Seattle, Washington, USA
Died July 5, 2007 (aged 81)
San Francisco, California, USA
Occupation Actor
Years active 1954 -1978

Kerwin Mathews (January 8, 1926 – July 5, 2007) was an American actor best known for playing the titular heroes in The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958), The Three Worlds of Gulliver (1960) and Jack the Giant Killer (1962).

Contents

Life and career

Mathews was born in Seattle, Washington, USA and was 2 years old when moved with his divorced mother to Janesville, Wisconsin. He attended Janesville High School, graduating in 1943. Mathews said that "a kind high school teacher put me in a play, and that changed my life."[1] According to a classmate, he was a "handsome rascal".[2]

After serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he attended and performed at nearby Milton College for two years before transferring to Beloit College on drama and music scholarships. He remained at Beloit three years after graduation teaching speech and dramatic arts and appeared in regional theater. He also taught high school English in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.[1]

After moving to Los Angeles in 1954, Mathews acted at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he met the head of casting for Columbia Pictures, leading to a seven-year studio contract.[1] He appeared in several action/adventure and fantasy films of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Although he felt typecast, he "looked fondly" on his Hollywood career, with his favorite role being Johan Strauss, Jr. in the Disney two-part telefilm The Waltz King (1963).[2]

He retired from acting in 1978 and moved to San Francisco, where he ran a clothing and antiques shop.[2] He died in his sleep in San Francisco on July 5, 2007 at the age of 81. He leaves behind his partner of 46 years, Tom Nicoll.[1] The City of Janesville subsequently renamed a one-block street adjacent to the former Janesville High School "Kerwin Mathews Court". The renovated building now houses the Janesville Performing Arts Center.[3]

Filmography

Television

† Pilots for unsold series

Film

‡ OSS 117 film

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Kerwin Mathews, 81; fantasy film hero". Los Angeles Times (2007-07-10). Retrieved on 2007-07-13.
  2. ^ a b c Brian Reisinger (July 17, 2007). "Janesville residents remember famed actor", The Janesville Gazette. Retrieved on 18 July 2007. 
  3. ^ Ann Fiore (October 9, 2007). "Street to be renamed to honor local actor", The Janesville Gazette. Retrieved on 9 October 2007. 

External links







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