Gordon Jones was a popular American actor who starred in many films and TV shows, including the role of The Green Hornet in the first movie serial based on the radio program. He was also known for playing Lou Costello’s nemesis Mike the Cop in The Abbott and Costello Show. But how did Gordon Jones die and what was his cause of death? Here is what we know about his life and death.
Early Life and Career
Gordon Jones was born on April 5, 1912, in Alden, Iowa. He was a student athlete and a star football guard at the University of California, Los Angeles. He also played professional football for a few seasons before pursuing an acting career. He made his film debut in 1933 and soon landed a contract with RKO Radio Pictures. He appeared in many films, mostly in supporting roles, such as Let ‘Em Have It, Red Salute, The Green Hornet, My Sister Eileen, and Flying Tigers. He was a member of John Wayne’s informal acting company and appeared in several of his films, such as Big Jim McLain and Island in the Sky. According to Wikipedia, Jones held a reserve commission in the Army and was called into service after filming Flying Tigers in 1942. He resumed his acting career after the war and continued to work in films and television throughout the 1950s.
The Abbott and Costello Show
One of Jones’ most memorable roles was as Mike the Cop in The Abbott and Costello Show, a comedy series that ran from 1952 to 1954. Jones played the hulking, loud-voiced antagonist of Lou Costello, who often got into trouble with him. The show was produced for only two seasons, but it became a classic and was frequently rerun and released on DVD. Jones’ comic villain persona was a perfect foil for Costello’s antics and the two had great chemistry on screen.
Gordon Jones Cause of Death
Jones died unexpectedly of a heart attack on June 12, 1963, at the age of 51. He was in Tarzana, California, at the time of his death. He had just finished filming his role as a sheriff in the comedy film McLintock!, which starred John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. The film was released five months after his death and was dedicated to his memory. Jones left behind a legacy of over 100 film and TV appearances and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was survived by his second wife and his son. According to AOL, Jones had previously been married to a former Playboy model, Stephanie Adams, who killed herself and their 7-year-old son in 2018 by jumping from a hotel in New York City. The couple had been involved in a bitter custody battle over their son. Jones’ cause of death was a tragic end to a successful and versatile career. He was a talented actor who could play both serious and comedic roles with ease. He will always be remembered as The Green Hornet and Mike the Cop, among other memorable characters.
