Jess Barker

Jess Barker (June 4, 1912 – August 8, 2000) was an American film actor of the 1930s and 1940s. He is probably most famous for being the first husband of actress Susan Hayward.

Jess Barker
Born(1912-06-04)June 4, 1912
Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedAugust 8, 2000(2000-08-08) (aged 88)
North Hollywood, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1943–1977
Spouse(s)
Susan Hayward
(m. 1944; div. 1954)
Children3

Early years

Barker was born in Greenville, South Carolina.[1]

Career

Barker began his film career credited as Philip Barker until changing his stage name to Jess Barker in the early 1940s.

Barker's movie career was damaged because of the publicity resulting from a custody dispute, but he still managed to find work as an actor on radio and films in supporting roles. Barker appeared in Scarlet Street (1945) and the Abbott and Costello film The Time of Their Lives (1946). He also made two guest appearances on Perry Mason. In 1961 he played defendant Walter Eastman in "The Case of the Injured Innocent," and in 1965 he played Doug Hamilton in "The Case of the Murderous Mermaid."

Personal life

Barker wed Susan Hayward on July 23, 1944.[2][3] They had twin sons together during their ten-year marriage, whose custody was won by Hayward after a bitter court battle.

In 1956, Barker lost a paternity suit in Los Angeles. Judge Walter H. Odemar ruled that Barker was the father of Morgana, a daughter born to actress Yvonne Doughty.[4] He died of liver failure.[1]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1936The Trail of the Lonesome PineMerd Falin
1943Good Luck, Mr. YatesOliver B. Yates
1943Government GirlDana McGuire
1944Cover GirlJohn Coudair as a Young Man
1944Jam SessionGeorge Carter Haven
1944She's a Soldier TooDr. Bill White
1945Keep Your Powder DryJunior Vanderheusen
1945Senorita from the WestTim Winters
1945This Love of OursChadwick
1945The Daltons Ride AgainJeff Colton
1945Scarlet StreetDamon Janeway
1946Girl on the SpotRick Crane
1946Idea GirlLarry Brewster
1946The Time of Their LivesThomas Danbury
1949Take One False StepArnold Sykes
1949Reign of TerrorSaint Just
1950The MilkmanJohn Carter
1953Marry Me AgainJenkins
1954Dragonfly SquadronDixon
1955Kentucky RifleDaniel Foster
1955Shack Out on 101Artie
1956Three Bad SistersGeorge Gurney
1956The PeacemakerEd Halcomb
1964Night WalkerMalone
1968The Green BeretsSoldierUncredited
1975Murph the SurfMuseum Guard
1977Sudden Death(final film role)

References
  1. Lentz, Harris M. III (2001). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2000: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9780786452057. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  2. "Persuaded Barker to Marry Her---Hayward". The Bakersfield Californian. June 18, 1954. p. 26. Retrieved April 24, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Susan Hayward and Jess Barker Wedded". The Piqua Daily Call. July 24, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved April 24, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Actor Jess Barker Loses Court Fight In Paternity Suit". Moberly Monitor-Index. December 28, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved April 24, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.


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