Jack Cassidy

Jack Cassidy Headshot

Actor • Singer • Theater Director

Birth Date: March 5, 1927

Death Date: December 12, 1976

Birth Place: Richmond Hill, New York

Children: David Cassidy, Shaun Cassidy, Ryan Cassidy

Grandchildren: Katie Cassidy

A star of stage and television for over two decades, actor Jack Cassidy embodied the vainglorious, self-absorbed side of his profession in a series of Tony-winning and Emmy-nominated turns that made him a much-loved performer until his tragic death. Cassidy's rich, mellifluous voice and fair-haired good looks made him a popular leading man on Broadway in the late 1940s and early '50s, where he met his first wife, dancer Evelyn Ward, who would give birth to their son, future pop star David Cassidy. While appearing in a production of "Oklahoma!" Cassidy met Shirley Jones, who became his second wife and mother to sons Shaun, Patrick and Ryan, who would all follow in their parents' showbiz footsteps. Television gave Cassidy his biggest showcase, and he would net an Emmy nod for his turn as an egotistical actor on the critically acclaimed "He & She" (CBS, 1967-68). His performance set the tone for future, more substantive roles in features and television, though personal problems, including bouts with alcoholism and mental illness, began to erode his career in the mid-1970s. Cassidy remained active on the small screen until late 1976, when a fire in his West Hollywood apartment claimed his life. He left behind an acclaimed body of work in three mediums, as well as a cache of amusing and accomplished performances that underscored his status as one of the busiest and most appreciated actors of his generation.

Credits

The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover

Actor
Damon Runyon
Movie
1978

Circus of the Stars

Self
Ringmaster
TV Show
1977

Benny and Barney: Las Vegas Undercover

Actor
Jules Rosen
Movie
1977

Dean's Place

Guest
TV Show
1976

Colombo: L'illusionista

Actor
Santini
Movie
1976

W.C. Fields and Me

Actor
John Barrymore
Movie
1976

Columbo : Tout n'est qu'illusion

Actor
Movie
1976

Dean's Place

Guest
TV Show
1975

The Eiger Sanction

Actor
Miles Mellough
Movie
1975

Mrs. R

Actor
Chico Donovan
Movie
1975

Colombo: Un killer venuto dal Vietnam

Actor
Riley Greenleaf
Movie
1974

The Phantom of Hollywood

Actor
Otto Vonner/Karl Vonner
Movie
1974

Barnaby Jones

Guest Star
TV Show
1973

Fools, Females and Fun

Actor
Danny Holliday
Movie
1973

A Time for Love

Actor
Movie
1973

Your Money or Your Wife

Actor
Josh Darwin
Movie
1972

ColumboStream

Guest Star
The Great Santini
TV Show
1971

Cannon

Guest Star
Gen. James O'Hara
TV Show
1971

Powder Room

Actor
Star
TV Show
1971

Alias Smith and Jones

Guest Star
TV Show
1971

Columbo: le livre témoin

Actor
Movie
1971

Colombo: Un giallo da manuale

Actor
Ken Franklin
Movie
1971

Bunny O'Hare

Actor
Lieutenant Greeley
Movie
1971

Night Gallery

Actor
TV Show
1970

Night Gallery

Guest Star
TV Show
1970

The Mary Tyler Moore ShowStream

Guest Star
Hal Baxter
TV Show
1970

McCloud

Guest Star
TV Show
1970

Andersonville Trial

Actor
Otis Baker
TV Show
1970

Annie, the Women in the Life of a Man

Actor
TV Show
1970

George M!

Actor
Jeremiah "Jerry" Cohan
Movie
1970

The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County

Actor
Roger Hand
Movie
1970

Love, American Style

Actor
Chuck Fuller
TV Show
1969

The Governor & J.J.

Guest Star
Mark Ellison
TV Show
1969

Jack Cassidy's St. Patrick's Day Special

Actor
Star
TV Show
1969

Mod Squad

Guest Star
Perry Lemko
TV Show
1968

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InStream

Guest
TV Show
1968

The Carol Burnett ShowStream

Guest
TV Show
1967

He & She

Actor
Oscar North
TV Show
1967

The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.Stream

Guest Star
TV Show
1966
11%

That GirlStream

Guest Star
TV Show
1966

The John Gary Show

Self
TV Show
1966

Get SmartStream

Guest Star
TV Show
1965

I SpyStream

Guest Star
TV Show
1965

BewitchedStream

Guest Star
Rance Butler
TV Show
1964

The Lucy ShowStream

Guest Star
TV Show
1962

Alfred Hitchcock HourStream

Actor
TV Show
1962

The Chapman Report

Actor
Ted Dyson
Movie
1962

Mr. Magoo's Christmas CarolStream

Voice
Bob Cratchit
Movie
1962

Look in Any Window

Actor
Gareth Lowell
Movie
1961

Surfside 6

Guest Star
TV Show
1960

Hawaiian Eye

Guest Star
TV Show
1959

BonanzaStream

Guest Star
TV Show
1959

77 Sunset Strip

Guest Star
Dick Arnador
TV Show
1958

Bronco

Guest Star
TV Show
1958

Wagon TrainStream

Guest Star
TV Show
1957

Alfred Hitchcock PresentsStream

Actor
TV Show
1955

GunsmokeStream

Guest Star
Marcus France
TV Show
1955

Marshal Dillon

Guest Star
TV Show
1955

What's My Line?Stream

Guest
TV Show
1950

News about
Jack Cassidy