James Bacon (May 12, 1914 – September 18, 2010) was an American author and journalist who also worked as an actor in film and television. He wrote historical accounts of his years observing Hollywood and a biography of

Jackie Gleason John Herbert Gleason (February 26, 1916June 24, 1987) was an American actor, comedian, writer, composer, and conductor known affectionately as "The Great One." Developing a style and characters from growing up in Brooklyn, New York, he was know ...

Life and career

Bacon was born in

Buffalo, New York Buffalo is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of New York (behind only New York City) and the seat of Erie County. It is at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River, and is across the Canadian border from South ...

. He attended the

University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame du Lac, known simply as Notre Dame ( ) or ND, is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, outside the city of South Bend. French priest Edward Sorin founded the school in 1842. The main campu ...

from 1933–1936, dropping out during his senior year in order to help his parents, who had recently lost their home in a flood. He earned his degree in journalism in 1943 from

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

and then served in the Navy. After leaving the Associated Press in 1966, he wrote briefly for ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' and then for 17 years for The ''

Los Angeles Herald-Examiner The ''Los Angeles Herald Examiner'' was a major Los Angeles daily newspaper, published in the afternoon from Monday to Friday and in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays. It was part of the Hearst syndicate. It was formed when the afternoon ' ...

''. He had published a weekly column in ''Beverly Hills'' 13magazine since 1996. Although a columnist by trade, Bacon appeared in numerous films, generally in walk-on cameos, often as reporters or newsmen. He appeared in all five films in the 'Planet of the Apes' series, becoming the only actor to do so. He portrayed an ape in each of the films with the exception of ''

Escape from the Planet of the Apes ''Escape from the Planet of the Apes'' is a 1971 American science fiction film directed by Don Taylor and written by Paul Dehn. It stars Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Bradford Dillman and Ricardo Montalbán. It is the third of five films in the or ...

'', in which he played a human, General Faulkner. This was the only film of the 'Ape' series in which he was credited. Bacon penned three books in the 1970s and 1980s. His first book, ''Hollywood is a Four Letter Town'', was published in 1977. Its sequel, ''Made in Hollywood'', was published in 1978. Bacon wrote a biography on

, which was published in 1985, entitled ''How Sweet It Is: The Jackie Gleason Story''. In 1999, Bacon was the subject of an ''

E! True Hollywood Story ''E! True Hollywood Story'' is an American television documentary series on E! that pulls back the curtain and highlights some of pop culture's most fascinating people, moments and trends. The series offers exclusive interviews with new insigh ...

'' episode. Bacon received star on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...

on April 6, 2007.

Death

Bacon died in his sleep from

congestive heart failure Heart failure (HF), also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a syndrome, a group of signs and symptoms caused by an impairment of the heart's blood pumping function. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, a ...

on September 18, 2010, aged 96.''New York Daily News'' obituary (with photo)
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Selected filmography

*''

Black Tuesday The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known as the Great Crash, was a major American stock market crash that occurred in the autumn of 1929. It started in September and ended late in October, when share prices on the New York Stock Exchange colla ...

'' (1954) .... Reporter at Electrocution (uncredited) *'' The Boss'' (1956) .... Himself (uncredited) *''

Teacher's Pet Teacher's pet is a person that has an advantageous position compared to other students, where the teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or v ...

'' (1958) .... Himself (uncredited) *''

Al Capone Alphonse Gabriel Capone (; January 17, 1899 – January 25, 1947), sometimes known by the nickname "Scarface", was an American gangster and businessman who attained notoriety during the Prohibition era as the co-founder and boss of the ...

'' (1959) .... Reporter (uncredited) *''

The Big Circus ''The Big Circus'' is a 1959 film starring Victor Mature as a circus owner struggling with financial trouble and a murderous unknown saboteur. It was produced and cowritten by Irwin Allen, later known for a series of big-budget disaster films. Pl ...

'' (1959) .... Himself - Reporter (uncredited) *'' The Rebel'' (1960, TV Series) .... Dude *''

Pay or Die ''Pay or Die'' is a 1960 American biographical and crime film directed by Richard Wilson and starring Ernest Borgnine, Zohra Lampert, Howard Caine, Alan Austin, and Robert F. Simon. The film is a dramatization of the career of New York City poli ...

'' (1960) .... Subway Guard (uncredited) *'' College Confidential'' (1960) .... Himself - Reporter *'' The Roaring 20's'' (1960, TV Series) .... Jim *''

Pepe Pepe is a pet form of the Spanish name José (Josep). It is also a surname. * People Mononyms * Pepe (footballer, born 1935), real name José Macia, Brazilian footballer *Pepe (footballer, born 1983), real name Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira ...

'' (1960) .... Bartender (uncredited) *''

Cry for Happy ''Cry for Happy'' is a 1961 American CinemaScope comedy film directed by George Marshall (director), George Marshall and starring Glenn Ford and Donald O'Connor. It is a service comedy set in Japan and largely filmed there. The title song is sung ...

'' (1961) .... Press Correspondent (uncredited) *''

Underworld U.S.A. ''Underworld U.S.A.'' (also known as ''Underworld USA'') is a 1961 American neo-noir crime film produced, written, and directed by Samuel Fuller. It tells the story of a 14-year-old boy who goes to enormous lengths to get revenge against the mob ...

'' (1961) .... Newspaperman (uncredited) *''

The Big Bankroll ''King of the Roaring 20s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein'' is a 1961 American, biopic, drama, crime film directed by Joseph M. Newman, produced by Samuel Bischoff and starring David Janssen, Dianne Foster, Diana Dors and Jack Carson. During the ...

'' (1961) .... Investment Man (uncredited) *''

The Oscar The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

'' (1966) .... Reporter (uncredited) *'' Way... Way Out'' (1966) .... Reporter (uncredited) *''

Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...

'' (1968) .... Ape (uncredited) *''

The Big Valley ''The Big Valley'' is an American Western drama television series that originally aired from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969 on ABC. The series is set on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California, from 1884 to 1888. The one-hour e ...

'' (1969, TV Series) .... Hotel Clerk *''

80 Steps to Jonah ''80 Steps to Jonah'' is a 1969 American drama film directed by Gerd Oswald, written by Frederick Louis Fox, and starring Wayne Newton, Jo Van Fleet, Keenan Wynn, Diana Ewing, Mickey Rooney and Sal Mineo. It was released by Warner Bros. in Dece ...

'' (1969) .... Hobo *'' Skullduggery'' (1970) .... Commentator *''

Beneath the Planet of the Apes ''Beneath the Planet of the Apes'' is a 1970 American science fiction film directed by Ted Post and written by Paul Dehn. It is the second of five films in the original ''Planet of the Apes'' series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. The film stars Jam ...

'' (1970) .... Ape (uncredited) *Men From Shiloh, the rebranded name of '' The Virginian'' (1970, TV Series) ... 2nd Reporter *''

'' (1971) .... General Faulkner *'' The Seven Minutes'' (1971) .... Reporter (as Jim Bacon) *''

Adam-12 ''Adam-12'' is an American television police procedural crime drama television series created by Robert A. Cinader and Jack Webb. The series follows Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers Pete Malloy and Jim Reed as they patrol the stre ...

'' (1971, TV Series) .... Newsman *''

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes ''Conquest of the Planet of the Apes'' is a 1972 American science fiction film directed by J. Lee Thompson and written by Paul Dehn. It is the fourth of five films in the original ''Planet of the Apes'' series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. The fil ...

'' (1972) .... Ape (uncredited) *''

Night Gallery ''Night Gallery'' is an American anthology television series that aired on NBC from December 16, 1970, to May 27, 1973, featuring stories of horror and the macabre. Rod Serling, who had gained fame from an earlier series, ''The Twilight Zone'', ...

'' (1972, TV Series) .... Reporter *''

Battle for the Planet of the Apes ''Battle for the Planet of the Apes'' is a 1973 American science fiction film directed by J. Lee Thompson. It is the fifth and final installment in the original ''Planet of the Apes'' series, produced by Arthur P. Jacobs, following ''Conquest of ...

'' (1973) .... Gorilla Soldier (uncredited) *''

Sssssss ''Sssssss'' (released as ''Ssssnake'' in the United Kingdom and Japan) is a 1973 American horror film starring Strother Martin, Dirk Benedict and Heather Menzies. It was directed by Bernard L. Kowalski and written by Hal Dresner and Daniel C. S ...

'' (1973) .... Spectator (uncredited) *'' The Outfit'' (1973) .... Bookie *''

Planet Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surface ...

'' (1974, TV Movie) .... Partha * ''

How to Seduce a Woman ''How to Seduce a Woman'' is a 1974 American comedy film, directed by Charles Martin. It stars Angus Duncan, Angel Tompkins, and Alexandra Hay, and was released in late January 1974. Plot synopsis Employees of a well-off con man and lady's man ...

'' (1974) .... Himself *''

Half a House ''Half a House'' is a 1976 American comedy film directed by Brice Mack, produced by Lenke Romanszky and released theatrically in the U.S. by Rampart Releasing. It stars Anthony Eisley and Pat Delaney as a separated married couple who divide up liv ...

'' (1975) .... Jordan's client *''

Tunnel Vision Tunnel vision is the loss of peripheral vision with retention of central vision, resulting in a constricted circular tunnel-like field of vision. Causes Tunnel vision can be caused by: Eyeglass users Eyeglass users experience tunnel vision t ...

'' (1976) .... Gene Scallion *'' The Last Hard Men'' (1976) .... Deputy Jetfore *'' High Velocity'' (1976) .... Monroe *'' The Legend of Frank Woods'' (1977) .... Cowboy *''

Viva Knievel! ''Viva Knievel!'' is a 1977 American action film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Evel Knievel (as himself), Gene Kelly and Lauren Hutton, with an ensemble supporting cast including Red Buttons, Leslie Nielsen, Cameron Mitchell, Frank G ...

'' (1977) .... Reporter (uncredited) *''

Rollercoaster A roller coaster, or rollercoaster, is a type of amusement ride that employs a form of elevated railroad track designed with tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions. Passengers ride along the track in open cars, and the rides are o ...

'' (1977) .... Reporter (uncredited) *''

The Amazing Howard Hughes ''The Amazing Howard Hughes'' is a 1977 American made-for-television biographical film about American aviation pioneer and filmmaker Howard Hughes, based on the book ''Howard: The Amazing Mr. Hughes'' by Hughes' business partner Noah Dietrich. T ...

'' (1977) .... Himself (as Jim Bacon) *''

Capricorn One ''Capricorn One'' is a 1978 British-produced American thriller film in which a reporter discovers that a supposed Mars landing by a crewed mission to the planet has been faked via a conspiracy involving the government and—under duress—the c ...

'' (1977) .... Reporter Number 4 *''

Mean Dog Blues ''Mean Dog Blues'' is a 1978 American drama film directed by Mel Stuart. It stars Gregg Henry and Kay Lenz. Plot After hitchhiking a car ride with a drunken politician and his seductive wife, Paul Ramsey, a singer, offers to take the rap in cour ...

'' (1978) .... Court Clerk *''

Sextette ''Sextette'' is a 1978 American musical comedy film directed by Ken Hughes and released by Crown International Pictures. It stars Mae West, alongside an ensemble cast including Timothy Dalton, Dom DeLuise, Tony Curtis, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Ge ...

'' (1978) .... Reporter *''

Good Guys Wear Black ''Good Guys Wear Black'' is a 1978 American martial arts action film starring Chuck Norris and directed by Ted Post. This was the second film to feature Norris as the star, following ''Breaker! Breaker!'' (1977). However, this is the one that No ...

'' (1978) .... Senator *''

The One Man Jury ''The One Man Jury'' (released as ''The Loner'' on UK video) is a 1978 American neo-noir film directed by Charles Martin (1910-1983) and starring Jack Palance, Christopher Mitchum, Pamela Shoop, and Cara Williams. Plot Jim Wade (Jack Palance) i ...

'' (1978) .... Reporter *''

South by Southwest South by Southwest, abbreviated as SXSW and colloquially referred to as South By, is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and Convention (meeting), conferences organized jointly that take place in m ...

'' (1978, TV Series) .... Reporter *''Cat in the Cage'' (1978) .... Police Captain *''

Meteor A meteoroid () is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space. Meteoroids are defined as objects significantly smaller than asteroids, ranging in size from grains to objects up to a meter wide. Objects smaller than this are classified as micr ...

'' (1979) .... News Reporter *''

The Man with Bogart's Face ''The Man with Bogart's Face'' (also called ''Sam Marlowe, Private Eye'') is a 1980 American comedy film, released by 20th Century Fox and based on a novel of the same name. Andrew J. Fenady, author of the novel, produced the film and wrote the s ...

'' (1980) .... Reporter *''

Underground Aces ''Underground Aces'' is a 1981 film directed by Robert Butler and starring Dirk Benedict and Melanie Griffith.http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/underground-aces-v51753 The plot revolves around a group of misfits who park cars in a hotel's unde ...

'' (1981) .... Businessman #2 *''

Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen ''Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen'' is a 1981 comedy–mystery film directed by Clive Donner that stars Peter Ustinov, Angie Dickinson and Lee Grant. Plot Retired detective Charlie Chan is asked for his help by the San Francisco p ...

'' (1981) .... Reporter at Clinic *'' The Longshot'' (1986) .... Track Usher *'' Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter'' (1986) .... Vet (final film role)

References

External links

* *
Notre Dame Magazine Spring 2003 Issue
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bacon, James 1914 births 2010 deaths American biographers American male biographers American columnists American male film actors American memoirists American reporters and correspondents American male television actors University of Notre Dame alumni Associated Press reporters Writers from Buffalo, New York American film historians Syracuse University alumni American male journalists Journalists from New York (state)