Currently, the name of Jack Cassidy is rarely mentioned in the media, and a rare modern viewer knows where and when this actor played. Nevertheless, this is a very significant figure in the world of cinema, and many fans continue to remember his colorful roles, despite the fact that this talented American passed away more than forty years ago.
Early years and awards
Jack Cassidy, who was named John Joseph Edward at birth, was born in East New York on March 5, 1927. Subsequently, he became famous as an actor in cinema, theater and television. The father of the future celebrity was Irish by birth, and his mother was German. The family lived on the modest wages of their father, who worked on the Long Island Railroad.
The actor's career began in the Broadway theater. The directors involved a sixteen-year-old boy in the musical by Mike Todd. Success was not long in coming, and soon many television and theater directors drew attention to the talented guy. work in one ofmusicals brought the actor a Tony Award. In addition, in the biography of Jack Cassidy there was a place and nominations for the Emmy Award for filming in television productions of The Andersonville Trial and He & She.
Television and Colombo
During his career, the talented American often took part in the filming of various television films. Many viewers remember Cassidy from the Colombo series of projects, in which he brilliantly portrayed villains over the years. It is noteworthy that in the first episode of the debut season of this legendary series, he became the first killer that the extraordinary detective played by Peter Falk had a chance to face.
The episode was titled "Murder by the Book" and was filmed by Steven Spielberg as a co-writer. Subsequently, Jack Cassidy again appeared before the audience in this television show (episode No. 22), playing a character who was also related to literature. In episode 36, he appeared as an illusionist who tried to hide a special secret under his pseudonym. Of course, in the filmography of Jack Cassidy there were many other interesting works. He has acted in such films as The Personal File of John Edgar Hoover, The Eiger Sanction, The Blue Diadem, Bunny O'Hare, He and She and so on.
Private life
According to the recollections of others, in the life of a celebrity there were many connections, but he was married only twice, and both times to actresses. His first wife was Evelyn Ward, who gave birth to a son in marriage. Subsequently, David Cassidy reached considerable heights inmusic and cinema, becoming even more popular than his father. In 1956, the actor divorced Evelyn and a few months later married Shirley Jones. The family had three sons: Ryan, Patrick and Sean. After 18 years of marriage, Jack and Shirley finally terminated their union.
Shortly before parting, the wife began to notice many oddities in the actions of the actor, and soon even the neighbors began to gossip about his frightening behavior. Due to a series of inexplicable antics, he was placed in a psychiatric clinic for several days. Shirley later revealed that her husband had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Years later, David Cassidy mentioned in his autobiography that his father was often depressed and overindulged in alcohol.
Death
After separating from his wife, Cassidy began to live alone in West Hollywood. Friends regularly visited his apartment, located in a luxurious penthouse, and often the company remained until the morning. Subsequently, Shirley Jones told the media how on December 11, 1976, the ex-husband called and offered to keep him company the coming evening. After some deliberation, she refused the actor, and Jack Cassidy went to an Italian restaurant alone. Closer to the night, he returned to his apartment tipsy, and in the morning the rescuers found the charred corpse of a celebrity. As it was possible to establish, the cause of the fire that broke out of the apartment of the television star was an unextinguished cigarette. For some time, relatives assumed that the corpse found in the apartment belonged to someone else, because near the housethere was no Jack's car, but a thorough examination completely dispelled these hopes.
According to Cassidy's will, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Several projects in which the charismatic American starred appeared on the screens after his tragic death.
