- He was introduced into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame in 1995. Dean was one of Disney's biggest stars in the 1960s and 70s. He appeared in 10 films for the company, including That Darn Cat! (1965), Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977).
- A born-again Christian, Dean Jones has appeared successfully in the one-man show "Saint John in Exile," which he subsequently filmed as St. John in Exile (1986).
- Known chiefly as one of Disney's main movie stars in the 60s & 70s, along with Fred MacMurray and Kurt Russell.
- In 1970, Dean Jones was a star in Hollywood and also on Broadway in two very distinctly different genres. In films, Jones was the lead in hugely successful Disney movies, holding his own against scene-stealing co-stars that included a cat ("That Darn Cat!"), dog ("The Ugly Dachshund") and a Volkswagen ("The Love Bug.") But on the New York stage that year, he was the star of the Stephen Sondheim landmark musical "Company" -- that examined adult relationships amid the fevered pace of urban life -- performing the pivotal role of "Bobby". Despite his success, however, Jones' personal life was a shambles. He left "Company" shortly after the opening and was drawn to self-destructive behavior. Later, he had a religious conversion -- that altered the course not only of his life but also his career choices. "I won't blaspheme God," he told Christianity Today in 2009. "That immediately eliminates most scripts." Jones is best known for his light comedies, often as the somewhat bumbling good guy, and that was OK with him. "I had no illusions that I would ever play 'Hamlet,'" Jones told USA Today in 1997. Dean Jones (84) died on a Tuesday, the 1st of September, 2015, in Los Angeles. His publicist, Richard Hoffman, reported the cause was Parkinson's disease.
- Dean was considered for the role of Lex Luthor in Superman (1978), but the role ultimately went to Gene Hackman.
- Though primarily known for his work in films, especially Disney family comedies, Jones created the role of "Robert" (or "Bobbie") in Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical, "Company", which explored modern relationships. However, Jones only played the role for a few weeks before he dropped out due to personal problems, so short a time that his replacement, Larry Kert, received the nomination for Best Actor in A Leading Role for the show, rather than Jones.
- Survived by his wife Lory, two daughters Caroline Jones, and Deanna Demaree from his first marriage and a son Michael Patrick (Lory's son by a previous marriage, whom Jones adopted), eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
- Made 3 movies with Suzanne Pleshette: The Ugly Dachshund (1966), Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) and The Shaggy D.A. (1976).
- Was friends with Michele Lee and Angela Lansbury.
- Reprised his role of Jim Douglas in a "Herbie" TV movie in the late 1990s.
- Attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky in the early 1950s, but did not graduate.
- With his depression growing and his marriage coming apart, Jones left his role as "Bobby" in Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical smash Broadway hit "Company." Returning to Los Angeles, he told interviewers that he had been ill, and he went back to making Disney feature films. But he remained on the same disturbing path until 1973, while in a touring production of the musical "1776," he underwent a personal conversion. He continued to work in films and television, though not as much. And he was sometimes critical of Hollywood. "Film and television have been partially responsible for the disconnect between our nation and our God, he told Christianity Today. Jones did appear in the Tom Clancy thriller "Clear and Present Danger" and in the drama/comedy "Other People's Money." Jones took on several religion-themed projects, including his touring one-man show "St. John in Exile" that was also filmed. Though Jones was serious about his religious messages, he enjoyed getting laughs. "I'm remembering a time when I was on stage in a theater or in the back row of a movie house, and heard people laugh at some silliness I did, and how I felt humbled to be able to bring laughter to people," Jones told Christianity Today, "because, unless I'm sadly mistaken, you can't laugh and remember your problems at the same time." Dean Jones is survived by his second wife, Lory Basham Jones; daughters Caroline Jones and Deanna Demure; son Michael Patrick (Lory's son by a previous marriage, whom Jones adopted); eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
- The Disney archives donated a number of Dean's costumes from "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo" and "Blackbeards Ghosts" to Asbury University to be placed in a permanent exhibition in the Miller Center for Communication Arts media building. Dean attended Asbury.
- Dean was a spokesperson to help raise money for the Miller Center for Communication Arts at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. The lobby of the building is named after he and his wife Lori.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content