Jack Weston was a versatile and prolific actor who appeared in dozens of films, television shows, and Broadway plays. He was known for his comedic roles as well as his dramatic ones, and he earned a Golden Globe nomination and a Tony nomination for his performances. He died on May 3, 1996, at the age of 71, after a six-year struggle with lymphoma. Here is a look at his life, career, and cause of death.
Early Life and Career
Jack Weston was born Morris Weinstein on August 21, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio. He developed an interest in acting at a young age and joined the Cleveland Playhouse’s youth program. He also performed in school plays at Parkwood Elementary, Patrick Henry Jr. High, and Glenville High School.
He served in the Army during World War II, mostly in Italy with the 34th Infantry Division. After the war, he returned to Cleveland and met Marge Redmond, another local actress. They moved to New York and got married in 1950.
Weston studied acting with Lee Strasberg at the American Theatre Wing and began his career on stage and television. He made his Broadway debut in 1956 in Bells are Ringing, opposite Judy Holliday. He also appeared in The Ritz, California Suite, One Night Stand, and The Floating Light Bulb, for which he received a Tony nomination in 1981.
Film and Television Roles
Weston made his film debut in 1958 in Stage Struck, directed by Sidney Lumet. He went on to work with some of the most acclaimed directors and actors of his time, such as Steve McQueen, Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, and Woody Allen.
Some of his notable film roles include:
- A crook who terrorizes a blind Hepburn in Wait Until Dark (1967)
- A gambler who challenges McQueen in The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
- A detective who pursues Beatty in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
- A gay bathhouse owner who hides Arkin from the mob in The Ritz (1976), for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination
- A dentist who goes on vacation with Alan Alda and Carol Burnett in The Four Seasons (1981)
- A resort manager who hires Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing (1987)
- A CIA agent who teams up with Hoffman and Beatty in Ishtar (1987)
Weston also had a prolific television career, appearing in shows such as Perry Mason, Route 66, The Fugitive, The Hathaways, The Twilight Zone, The Love Boat, Murder She Wrote, and Golden Girls. He starred in the TV adaptation of The Four Seasons in 1984.
Personal Life and Death
Weston divorced Redmond in the late 1970s and married Laurie Gilkes in 1993. They had one child together.
Weston was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1990 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He continued to work until 1988, when he appeared in his last film, Short Circuit 2.
He died on May 3, 1996, at his home in New York City. He was survived by his wife, son, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew.
Jack Weston was a talented and beloved actor who left behind a legacy of memorable performances. He will always be remembered for his humor, charm, and versatility.
