Honoring Jack Larson

by Christopher Brockow

When we hear or think of the character “Jimmy Olsen”, one person comes to mind... Jack Larson. All of us grew up watching the “Adventures of Superman” starring George Reeves, John Hamilton, Robert Shayne, Phyllis Coates, Noel Neill and of course Jack Larson.

Jack left us on September 20, 2015, and a chapter in our lives has closed. As a tribute and to honor his memory, I asked several friends who have met, knew and worked with Jack Larson a few questions.

Sit back and enjoy what Jack Larson meant to each to them.

Armand Vaquer:

Chris: When did you first meet Jack?

Armand: I first met Jack when we held the "Superman Week" ceremony at the L.A. County Board of Supervisors on July 10, 2001 and the luncheon that followed.

Chris: What kind of person was he?
Armand: He seemed quiet to some extent, initially. That was my impression. But once you engage him in conversation, he was like the Energizer Bunny. A great story-teller. He was a very gracious and funny person. Humor came naturally to him.

Chris: How did he feel about being Jimmy Olsen?
Armand: He was proud of it. It took him a while to come to terms with it. But with the passing years and a longer perspective that comes with them, he embraced it. He'd do it again, he said.

Chris: Jack did so much more than Jimmy Olsen. In your opinion, what was the best thing he did?|Armand: That's hard to say. He was a superb writer and producer.

Chris: Jack hosted Superman marathons for 4 years on Thanksgiving Day. Why did he stop?
Armand: I caught two years of WOR's marathons and those were fun. He might have continued on had WOR kept them up. At least, that's my feeling about them.

Chris: How did he like being on Superboy?
Armand: He had fun doing that, so I'd say yes.

Chris: How did he like being on Lois and Clark?
Armand: Like the Superboy show, he had fun with it.

Chris: How did he like being in Superman Returns?
Armand: I don't think he liked the long flights to Australia, but he enjoyed doing it. I think he appreciated the nods to the Adventures of Superman while doing the movie and the television shows. He said he would always "carry the banner" for George Reeves.

Chris: Jack seemed to appreciate his fans, was he always like that?
Armand: During my time knowing him, he appreciated his fans very much. He was moved by the expressions of joy that his work brought to his fans.

Chris: Any personal memories you would like to share?
Armand: Nothing that would be considered personal, but here's a true story. During the planning of "Superman Week" in 2001, L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich's deputy had to get a hold of Jack for something and didn't have his contact information. I didn't have it to give it to him. So, on a whim, he checked the White Pages phone book and saw a listing for a Jack Larson in Brentwood. So he gave the phone number a call. A very familiar voice answered. The deputy said, "Well, from the sound of your voice I know that I found the right man!" Jack, even while elderly, still sounded distinctly like Jimmy Olsen.

Paul Costello

Chris: When did you first meet Jack?
Paul: I first met Mr. Larson when The scout group I was part of was touring WCBS studios in NYC in 1967. He was still “Jimmy Olson” and while we didn’t know why he was there, he certainly shook 12 grubby hands and made us feel welcomed. I don’t remembering him saying anything profound, but I was sure glad to meet him. I got an autograph but I don’t think that even made it home with me.

Chris: What kind of person was he?
Paul: Mr. Larson always struck me as a very kind man, but there was an intensity about him that was just below the surface.

Chris: How did he feel about being Jimmy Olsen?
Paul: In 1975, I met Mr. Larson on the street in Manhattan, I asked him if he missed the roll of “Jimmy”, he remarked that Jimmy was good to him and that he met a lot of great people because of him.

Chris: Jack did so much more than Jimmy Olsen. In your opinion, what was the best thing he did?
Paul: Well, since you asked my opinion, the best thing that Mr. Larson did WAS doing the roll of Jim Olson. It gave him visibility and certainly made him recognizable.

Chris: Jack hosted Superman marathons for 4 years on Thanksgiving Day, why did he stop?
Paul: I would imagine that Mr. Larson was either not invited back or that he figured that the Superman marathon had run its course.

Chris: How did he like being on Superboy?
Paul: I have no idea.

Chris: How did he like being on Lois and Clark?
Paul: I read an interview at the time and he said that it was fun and he liked to connect with the characters of Superman again, even if it were a different Superman.

Chris: How did he like being in Superman Returns?
Paul: I had an opportunity to spend time with Sam Huntington, the Jimmy Olson of that film and he said that he and Mr. Larson had a good time, discussing the character and their experiences in the roll. Sam said that they both had fun.

Chris: Jack seemed to appreciate his fans, was he always like that?
Paul: From my seeing him on TAOS, to my two times meeting him, Mr. Larson seemed warm and friendly. I’m sure that he did appreciate his fans.

Chris: Any personal memories you would like to share?
Paul: Mr. Larson will always have a special place in my heart, as will the rest of the cast of Superman. May he rest in peace.

John Field

Chris: When did you first meet Jack?

John: I first met Jack in person at the Cleveland Superman Expo in 1988. I had talked to him on the phone a few years before that.

Chris: What kind of person was he?

John: He was a very soft spoken man. He was extremely intelligent and had a very dry and amusing sense of humor. He appreciated a good conversation on many topics.

Chris: How did he feel about being Jimmy Olsen?

John: Originally after the show wrapped and he found himself typed, he kind of rebelled against Jimmy Olsen. After 15 or so years, he realized how beloved a character Jimmy was, and co-incidentally how beloved he was as an actor.

Chris: Jack hosted Superman marathons for 4 years on Thanksgiving Day, why did he stop?

John: He stopped hosting the Superman marathons because of change in who ran the t.v. station, and was simply not asked back.

Chris: How did he like being on Superboy?

John: Jack and Noel both enjoyed being asked to take part in any new incarnation of the character of Superman on t.v. or in the movies. Gerard Christopher was particularity honored to have Jack and Noel on Superboy, because he was/Is a huge fan of the original Superman series.

Chris: How did he like being in Superman Returns?

John: Jack and Noel were payed what they thought was a good paycheck for SUPERMAN RETURNS. It was only after taxes and other fees, that they realized it was about $10,000.

Chris: Jack seemed to appreciate his fans, was he always like that?

John: Jack never had a problem with fans. Until one fan accidentally ran a sharpie on one of Jack's favorite coats. He never could get the stain out, and that coat was worth a pretty penny. He was more cautious of how close fans got to him after that.

Chris: Any personal memories you would like to share?

John: All of my interactions with Jack were very pleasant. He was a genuine gentleman, and all around nice guy. Humble, he stated once: "It is so nice to be remembered these many years later, when so many have been forgotten".

P.S. The best thing that Jack did, was the many charities he set up that most people are unaware of.

Peter Gould

I can really only answer two of your questions as I never had the pleasure to meet Jack.

Chris: How did he like being on Superboy?
Peter: I remember when the episode of "Paranoia" was filming because there was this buzz around the studios that Jack Larsen and Noel Neil form the original series "The Adventures Of SUPERMAN" was going to be on the show! I had worked on a few episodes of the series and when I found out about this one, I tried REALLY hard to get cast onto that particular episode, but, sadly, it was not to be. I know that everyone who came into contact with and worked with Jack just gushed about how wonderful he was!

Chris: Any personal memories you would like to share?
Peter: I'm almost 44 years old and although I was born in 1971, I grew up with the Adventures Of Superman like all of the kids in the 50's and 60's before me. Albeit in reruns! Jack was always there. He was a "friend" and someone you could identify with. As much as I wanted to be, I knew I could never be SUPERMAN, but maybe I COULD be his Pal, just like Jimmy! I've worked in the entertainment industry in one form or another for all of my adult life. I know that this isn't real and that these are just actors. I GET that. But when I heard the news of Jack's passing, it kinda took the wind out of me and I was surprised at how badly I was taking it. I know it sounds hokey, but I actually started to tear up as i read the news. I reacted the same way you would when you discovered that a close friend or a family member had died. Come to think of it, one did.

Michael Prince

Chris: When did you first meet Jack?

Michael: At Celebration 2014 last August.

Chris: What kind of person was he?

Michael: Soft spoken, kind -- a true gentleman.

Chris: How did he feel about being Jimmy Olsen?

Michael: From his interactions with the fans and his remarks that day, he seemed to have finally embraced his history with the character.  When he spoke at the plaque dedication, in reference to initially accepting the role, he said emphatically, "... and thank God I did!"

Chris: Jack did so much more than Jimmy Olsen. In your opinion, what was the best thing he did?

Michael: At the risk of slighting his many other accomplishments (no offense, Jack!), I think Jimmy Olsen was his crowning achievement.  I say that because, out of everything he did, it affected (and continues to affect) the greatest number of people in a positive way.  Jimmy was an endearing -- and enduring -- character. One who seemed like everyone's sweet, but trouble prone little brother.  It was Jack's talent and charm that made this so.  In addition, the role showcased Jack's skills as a fine comedian. I wish, after Superman was over, that he could have had the opportunity to pursue more roles that gave him a chance to play comedy.

Chris: Jack seemed to appreciate his fans, was he always like that?

Michael: I only know that he did not do much publicity during the run of the show, but I understand from what I've read that it was from fear of typecasting, rather than any issue with fans.  After he had made his mark in other areas, such as writing, I think that he allowed himself to enjoy the love that fans of his acting had for him. Still, he did not appear at as many fan events as someone like Noel Neill. Jack struck me as an intensely private individual, so I can see how the adulation of a crowd could become overwhelming to him at times. At Celebration, however, he seemed to bask in it.

Chris: Any personal memories you would like to share?

Michael: My wife Amanda and I were talking with Gail McIntyre at the luncheon. We were all wishing we could approach Jack, to speak with him, get an autograph or a picture. However, we did not want to bother him. Soon we saw that Jack was interacting with fans. After Gail checked with Jim Nolt to make sure it was okay, we did get our chance, and he was very gracious, despite what had already been a long day for him. I will always be grateful to Jack for sharing his time with us. It was the highlight of a wonderful weekend, and a moment I'll never forget.

Hilary Roberts Grant

Chris: When did you first meet Jack?

Hilary: I first met Jack when I was producing a segment on the death of George Reeves for Unsolved Mysteries. Jim Nolt was on that segment as well, so, he can give you an exact year!

Chris: What kind of person was he?

Hilary: Always very classy and friendly.

Chris: How did he feel about being Jimmy Olsen?

Hilary: Well, he told the story he has told so often... that he did the show because he was told no one would ever see it. He was an actor/writer in NYC at the time, and when the show came out, he talked about eating in his favorite luncheonette and suddenly, everyone was recognizing him as Jimmy.  It was a shock to him!

Chris: Jack did so much more than Jimmy Olsen. In your opinion, what was the best thing he did?

Hilary: He and his late partner set up some sort of scholarship at UCLA. Also, after realizing that he would always be typecast as Jimmy Olsen, he embraced it (like Dawn Wells from Gilligan’s Island) instead of fighting it (like Tina Louise from Gilligan’s Island) and then spent a good part of the rest of his life writing, and with his partner, producing films. I think he felt really lucky to have ever been recognized in this business for anything, because he knew how competitive it was.

Chris: Jack hosted Superman marathons for 4 years on Thanksgiving Day, why did he stop?

Hilary: Oh, that would have been really fun to attend! I know nothing about that.

Chris: Jack seemed to appreciate his fans, was he always like that?
Hilary: He certainly appreciated being part of our show!

Chris: Any personal memories you would like to share?

Hilary: Months after the segment aired, I invited him to a birthday party (not mine) at my little bungalow in West Hollywood.  He showed up with a book about Marlon Brando that he signed... thinking it was my birthday.  Jim Beaver came as well, but Cecily, his wife, was working, so, it was solo on Jim’s part.

Jim Nolt

Chris: When did you first meet Jack?

Jim: I first met Jack at the Superman Exposition in Cleveland in 1988. And as Hilary noted, I first got to spend time with him in 1995 when we appeared together on Unsolved Mysteries.

Chris: What kind of person was he?

Jim: I found Jack to be kind and warm, and a man who knew many of Hollywood's greats. He did not like technology, however. If ever I sent him a DVD, he needed to have his neighbor switch the TV from cable to the DVD player and vice versa. Jack seemed to be loyal to his friends and especially loyal to his canine companions. His biggest concern at the luncheon in August, 2014 was that Charlie would not need to be alone too long.

Chris: How did he feel about being Jimmy Olsen?

Jim: He was always happy to talk to me about his role as Jimmy and remarked often how many good acting tips he picked up from the great guest stars on Superman. He especially appreciated tips from Sterling Holloway.

Chris: Jack did so much more than Jimmy Olsen. In your opinion, what was the best thing he did?

Jim: That is difficult for me to answer because I'm not well versed in all his other endeavors. If you mean other television/movie roles, well then I especially enjoyed his appearance on “Law and Order” in which his character's name was “Dewey.” He agreed to do that show only on the condition they use that name... which also happened to be the name of his canine companion at the time.

I also enjoyed his “Superboy” appearance with Gerard Christopher and his role in “Fighter Squadron.”

Chris: Jack hosted Superman marathons for 4 years on Thanksgiving Day, why did he stop?

Jim: I think those marathons came to an end, and he was not asked to do them anymore.

Chris: How did he like being on Superboy?

Jim: He very much enjoyed his roles on “Superboy, “Lois & Clark,” and “Superman Returns.” Those roles brought attention to him, his current work, and the older series.

Chris: Jack seemed to appreciate his fans, was he always like that?

Jim: It think it's well known that for a time, immediately after “Adventures of Superman” ended he “hid” from the series. But that's only natural. He wanted to do more, but if he had taken every opportunity afforded to him to talk about his previous work, he'd never have a chance to talk about his current and future endeavors. Once he had proven himself, then he could allow himself the luxury of basking in everything he had done in the past.

Chris: Any personal memories you would like to share?

Jim: I've told this story before, but I enjoy remembering it. On the day we taped/filmed our segment for “Unsolved Mysteries” in the summer of 1995, Michael Hayde, Jim Beaver, Jack, and I were sitting in the garage of the house where the segment was taped enjoying a catered lunch. I looked across the table at Jack, and it just seemed so unbelievable to me. There was Jack Larson, the same Jack Larson I first watched on television four decades before, the same Jack Larson who kept me in front of that television even when my mom told me my supper was getting cold, the same Jack Larson I was now able to call a friend. I'm afraid I must have stared for a few moments, because Jack turned to me and said, “Jim, are you feeling all right?” And then he gave that boyish grin. I suspect he knew what I was thinking.

And I'll never forget the finest compliment he ever paid to me. A few days after the luncheon where he was reunited with John Hamilton's son, he phoned to say, “Jim, that was extraordinary thing you did. Thank you.” It couldn't get any better than that.

Posted: September 29, 2015
Jim