Jim Backus

Jim Backus was a famous American actor. He is renowned for his role in the television series The Square Jungle and Gilligan's Island. He had also performed in radio shows, 'The Jack Benny Program and 'The Mel Blanc Show' as a voice actor. Jim Backus started his career with radio before making his movie debut. Backus started his acting career with the role of Dexter Hayes in society girl. Later he acted in the movie "Where will you hide" and "A-LAD in his lamp" as a voice actor. He got recognition from the popular animation character Mr. Magoo.

Backus also played Thurston Howell III's character, which later got featured in Forbes Magazine's list of fifteen richest fictional characters. For many years he repeated the role of Thurston Howell III in the popular TV series. Rescue from Gilligan's Island(1978), The Castaways on Gilligan's Island, and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island are his series. He played the role of a rich man in almost every episode of the series. Later he decided to do something different and played the role of Frank Star in the drama movie Rebel Without a Cause' (1955).

Backus was married twice. His first wife was actress Betty Kean; they lived together for three years. He tied the knot with Henny Backus in 1943. He loves playing golf and has participated in various golf tournaments in the USA. Backus had Parkinson's disease for several years. He passed away on July 3, 1989, due to complications caused by pneumonia. Later in 1999, his wife Henny wrote a book. 'Care for the Caretaker' where she revealed the struggle of Backus Parkinson disease.