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Jonathan Hale
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Birthname:
Jonathan Hatley
Born:
March 21,
1891 in Ontario, Canada
Died: February 28, 1966 in Woodland Hills, California, USA
Cause of Death: Suicide by Gunshot
Biography
Photos
Biography:
Hale had a long
film career and appeared in over 200 films. He was a member of
the Canadian diplomatic service prior to his film career, and his
proper (yet firm) manner eased him into a character actor career
playing a variety of corporate executives, military officers, and
high-level politicians. Of course, he was a natural choice to
play J.C. Dithers, his best known role. It's interesting that
this taller, slender gentleman was chosen to play a character, who in
his comic strip form, was short and fat. Still, Hale did a
remarkable job of playing Dithers. Dithers was a tough, grouchy,
and somewhat cruel boss to well-meaning Dagwood, but at times he was
compassionate and sort of a friend to the entire Bumstead family.
His life ends on a sad note. In 1966,
distraught over personal
problems and past the point of no return, Jonathan Hale shot himself to
death. An unworthy end to a prominent man's life. He was 74
years old.
I would like to know more about Hale's life and
death. If anyone
out there reading this knows more about the details please contact
me. If you would like, you
will be given credit on this website.
Photos:
From "Blondie Goes
Latin" (1941).
That white suit he wears looks slick!